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Taylor Hall at night

About Us

Our mission is to promote economic development in New York State by bringing together companies and university researchers who have areas of common interest and encouraging collaboration through funding and outreach.

Over the past ten years, CEIS funding has been leveraged to generate over $702 million in economic impact and the creation of 239 new jobs. By bringing together multiple universities, companies, government agencies, and economic development organizations in a collaborative environment, we provide leadership in the identification and realization of technology-driven economic development in the Finger Lakes region.

News & Events

UNY I-Corps Regional Course Hosted By University of Rochester
October 9, 2020

UNY I-Corps Regional Course Hosted By University of Rochester

From the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship

The University of Rochester is once again offering the NSF Innovation-Corps (I-Corps) Upstate NY Node Short Course program in a new 3.5-week virtual format and designed for graduate, doctoral candidates, post-docs and faculty in STEM-related fields to explore the market opportunity of their research. Undergrads are welcome to apply if they have a deep technology and are working with a faculty member. The next UR Short Course, offered free of charge, will take place via Zoom, beginning on Monday, October 19. This fall’s cohort is eligible for grant awards of up to $2,000 per team. Register here.

October 5, 2020

UR Ventures: Technology Development Fund

The Technology Development Fund accelerates the commercialization of the University of Rochester's world-class research. The TDF makes awards to UR researchers as they develop their innovations to get them ready for the marketplace. TDF awards are not prizes or research grants, but are funds to accomplish specific milestones. Since 2010, TDF support has provided over $4m to 49 projects, resulting in 30+ publications, over $7m in additional research funding, 8 licenses/options and several startups.

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September 14, 2020

Luminate Finals 2020

"Luminate Finals 2020 was streamed internationally on Monday, September 14 as part of The Optical Society‘s all-virtual Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science (FiO+LS) APS/DLS conference. The event marked the graduation of the ten startups in Luminate’s third cohort — startups changing the way we address healthcare diagnosis and training, water and soil monitoring, wireless communication, energy efficiency, and more."

See the Winners!

CEIS-CAT Announcement

CAT Renewal Poster

Since 1992, CEIS has been designated as a New York State Center for Advanced Technology (CAT). As a CAT, we have worked to support collaborative projects between private entities and university researchers. Over the last ten years we have supported nearly 300 projects in an incredibly diverse range of interests which have generated over $700 million in direct, measurable, economic impact, creating some 200 jobs, and retaining another 239.

We are proud to announce that New York’s Empire State Development has chosen CEIS from an incredibly competitive field to continue as a Center for Advanced Technologies for another ten years in our focus area of photonics and imaging science systems.

In this transitional period, we think it is appropriate to look back and highlight some of the incredible work our partnering organizations and primary investigators have done in the last year, as well as looking forward to the future and the arrival of AIM Photonics.

This is a very exciting time for us, and we are happy to say that the future looks ever better and ever brighter here in Rochester.  Check back to learn what projects will be funded in the Center’s new CAT cycle as well as exciting developments in photonics, and Rochester’s photonics community.

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