Governor Murphy and Princeton University President Eisgruber Announce Microsoft and CoreWeave as Founding Partners in NJ AI Hub

Rhea-AI Summary

Microsoft and CoreWeave have joined New Jersey state and Princeton University as founding partners in the NJ AI Hub, a collaborative ecosystem for AI innovation. The partners expect to invest over $72 million to support the hub's long-term success, including up to $25 million from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The hub, located at 619 Alexander Road in West Windsor, will focus on three main pillars: research and development in key industries like life sciences and clean energy, commercializing innovation through an AI accelerator program, and strengthening AI education and workforce development. Microsoft will leverage its TechSpark program, which has helped secure over $700 million in community funding and created 4,500 jobs across the US.

A portion of NJEDA's and CoreWeave's funding will include a planned NJ AI Venture Fund for equity investments in innovation commercialization.

Positive

• Secured $72 million in total investment commitment for the AI Hub
• Partnership with major tech companies Microsoft and CoreWeave
• Creation of new AI Venture Fund for equity investments
• Integration of Microsoft's successful TechSpark program

Negative

• NJEDA's $25 million commitment is non-binding
• Hub's operating budget support from NJEDA is pending board approval

Insights

Technology Investment Analyst

This strategic partnership marks a significant expansion of Microsoft's AI ecosystem on the East Coast, with several key implications for investors:

• The $72 million multi-partner investment, while modest relative to Microsoft's scale, represents a strategic foothold in establishing an East Coast AI innovation corridor that could rival existing tech hubs.
• The integration of Microsoft's TechSpark program, which has already facilitated over $700 million in community funding and created 4,500 jobs nationwide, provides a proven framework for talent development and local economic growth.
• The partnership with Princeton University and CoreWeave creates a powerful talent pipeline and research ecosystem that could accelerate Microsoft's AI innovations, particularly in key sectors like life sciences, clean energy and cybersecurity.
• The venture fund component suggests potential early access to promising AI startups and intellectual property, enhancing Microsoft's ability to identify and acquire emerging technologies.

The hub's focus on commercialization and workforce development could provide Microsoft with a competitive advantage in AI talent acquisition and retention on the East Coast, while the research collaboration with Princeton University adds significant intellectual capital to Microsoft's AI capabilities.

Economic Development Specialist

The NJ AI Hub's structure and funding model presents several compelling economic development aspects:

• The strategic location along Route 1's innovation corridor, coupled with Princeton's academic prestige, creates a powerful anchor for attracting additional AI-focused companies and investments.
• The three-pillar approach (R&D, commercialization and workforce development) addresses critical components for sustainable economic growth, particularly in high-wage tech sector jobs.
• The planned AI Venture Fund could catalyze startup activity and innovation commercialization, potentially creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for AI entrepreneurship.
• The focus on industry sectors with strong New Jersey footprints (life sciences, clean energy, telecommunications) leverages existing regional strengths and infrastructure.

The hub's emphasis on coordinated workforce development, including community college faculty training and industry-recognized credentials, suggests a comprehensive approach to building a sustainable AI talent pipeline. This model could serve as a blueprint for other regions seeking to develop AI innovation clusters.

Major Artificial Intelligence Hub Will Bolster State's Innovation Economy

Microsoft, CoreWeave, New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and Princeton University Expected to Invest Over $72 Million to Support the Long-Term Success of the Hub

TRENTON, N.J., Jan. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Phil Murphy and Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber today announced that Microsoft and CoreWeave will join the State and Princeton as founding partners in the NJ AI Hub. The NJ AI Hub will serve as a state-of-the-art, collaborative ecosystem that integrates world-class research, innovation, education, and workforce development. As part of this investment in the NJ AI Hub, Microsoft will leverage its TechSpark program to provide expertise and resources for AI skilling and workforce development to create opportunities for innovation in New Jersey and the region.

The NJ AI Hub will help position New Jersey as a leading East Coast center for AI innovation. It will be located along Route 1 — New Jersey's innovation corridor — at 619 Alexander Road in West Windsor, in space provided by Princeton University.

"As the AI industry rapidly evolves, it's imperative that we capitalize on this moment in New Jersey. I'm incredibly proud of this partnership with the top leaders in the industry and higher education, which further establishes our state as a hub for cutting-edge AI innovation and talent," said Governor Murphy. "AI's economic and innovation potential is vast, giving us the chance to take our state to new heights. This partnership will not only solidify New Jersey's position as a global technology leader, it will also attract high-paying, sustainable jobs for our residents, allowing for a stronger and more prosperous future for our state."

"The addition of Microsoft and CoreWeave as founding partners of the NJ AI Hub demonstrates how government, higher education and the corporate sector are coming together to advance AI innovation and the regional innovation ecosystem — two of Princeton's highest priorities," President Eisgruber said. "I'm eager to see many of the state's other excellent colleges and universities join this effort as its development continues."

"New Jersey has long been at the forefront of American innovation and AI is the next chapter of this journey," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. "By leveraging the strengths of the private sector, Princeton, and the state of New Jersey, our goal is to build a thriving regional AI economy that not only drives economic growth, but sets a new standard for research, development, and workforce development."

"This collaboration represents the best of what private-public partnerships can achieve, bringing together the brightest minds from government, academia, the business community, and our team of experts to foster groundbreaking AI innovation in New Jersey," said Brian Venturo, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at CoreWeave. "Together, we're advancing the future of technology while driving meaningful economic growth and strengthening New Jersey's role as a leader in the global AI landscape. New Jersey is our home, and we're excited to continue our partnership with the state by making it a leader in AI advancement."

"AI is rapidly evolving and New Jersey is capitalizing on this moment to cement our place as a national leader in the industry. By bringing together world-class leaders like Princeton, Microsoft, and CoreWeave, Governor Murphy is building upon the Garden State's longstanding legacy in innovation and helping advance cutting-edge AI technologies," said New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. "The opportunity presented by AI aligns with Governor Murphy's vision for cultivating high-growth sectors, with the goal of creating family-sustaining career opportunities. Showcasing New Jersey's bustling innovation community, talent pool, and robust resources will help AI companies recognize the state's value proposition for growing innovative companies of the future."

Microsoft, CoreWeave, the NJEDA, and Princeton University are founding equity partners in the newly created NJ AI Hub. Together, they expect to invest over $72 million to support the long-term success of the Hub, including up to $25 million of non-binding commitment from the NJEDA.

A portion of NJEDA's and CoreWeave's committed funding will include a planned NJ AI Venture Fund that will support innovation commercialization through equity investments.

Microsoft, CoreWeave, the NJEDA, and Princeton University will focus on the following three pillars of programming at the NJ AI Hub:

1. Research and development:
   The NJ AI Hub will help companies across a range of industry sectors integrate and apply AI in their businesses and use it to advance their research and development efforts. The Hub will focus on applications of AI in several industry sectors that have strong footprints in New Jersey such as the life sciences, clean energy and climate resilience, telecommunications and cybersecurity, and infrastructure and logistics. The NJ AI Hub will also actively engage New Jersey's research universities on applied research in AI and will host events to connect companies developing and using AI tools with cutting-edge research and potential collaborators.
2. Commercializing and accelerating innovation:
   An AI accelerator will be operated at the NJ AI Hub, which will help facilitate the growth of the early-stage AI ecosystem in New Jersey. The accelerator will host cohorts of startup ventures and will provide them with essential support services such as workspace, compute power, legal assistance, and business development advice. In addition, these startups will have coordinated access to the NJ AI Hub's corporate partners for mentorship and networking opportunities.
3. Strengthening AI education and workforce development:
   The Hub will work closely with New Jersey's higher education community to promote high-quality talent development at all levels and will leverage the resources of Microsoft's TechSpark program. By developing shared curricula, projects, and teaching tools for AI courses, training community college faculty in teaching AI, and creating upskilling opportunities to help workers across disciplines apply AI in their work, the Hub will coordinate efforts to build the State's pool of AI talent. Ongoing collaboration with employers will ensure that education and training programs are providing trainees with industry-recognized credentials and in-demand skills for the workforce. The NJ AI Hub will also be able to connect employers with opportunities to host AI apprenticeships, develop customized upskilling training for their workers, recruit talent from New Jersey schools for jobs and internships, and partner with project-based AI courses at the college and graduate level.

Through this new AI Hub, Microsoft will be bringing its TechSpark program to New Jersey. Founded in 2017, Microsoft TechSpark fosters inclusive economic opportunity across the US, including job creation and innovation, by working in communities and investing in local organizations. TechSpark operates across all 50 states and to date has helped secure more than $700 million in community funding for local innovation, trained 65,000 people in critical technology skills, and created 4,500 jobs.

Plans for an AI Hub were announced by Governor Murphy and President Eisgruber in 2023. Pending NJEDA Board approval, the NJ AI Hub will be supported through the NJEDA's Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) initiative. The NJEDA has executed a non-binding term sheet to support the NJ AI Hub's operating budget for up to five years. In total, the NJEDA is anticipated to invest up to $25 million to support the NJ AI Hub and the NJ AI Venture AI Fund.

For further updates, please visit the NJ AI Hub website at njaihub.org.

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.

FAQ

How much is the total investment commitment for the NJ AI Hub where MSFT is a founding partner?

The total investment commitment for the NJ AI Hub is over $72 million, with up to $25 million coming from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

What are the three main focus areas of the NJ AI Hub with MSFT?

The three main focus areas are: 1) Research and development in key industries, 2) Commercializing and accelerating innovation through an AI accelerator, and 3) Strengthening AI education and workforce development.

Where will the new MSFT-partnered NJ AI Hub be located?

The NJ AI Hub will be located at 619 Alexander Road in West Windsor, along Route 1 (New Jersey's innovation corridor), in space provided by Princeton University.

What is Microsoft's TechSpark program bringing to the NJ AI Hub?

Microsoft's TechSpark program will provide expertise and resources for AI skilling and workforce development. The program has historically helped secure over $700 million in community funding, trained 65,000 people, and created 4,500 jobs across the US.

What industries will the MSFT-supported NJ AI Hub focus on?

The hub will focus on AI applications in life sciences, clean energy and climate resilience, telecommunications and cybersecurity, and infrastructure and logistics sectors.