Mercer-Based NJ AI Hub Names 17 Startups To Accelerator

PRINCETON, NJ — Seventeen startups have been picked for the second cohort of the NJ AI Hub Accelerator in Mercer County, beating out a field of more than 200 applicants.

The accelerator, run by Plug and Play, announced the cohort on Wednesday. A panel of experts chose the companies at a Selection Day vote on Sept. 15.

Subscribe

Based at the NJ AI Hub's facility in West Windsor, the program connects startups and university-affiliated entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and industry partners. Participants also get access to Plug and Play's global network, which can open doors to pilots, partnerships and funding, according to the announcement.

The NJ AI Hub opened in March 2025 at 619 Alexander Road in West Windsor, in space provided by Princeton University. The university and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority are the hub's founding partners, with Microsoft and CoreWeave joining later. The founding partners committed more than $72 million to the hub's research, commercialization and workforce development efforts, Patch previously reported.

This cohort is focused on healthcare, life sciences, materials science, energy, robotics, logistics, workforce and enterprise AI.

"These founders could build anywhere, and they're choosing to build in New Jersey," said Brian Chol Soo Standen, director of innovation and partnerships at the NJ AI Hub. "That's a reflection of the talent, research, industry leadership, and entrepreneurial momentum that exist here today."

"Over the coming months, we'll focus on helping companies connect with the right partners, secure meaningful pilots, and accelerate their growth here in the state," Standen added.

Selection Day also drew corporate leaders, venture capital firms and regional partners who met the startups.

Over the next few months, the companies will work with the NJ AI Hub and Plug and Play networks to build ties with corporate partners, investors, academic institutions and others as they work to bring their products to market.

The startups will show off their work at an expo on Dec. 15. A location has not yet been announced.

Meet the second cohort:

• AIntropy: Building a knowledge foundation for next-generation world models and physical AI.

• Backline: AI agents that automatically deploy code and configuration changes at scale.

• CoReason: An AI platform that helps life sciences companies produce clinical, regulatory and commercial analyses.

• GlucoSynq: Uses AI to turn data from continuous glucose monitors into insights doctors can act on.

• Hill Research: An AI-powered contract research organization that automates clinical trial data work, from protocol design to FDA submission.

• Kled: A marketplace that pays people to upload photos, videos and other content, which it then licenses to AI companies for model training.

• Materium Technologies: An AI formulation engine for developing high-performance thin-film coatings.

• Nakato: A privacy layer that keeps sensitive data inside a customer's own system while public AI models work on a stand-in version.

• Nesture AI: An AI learning platform that helps children build the motor skills needed to communicate, using devices families already own.

• OppyAI: A privacy and security company whose AI chat product, Noir, and API use encryption so AI providers can't read users' prompts or responses.

• PBX Energy: An energy procurement and data analytics platform for data centers, industrial companies and other high-power users.

• PONS: An AI-based ultrasound platform for medical monitoring outside the hospital.

• Rightview: An AI platform that automates operations at clinical trial sites.

• Robossis: A surgical robotics company developing a system for orthopedic trauma and long-bone fracture repair.

• SkillsBridge: Combines work redesign and employee skill-building into one system built around AI.

• SyzOnc: An oncology drug-discovery company using human tissue models and AI to find new cancer treatment targets.

• Vault Robotics: Develops autonomous robots that carry packages from a delivery vehicle to a customer's door.

The NJ AI Hub created the accelerator with Plug and Play to strengthen New Jersey's standing in AI innovation. The program launched in March 2026, after the hub selected Plug and Play to run its regional accelerator.

More information is available on the NJ AI Hub Accelerator page.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com