Projects in Progress

Projects Approved for Funding by Governing Board - as of March 2008

1. Strategic Growth through Innovation Program – RIT
   Contact:  Richard DeMartino, 585-475-5646

• Immersion Sequence program targets high-growth potential small enterprises managers wishing to join or lead commercialization teams.  Also targets potential and existing entrepreneurs
• Connecting entrepreneurial acumen with economic growth
• Classes scheduled to begin Fall ‘07.

2. The Entrepreneurs Network – TEN
   Contact:  Jean Kase, 585-753-2031

• 6-month program including a Boot Camp, Work Shops, and Panel Events that are designed to optimize exposure to, and interaction with leading local and national entrepreneurial experts Connecting entrepreneurial acumen with economic growth
• Intended to introduce entrepreneurs to new ideas and avenues to attract capital as well as a social networking opportunity for alumni and current members

3. Pre-Seed Workshops – HTR
   Contact:  Rami Katz, 585-214-0596

• 2+ day sessions will provide an assessment of business potential for a specific invention, and will foster a collaboration of technologists/inventors knowledgeable about business creation realities and connect them with a business network for future assistance
• Addresses gap in the commercialization continuum at “pre-seed” stage and will improve the identification and qualify technologies for transfer 

4. SBIR Outreach and Access – HTR
   Contact:  Rami Katz, 585-214-0596

• Intent is to move the region’s SBIR/STTR participation to a much higher level through assistance of grant and connection with other available resources
• Will educate entrepreneurs and small business owners of grant funding opportunities, proposal reviews, proposal preparers, and solicitation finders

5. Tech Commercialization – HTR
   Contact:  Rami Katz, 585-214-0596

• Intent is to accelerates the commercialization of university and orphan technology from local companies
• Program proposes to augment the traditional licensing programs of the local research institutions with entrepreneurs and product development specialists to identify and nurture high potential technologies and lead them into the marketplace either by new business formation or by infusion into existing regional companies

6. Scholarship Fund – RW, FLW, GLOW
   Contact: Claudia Burcke,  585-258-3541

• Addresses skilled worker shortages in key industry segments: Alternative Energy, Biotech & Life Sciences, Food & Agriculture, Optics & Imaging, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Services and Health Care
• Will provide scholarships to businesses to train their employees in skills that will lead to credentials/certifications or transferable skills

7. Regional Apprentice System – MCC, GCC, FLCC
   Contact:  James Winston, 585-262-1401

• Develop industry-based apprentice system for the Finger Lakes Region
• System will begin with several new education/training programs for three of the four targeted industry clusters (optics, printing/packaging, bio-manufacturing and food processing industries)

8. Educator Internships – FLW/RACEC
   Contact:  Karen Springmeier, 315-789-3131

• Placing teacher-interns in industry and will engage employers from high tech and emerging industries of Optics/Imaging, Biotech/Life Sciences, Alternative Energy, and Food and Agriculture
• The project will engage educators and will impact students by creating linkages to high-tech and emerging industries that currently do not exist among school districts, educators, and employers in the region

9. Predictive Analysis – Business Attraction – GRE
   Contact:  Jim Senall, 585-530-6209

• This project will help develop robust knowledge of assets in targeted clusters, identify high-growth sub-sectors of those clusters (and leading companies within those sub-sectors), perform in-depth research on each identified company, and will set up mission trip of ED professionals, senior business leaders, government officials, etc. to proactively visit target companies
• ZoomProspector from GISPlanning, Inc will map regional assets such as real-time information about a specific site location, including demographics, workforce data, and industry information, and to be able to obtain this data on-line. Because 85% of the initial site selection process occurs via the Internet and 86% of site selectors visit websites to familiarize themselves with various locations, and to leverage current assets and marketing efforts, this interactive environment will be placed at the GRE website

10. Golden Horseshoe Business Challenge – GRE
    Contact:  Jim Senall, 585-530-6209

• Regional/International contest to stimulate entrepreneurial awareness & business formation, and develop of entrepreneurial skills for current and prospective entrepreneurs

11.  Young Entrepreneurs Academy – U of R
    Contact:  Gayle Jagel, 585-275-2344

• Replicate a program for students in grades 9 through 12 that teaches entrepreneurship and assists in the start up of a real business

12. Regional Cluster and Competency Networks – GRE
    Contact:  Jay Martinez, 585-530-6207

• Build on competencies and enhance clusters in Advanced Manufacturing, Optics & Imaging, Biotech & Life Sciences, Alternative Energy, and Food & Agriculture
• Support matchmaking, collaboration, networking, identification of regional gaps, opportunities and resources through regional activities.

13. Winery and Grape Grower Education Program
    Contact:  Dana Brunett, 585- 340-3385

• Develop business acumen and business skill sets of winery and vineyard owners and key staff. Addresses the lack of proper business and financial training, technical assistance, and business loans to support the growth of wineries in the region.
• Training will be will be offered in small group and one-on-one counseling, and will be delivered during the wineries slow periods to ensure better participation rates.