Located at the Hub’s facility in West Windsor, the accelerator will take advantage of New Jersey’s sectoral strengths in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, smart infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, financial services, energy, materials, telecommunications and logistics. Plug and Play will run selected cohorts each year that support and help startups at all stages.
The AI Accelerator will also leverage Plug and Play’s global reach, including our network of 100,000+ startups, more than 550 corporate partners, and 60 innovation hubs in over 25 countries. This network will be instrumental in attracting the top global AI startups to New Jersey, providing their teams with opportunities for collaboration and business development.
The NJ AI Hub was founded by partners Princeton University, the State of New Jersey, Microsoft, and CoreWeave, and will house an entrepreneur’s co-working space, education and workforce development efforts, and community events such as workshops and AI policy discussions. Plug and Play will run selected cohorts, including the inaugural one, for 10-12 weeks each year that support and help startups at all stages.
The Plug and Play partnership is the latest step forward in the NJ AI Hub’s development, following the recent announcement that the Hub will be one of two sites worldwide to host the Microsoft Discovery platform, an advanced agentic AI and cloud technology that promises to help accelerate the pace of cutting-edge research and scientific discovery.
The program concentrates much of the monthly in-person workshops/curriculum into a given week to capitalize on founders' time. These workshops are optional and programmed based on the needs identified by each founder in the accelerator onboarding process. Companies from MVP and onward (venture-backed, but no publicly traded companies) are eligible, with programming tailored to company stage. Space is provided for free during the program. Afterward, companies can apply for paid space at the coworking site, pending availability. For more information about the credits and perks we offer, click here.
Equity:
There is no equity taken for startups to participate in the program. There is no direct funding tied to participation, though some companies may receive funding.
NJ AI Hub Accelerator Focus Areas
Big Data + AI
Big data and AI are crucial in leveraging large language models (LLM), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), generative AI, synthetic data, and intelligent process automation (IPA), enabling organizations to extract valuable insights, drive innovation, and streamline operations. These technologies empower businesses to adapt to market demands effectively and stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Infrastructure + Information Technologies
Infrastructure and information technologies like cloud/edge computing, network visibility & management, and software-defined networking (SDN) are crucial for efficient operations. Additionally, advancements in cloud cost optimization, the internet of things (IoT), network function virtualization (NFV), and 5G are driving innovation and shaping the future of these industries.
Future of Work
The future of work is evolving rapidly, emphasizing the critical need for upskilling and reskilling to adapt to technological advancements. Corporate wellness programs have become essential to support employee well-being and productivity in this dynamic landscape. With the rise of the contingent workforce and robotic process automation (RPA), organizations are redefining traditional employment structures while enhancing employee benefits and leveraging collaboration technology and virtual/augmented reality tools for improved efficiency and innovation.
Customer Engagement
Customer engagement is paramount in leveraging insights from customer data analytics to drive personalized experiences. Efficient customer onboarding processes and chatbot and voice AI technologies ensure seamless interactions and enhance user satisfaction. Leveraging low-code customer experience (CX) solutions, the voice of customer feedback, and integrated mobile applications alongside marketing automation and social media management strategies can optimize customer engagement and foster long-term brand loyalty.
Cybersecurity
Ensuring cybersecurity is vital in the enterprise and AI industry. Key concepts such as zero trust, AI and ML security, cloud security, identity and access management (IAM), network security, IoT security, and development, security, and operations (DevSecOps) are crucial. Robust measures in these areas protect sensitive data, counter cyber threats, and uphold operational integrity. Taking a comprehensive cybersecurity approach is essential for building trust, driving innovation, and fortifying resilience in today’s digital landscape.
