High Tech Rochester gets grant

Listen to this article

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced today that High Tech Rochester is the recipient of a grant of $5 million for the purpose of creating a high-tech acceleration capability and leadership presence in the City of Rochester’s new Downtown Innovation Zone.

The funds will be used for facilities for high-tech startups – co-working spaces, traditional office space, conference rooms, an auditorium, etc.– as well as “wet lab” facilities for biotech innovation and development.

HTR’s downtown accelerator/incubator was a “priority project” for the Finger Lakes Economic Development Council for this year’s round of funding and in the view of HTR president Jim Senall, “will serve as an anchor for the Downtown Innovation Zone and a lighthouse for the startups that locate there.”

“While we’re excited at having a physical presence in downtown Rochester, we’re equally thrilled to bring our incubation services and expertise to the startups that locate there,” he added. “Research has shown that startups that locate in an incubator and take advantage of experienced business mentors stand a much better chance of success than those that go it alone or work in isolation.

HTR also recently announced the addition of two executives who will serve as Entrepreneurs In Residence, Don Golini and Matt Foley.

With its proximity to RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, HTR will serve as a hub for connecting entrepreneurial resources from throughout the 9-county Finger Lakes Region.