Inclusive Growth

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

The region’s innovation ecosystem brings together innovative local business builders, startups and pioneering enterprise level companies in a community that values inclusive entrepreneurial growth. Technologies are researched and developed, business models are nurtured, and entrepreneurs and innovators are empowered to thrive.

As part of that ecosystem, CenterState CEO helps entrepreneurs access programs, resources, funding, space, mentorship and events needed to start and grow successful businesses. Its dedicated business incubator, The Tech Garden, provides a suite of support for entrepreneurs and innovators at any stage of the business life cycle to help ensure the best chance for success. Our Inclusive Growth team also serves as a convener for the entrepreneurial community and strives for increased equity and inclusion within the innovation ecosystem. It does this through a suite of programs and resources to meet each entrepreneur where they are in their startup journey, regardless of industry.

 

Programs

GENIUS NY

GENIUS NY is the world's largest business accelerator competition for uncrewed systems, IoT and robotics startups.

The Clean Tech Center

The Clean Tech Center at The Tech Garden in Syracuse is a NYSERDA-funded initiative focused on supporting companies commercializing...

​Innovation Hot Spot

The Tech Garden is the designated Innovation Hot Spot for the Central New York region. The Hot Spot program is a five year tax incentive...

Grants for Growth

Grants for Growth is a long-standing CenterState CEO seed funding program that supports innovative applied research projects between...

Syracuse Surge Accelerator

The Syracuse Surge Accelerator is a one-year in-person accelerator to provide direct resources and support for BIPOC entrepreneurs.

Up Start

The Up Start business development program connects local, service based businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to the tools and networks that...

Growth + Equity Fund

The Growth + Equity Fund was developed by CenterState CEO in response to the need for more program options to address a spectrum of market...

Business Incubator: The Tech Garden

The Tech Garden is CenterState CEO's dedicated business incubator. Its mission is to stimulate high-tech entrepreneurship, foster the development of emerging growth companies, and support technology commercialization throughout the region. Startup technology businesses are offered entrepreneurial support with business plan assistance, mentoring and resources, marketing advice, targeted referrals, educational events and workshops, and networking opportunities. By providing affordable space, in addition to co-working space, for early-stage businesses, The Tech Garden helps the region foster growth and innovation.

Since 2005, The Tech Garden has served as the region’s entrepreneurial hub. It works collaboratively with several other ecosystem partners, including, CNY Biotech Accelerator, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Syracuse University and the Syracuse CoE, and InSourcing.

The Tech Garden is home to several programs designed to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses, including:

Learn more about our incubators, accelerators and R&D resources and partners.

Visit The Tech Garden Website
Image
 
Image
 

Resources

  • Ideation coaches
  • Mentor pool
  • Funding programs
  • Pitch coaches
  • Pre-seed workshops
  • Hackathons
  • Startup competitions
  • Vendor pool
  • Seminars
  • Investor connections  

Contact

The Tech Garden
235 Harrison Street
MAIL DROP #38
Syracuse, NY 13202
    Phone (315) 470-1969

         

Get in touch with members of our Innovation & Entrepreneurship program staff.

Image
 

John Liddy

Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Email me
Image
 

Dave Dalgety

Facilities Administrator

Email me
Image
 

Erik Jankowski

Small Business Manager

Email me
Image
 

Kara Jones

Director of GENIUS NY

Email me
Image
 

Beverly Mack

Operations Manager

Email me
Image
 

Emad Rahim

Syracuse Surge Entrepreneurship Manager

Email me
Image
 

Brad Banikowski

Investment Manager

Email me
Image
 

Brandon Mastrangelo

Senior Business Advisor

Email me

Related News & Events

Image
Syracuse Surge Accelerator Certainty Analytical Labs
CEO News | 11/29/2023

Syracuse Surge Accelerator-Meet the Teams: Certainty Analytical Labs

Meet Dr. Brandy Young, founder of Certainty Analytical Labs.

Image
Syracuse Surge Accelerator Clutch Delivery
CEO News | 11/22/2023

Syracuse Surge Accelerator-Meet the Teams: Clutch Delivery

Meet Celestin Abwe, founder of Clutch Delivery.

Image
Blueflite co-founders James McClearen and Frank Noppel with the GENIUS NY $1 million grand prize check.
CEO News | 10/05/2023

Governor Hochul Announces $1 Million Grand Prize Winner of GENIUS NY, the World’s Largest Accelerator for Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Blueflite Wins GENIUS NY $1 Million Grand Prize; Four Other Finalists Receive $500,000 Investments.

Image
Thank You Northland Communications graphic
CEO News | 08/31/2023

Northland Communications Provides Dedicated Internet for The Tech Garden

Northland Communication Theater is first named space within The Tech Garden.