Partners in Innovative Research

NYSERDA Brings Together Leaders in Clean Energy Business Development

Our Clean Energy Business Partners range from emerging to established companies who use innovative research and cutting edge technology to develop energy efficient and clean energy technologies. These companies have received support from NYSERDA to nurture and grow their ideas into a commercially viable product or process.

NYSERDA also brings together leaders in clean energy business development to give you the support you need. We have access to a diverse range of industry players such as:

Partners in Innovative Research

Incubators

Are you thinking of starting up a new business in energy efficiency or renewable energy? NYSERDA-funded incubator programs assist emerging clean technology companies and entrepreneurs through incubation, acceleration and retention with the goal of creating new businesses and increased employment opportunities in the growing clean energy economy. Some of the services they provide include mentoring, business plan assistance, networking opportunities, funding opportunities and on-site business resources.

Contact one of the following NYSERDA-funded cleantech incubators to learn more about how they can assist you:

iCLEAN in Albany
The Incubators for Collaborating and Leveraging Energy and Nanotechnology (iCLEAN) is a clean energy incubator program at the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE). CNSE is funded by a $1.5 million award from NYSERDA and an additional $1.5 million in private investment. The iCLEAN program expects to incubate 25 successful companies, with the potential for creating 125 jobs and investing nearly $125 million into the regional economy.

Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. at Stony Brook University
LIHTI is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping new innovative companies grow by providing them with a variety of support resources and services. Since its opening in 1992, LIHTI has been associated with more than 70 businesses. Forty-four companies have successfully graduated from the program, contributing over $2.5 billion to the national economy and creating jobs for more than 500 employees. In 2010, NYSERDA awarded LIHTI with $1.5 million over the next fours to accelerate the successful development of early-stage, clean energy technology companies on Long Island.

NYC Acre in Brooklyn
NYC Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (ACRE) is the cleantech/renewable energy initiative of NYU-Poly, seeded by a four-year, $1.5 million grant from NYSERDA. The incubator focuses on growing an ecosystem of entrepreneurs, international companies and innovative local businesses that provide solutions to climate and energy issues while growing the cleantech/renewable energy sector and creating jobs in New York City. 
New York Acre Case Study [PDF]

Venture Creations in Rochester
RIT's Venture Creations incubator is funded by a $1.5 million grant from NYSERDA to support the creation of business opportunities based on RIT's core competencies and fosters experiential learning in entrepreneurship among RIT's students and faculty. The incubator provides assistance with evaluating business opportunities, support with developing business plans, business mentoring and guidance, access to RIT's faculty and laboratory resources, student co-ops and interns and low-cost space.

The Cleantech Center in Syracuse
Created in 2004, The Cleantech Center has assisted more than 400 entrepreneurs and helped launch more than 35 companies. Currently, 30 companies occupy The Tech Garden and employ more than 100 people with a combined annual payroll of more than $4.5 million. Additionally, The Tech Garden is now home to the Syracuse Student Sandbox, a launching pad for over 15 student-led business start-ups.

Directed Energy at University at Buffalo Office of Science, Technology Transfer, and Economic Outreach
The UB Technology incubator supports the creation of new technology-based businesses by providing affordable business services to entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 1988, the program has assisted more than 60 tenants and graduates, boasting a 75 percent survival rate. Aggregate employment by those companies is 455 people and annual revenues exceed $60 million. In 2009, NYSERDA awarded STOR with $1.5 million over the next fours to accelerate the successful development of early-stage, clean energy technology companies in Western New York.

Consortiums

New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology Consortium (NY-BEST)
An industry-led coalition working to build and promote a vibrant, world-class, advanced battery and energy storage sector in New York State. New York State and NY-BEST^™ are aggressively building an energy storage industry with corporate, academic and federal partners.

New York State SmartGrid Consortium represents a key public-private partnership to promote broad statewide implementation of the smart grid. It is the only organization of its scale in the U.S. that is committed to representing all major contributors across the energy value chain from utilities, markets, operators, industry, academia, government and end-users.

Lighting Research Center at Rensselear
The world's leading university-based research and education organization devoted to lighting, from technologies to applications and energy use, from design to health and vision.

Research Technology Development Centers

NYSTAR's Regional Technology Development Center
A network of 10 independent, not-for-profit organizations committed to providing direct, strategic assistance to companies in the areas of entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, product development, high-tech business incubator management and technology transfer services.

Entrepreneurs in Residence

Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) Program
Facilitated and managed by High Tech Rochester (HTR), the EIR program is an effective means to provide a broad range of high-level advice and assistance to early-stage companies that receive NYSERDA funding and participate in other NYSERDA programs. NYSERDA recognizes a need for executive level mentoring and management advice for start-up, seed, and early-stage clean energy companies in New York State to help them gain viability, grow their business, and create revenue and jobs.