The final slate of presenting companies has been chosen for the 10th Annual SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum, presented by the Center for Economic Growth in Syracuse, NY. A total of 20 high-growth early stage companies will be featured, including five from Central NY. This year’s list includes Antek Inc., Brand-Yourself.com, Symphony Video, Propulsive Wing, LLC, and EarthSense who will be presenting their business plans to the investment community on May 18th at the Sheraton University Conference Center in Syracuse, NY.
“Syracuse is pleased to host this 10th annual venture forum, which is the premier venue matching emerging business ideas and talent with potential investors,” said Linda Hartsock, Vice President of Innovation and Technology for the CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity. “The Tech Garden’s partnership with SmartStart UNYTECH and the CEG is helping build an innovation infrastructure across Upstate New York that is launching new technologies and businesses. We are especially proud of the five area companies who were competitively selected to be showcased at this year’s event.”
SmartStart UNYTECH is Upstate’s largest venture forum to highlight the best early stage companies to investors. Since it’s inception 220 high-quality companies have presented and 62 have raised over $390 M in equity financing, including over $71 M directly attributable to their participation in the forum.
Also featured at the event is a keynote presentation President of Jump Start Ventures, Rebecca Braun.
“This year’s field of companies is as strong as ever and represents a wide range of market opportunities, from biotech to IT, to security to even construction technology, “ said Peter Pritchard, Director of Venture Programs at the Center for Economic Growth and the forum’s coordinator. “The strength of the state’s research is reflected in these companies and we are excited about giving them exposure to the investment community,” he added.
“Supporting high growth companies is important for the Tech Valley region, as well as across the state. Through regional collaboration we are able to showcase the best and brightest of New York state to the investment community. The Center or Economic Growth is honored and privileged to play a key role in presenting this forum,” concluded F. Michael Tucker, President and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth.
About UNYTECH:
UNYTECH is a collaborative effort among leading research institutions in the Upstate New York region including Alfred University, Binghamton University, Cornell University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, State University of New York, University at Albany, University at Buffalo, and University of Rochester, and regional economic development agencies and venture capital firms., Universities in Upstate New York contribute immensely to the intellectual capital and high technology economy of the region. The eleven participating universities together have research and development expenditures over $1 billion. Research carried out within these universities translates into commercially viable products and services.
