The New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub has announced the launch of an AI Accelerator, set to begin operations early next year. The accelerator will be managed by Plug and Play, a global innovation platform. Its aim is to connect AI startups and entrepreneurs affiliated with higher education institutions in New Jersey with mentors, investors, and industry partners, as well as attract leading startups from around the world.
The facility for the accelerator will be located at the NJ AI Hub’s site in West Windsor. It is designed to build on New Jersey’s strengths across sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, smart infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, financial services, energy, materials, telecommunications, and logistics. Plug and Play will organize selected cohorts each year to support startups at different stages of development.
Liat Krawczyk, executive director of the NJ AI Hub, stated: “The AI Accelerator is a major step toward cementing New Jersey as a global center for innovation. Through this partnership with Plug and Play, we’ll unlock new technologies, forge powerful collaborations, and move AI breakthroughs from concept to real world impact.”
This initiative follows the recent announcement that the NJ AI Hub will host one of only two sites worldwide for Microsoft Discovery platform—a new agentic AI and cloud technology intended to accelerate research and scientific discovery.
Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play said: “Our team is committed to making New Jersey a global leader for AI. Due to its world-class research institutions, thriving talent base, and institutional support, all the pieces exist to bring this partnership to life. Michael Olmstead, Plug and Play’s CRO, is leading our expansion with the NJ AI Hub to build an ecosystem where the most promising AI founders can innovate, scale, and make a real-world impact.”
Amidi explained that participating startups would have access to mentorship programs focused on business model development through workshops as well as funding opportunities and introductions within Plug and Play’s extensive network.
Plug and Play operates a network including over 100,000 startups globally along with more than 550 corporate partners across 60 innovation hubs in more than 25 countries. This international reach is expected to help attract top-tier global startups into New Jersey’s growing technology sector.
Beyond launching the accelerator program itself—which was created by Princeton University alongside state government partners Microsoft and CoreWeave—the NJ AI Hub plans additional resources such as co-working spaces for entrepreneurs; educational programming; workforce development efforts; workshops; community events; and policy discussions about artificial intelligence.
Princeton Provost Jennifer Rexford commented: “We are excited that the partnership with Plug and Play will enable the NJ AI Hub to catalyze AI innovation, including opportunities for faculty and students to turn their novel ideas into successful products and companies.”
Tim Sullivan—CEO of New Jersey Economic Development Authority—said: “Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has strengthened its position as a national leader in AI innovation through forward-thinking initiatives like the NJ AI Hub. Plug and Play’s Accelerator Program will add to existing collaborations with Microsoft, CoreWeave, and Princeton University to expand resources for entrepreneurs,” he added.
Corey Sanders from CoreWeave noted: “CoreWeave was founded and built in New Jersey so we know firsthand the depth of talent here. This accelerator gives local innovators resources…to flourish…and innovate on both a national & global stage.”
Mike Egan from Microsoft TechSpark concluded: “Innovation flourishes when talented people are empowered with mentors & programs that help unlock their full potential… At Microsoft we’re proud to support this important work for New Jersey innovators & beyond.”
