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SyracuseCoE and CenterState CEO Announce New Partnership to Advance University-Industry Collaboration

SYRACUSE, N.Y.– The CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO) and Syracuse Center of Excellence (SyracuseCoE) today announced an important new partnership designed to grow businesses in the energy and environmental fields.

The new formal collaboration brings together the business and economic development assets of CenterState CEOwith the extensive research and academic assets of the SyracuseCoE federation in order to:

• Launch new businesses, grow existing businesses, and create partnerships between emerging companies and established industry leaders in these sectors;
• Align R&D with business and economic development investments, and identify new funding opportunities for companies in the region; and
• Open doors for companies to solve business challenges and find new market opportunities by connecting them with top researchers.

“This partnership with SyracuseCoE creates a unique system where ‘R’ meets ‘D,’ increasing industry-university collaboration to advance business development, product commercialization, funding opportunities and investment for the region,” said Rob Simpson, president of CenterState CEO.  “By sharing resources and experiences, CenterState CEO and SyracuseCoE can better accelerate a shared goal of competing in an innovation and technology-focused economy.”

The new partnership will engage companies of any size, across all stages - from promising startups to well-established organizations.  New partnership and opportunities are already developing.

CenterState CEO and SyracuseCoE have facilitated an initiative between the Pall Corporation, of Cortland, and Clarkson University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Cornell University to shape a proposal and seek funding to establish a national research center in the area of industrial water quality technologies.  CenterState CEO and SyracuseCoE are also working with Cameron Manufacturing, of Horseheads, as they collaborate with Clarkson University researchers on the development of energy efficient clean room technologies.  Supported by funding from SyracuseCoE's Commercialization Assistance Program and business development assistance from Center State CEO, the company is poised to grow in this expanding market.

“Partnering with CenterState CEO is another major milestone in the development of our region as an international powerhouse for innovations in energy and environmental systems,” said Ed Bogucz, SyracuseCoE executive director.  “CenterState CEO got us started in 1998 as direct result of its Vision 2010 plan, and has provided vital support over the years.  We fully anticipate that this new level of collaboration will lead to further opportunities for businesses to excel in these growing fields, right here in our region.”

SyracuseCoE accelerates environmental and energy solutions for a sustainable future by engaging collaborators at 200+ companies and institutions, generating research, demonstrating new technologies, commercializing business ideas, and educating the workforce and the community.  Linking with CenterState CEO programs, initiatives, and partners will leverage resources and create a unified voice in the region for industry collaboration.

CenterState CEO has committed to provide SyracuseCoE with a team of professionals to advance this joint effort.  Linda Hartsock, in addition to her role as CenterState CEO’s vice president of innovation and technology initiatives, will serve as SyracuseCoE director of industry collaboration.  Other CEO staff directly supporting the team will be Michael Novakowski in the area of external business attraction, and Mitchell Patterson in the area of emerging business development.  The partnership also includes technology commercialization assistance through The Clean Tech Center, a NYSERDA-funded clean energy incubator and CenterState CEO’s affiliate.

About CenterState CEO:  Based in Syracuse, the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO) is a private, not-for-profit business leadership and economic development organization.  CenterState CEO represents more than 2,000 members across twelve counties, and serves as the region’s primary economic, community and business development catalyst.  CenterState CEO works to achieve regional growth and total community prosperity through partnerships, planning and problem solving. For more information, visit www.centerstateceo.com

About Syracuse Center of Excellence: SyracuseCoE engages collaborators at 200+ firms, organizations, and institutions to create innovations to address global challenges in clean and renewable energy, water resources, and indoor environmental quality.  Activities within SyracuseCoE include research, product development, commercialization assistance, and outreach and education programs, with three specialized teams focusing on research, industry collaboration, and sustainable community solutions. For more information, visit www.syracusecoe.org.