The New Jersey Artificial Intelligence Hub announced Monday morning that it will
launch an AI Accelerator, powered by the global innovation platform Plug and Play,
early next year.
The AI Accelerator will aim to connect New Jersey’s AI startups and higher-ed-affiliated
entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and industry partner — and attract other world-
class startups to the state.
Located at the Hub’s facility in West Windsor, the accelerator will take advantage of
New Jersey’s sectoral strengths in health care, pharmaceuticals, smart infrastructure,
advanced manufacturing, financial services, energy, materials, telecommunications and
logistics.
Plug and Play, a California-based venture capital firm that is one of the most active
accelerators in the world, will run selected cohorts each year that support and help
startups at all stages.
Liat Krawczyk, the executive director of the NJ AI Hub, said 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,”
she said.
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.
Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play, said his 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,” he said. “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 said the program will offer startups a robust suite of services dedicated to scaling
AI ventures. This includes experienced mentorship, business model refinement, hands-
on workshops, access to funding, and high-value introductions.
The AI Accelerator also leverages Plug and Play’s global reach, including its network of
100,000-plus 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.
In addition to the AI Accelerator, the NJ AI Hub — founded by partners Princeton
University, the State of New Jersey, Microsoft, and CoreWeave — will house an
entrepreneur’s co-working space, education and workforce development efforts, and
community events such as workshops and AI policy discussions.
“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,” Princeton Provost Jennifer Rexford
said.
Tim Sullivan, the CEO of the N.J. Economic Development Authority, shared in the
excitement.
“Under Gov. 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,”
he said. “Plug and Play’s Accelerator Program will add to existing collaborations with
Microsoft, CoreWeave, and Princeton University to expand resources for entrepreneurs,
boost startup creation, and catalyze innovative technology development.”
The Hub’s partners agreed.
“CoreWeave was founded and built in New Jersey, so we know firsthand the depth of
talent here,” Corey Sanders, senior vice president of product, said.
“This accelerator gives local innovators the resources, mentorship and infrastructure
they need to flourish, and to innovate on both a national and global stage. We are proud
to help create a pathway for the next generation of AI builders in our home state.”
Mike Egan, general manager of Microsoft TechSpark, welcomed Plug and Play to the
team.
“Innovation flourishes when talented people are empowered with mentors and programs
that help unlock their full potential,” he said. “The NJ AI Hub Accelerator, powered by
Plug and Play, is a testament to New Jersey’s commitment to nurturing the next
generation of AI leaders. At Microsoft we’re proud to support this important work for
New Jersey innovators and beyond.”
Plug and Play already has a base in New Jersey.
It joined Stevens and Prudential to create NJFast, a FinTech accelerator that is houses
in Hoboken at Stevens and is one of the state’s 12 Strategic Innovation Centers.
