SWFTLabs, a biotechnology startup focused on converting organic waste into sustainable materials, has secured an exclusive patent license agreement for its main technology from the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (SUNY). This agreement marks SWFTLabs’ move out of “stealth mode” and signals broader collaboration with inventors, industry partners, academic institutions, and the community.
The company’s development has been closely tied to Stony Brook University (SBU), where it began in the Long Island High Tech Incubator (LIHTI) and participated in projects with several university-affiliated centers. These include the Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR), the Center for Grid Innovation, Development and Deployment (GrIDD), and the Advanced Energy and Technology Center (AERTC). SBU students have contributed as interns and early-career professionals.
David W. Clausen, CEO and Co-Founder of SWFTLabs, said: “The facilities, talent pipeline, and entrepreneurial resources at Stony Brook have been instrumental in advancing our technology. They’ve empowered us to think bigger. That combination of research excellence and a powerful innovation engine has given us the foundation to scale, the confidence to lead, and the opportunity to shape new solutions that will drive a healthier planet and a stronger economy.”
Clausen also noted that access to specialized equipment at SBU’s facilities was key for critical tests. He added: “Working with facilities like LIHTI and AERTC has provided us with the space and, in some cases, the specialized equipment to perform critical tests and essential experiments.” Currently occupying six incubator spaces, SWFTLabs credits SPIR as helping create four new jobs this year.
Kevin Gardner, vice president for research and innovation at Stony Brook University, commented: “This milestone reflects the power of partnership between our faculty, students, and entrepreneurs. By moving discovery from the lab to the marketplace, SWFTLabs is helping to ensure that groundbreaking research directly benefits society and drives economic growth.”
Michael Kinch, chief innovation officer at SBU, stated: “SWFTLabs is a perfect example of how the right combination of talent, persistence, and support can turn world-class science into real-world solutions. Their success underscores the strength of our innovation ecosystem and its potential to transform industries.”
SWFTLabs’ technology focuses on turning agricultural byproducts into materials such as next-generation fertilizers without microplastics; biodegradable coatings; hydrogels; specialty biomaterials; as well as products potentially useful in energy storage or aerospace. The company’s foundation lies in research led by Benjamin S. Hsiao at Stony Brook University on nanocellulose fibers using a patented zero-waste process.
The patented process uses advanced chemistry to break down plant matter into building blocks within hours. It separates components usually discarded during processing—producing sterile nanocellulose fibers along with nutrient-rich byproducts suitable for soil application. The closed-loop system ensures all outputs are usable as fertilizer or materials.
Stony Brook’s Intellectual Property Partners worked with SWFTLabs on securing this license agreement. Clausen described it as “the springboard for SWFTLabs to scale our solutions,” adding: “We’re ready to step into the spotlight and promote our shared success with the world.”
To mark this milestone, SWFTLabs co-hosted a ribbon-cutting event with SBU on September 18 at Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT). The event introduced its zero-waste platform technology while highlighting partnerships within SBU’s innovation ecosystem.
Clausen concluded: “Our vision isn’t just about one company. We want to shine a spotlight on all the partners who helped make this possible… The combination of world-class research, entrepreneurial support, and a community that believes in innovation is exactly what makes Stony Brook such a powerful launchpad for companies like ours.”
Looking forward, SWFTLabs plans global expansion while maintaining local ties—including establishing a campus dedicated to eliminating PFAS chemicals through fiber-based alternatives.
