Educational Resources

Simon School of Business Administration, University of Rochester

Rochester Institute of Technology

Monroe Community College

MCC Corporate College

University of Rochester Centers and Institutes

Laboratory for Laser Energetics
The Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) of the University of Rochester is a unique national resource for research and education in science and technology. The Rochester area has a history of innovation and provides a unique setting for LLE within a technologically sophisticated community. Established in 1970 as a center for the investigation of the interaction of intense radiation with matter, the Laboratory has the five-fold mission:

A. To conduct implosion experiments and basic physics experiments in support of the National Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) program.

B. To develop new laser and materials technologies.

C. To provide graduate and undergraduate education in electro-optics, high-power lasers, high-energy-density physics, plasma physics, and nuclear fusion technology.

D. To operate the National Laser User’s Facility.

E. To conduct research and development in advanced technology related to high-energy-density phenomena.

The Rochester Data Science Consortium

The Goergen Institute for Data Science at the University of Rochester, New York’s only Center of Excellence in Data Science, and UR’s related partnership with New York State aims to meet growing workforce demands of New York companies in data science to train technical specialists, managers, clinicians and others versed in the field of data science.

Rochester Center for Economic Research

Biomedical Science Research Centers

The list below outlines some of the university’s biomedical centers.

Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences
The Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences enhances the University’s strong biomedical research program by creating an organizational structure and professional environment that foster outstanding interdisciplinary research. The institute structure allows scientists to focus their efforts on research by minimizing the academic and administrative responsibilities that often distract academic scientists. Researchers within the institute will benefit from close associations with colleagues within the institute and throughout the University.

Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound
The Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound at the University of Rochester was created in 1986 to unite professionals from both the medical and engineering communities. The Center provides a unique environment where professionals can join together to investigate the use of very high frequency sound waves in medical diagnosis and treatment along with other medical imaging bioeffects endeavors.

Center for Visual Science
CVS was founded in 1963 by Robert M. Boynton to bring together scientists from a variety of disciplines with the common goal of pursuing excellence in vision research. CVS consists of more than 25 research laboratories. These laboratories represent a diverse range of studies that span the development of the visual system to the interaction between visual perception and memory. Our investigators employ an equally diverse set of approaches, from molecular genetics and cellular biology to neurophysiology and psychophysics.

Sciences and Engineering

The list below describes some of the university’s science and engineering research centers.

Center for Emerging and Innovative Sciences
CEIS is one of 15 NYSTAR sponsored Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs) devoted to promoting economic development in the greater Rochester region and New York State. CEIS carries out its mission by developing and transferring technology to industry for commercialization and by educating the next generation of leaders in the fields of electronic imaging and microelectronics design. CEIS is one of the only 5 CATs which are enhanced or expanded to provide additional research in a specific area.

Center for Optics Manufacturing
The Center is a partnership of the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA), several universities (Rochester, Central Florida and Arizona) and the U.S. Army. This award-winning cooperative effort is developing real-world technology solutions that are redefining industry manufacturing capability. University scientists work with industry partners to optimize shop floor productivity, promote continuous improvement, and deliver quality. This joint effort advances technology, expands the skill base, fosters education, and maximizes the potential of the U.S. precision optics industry.

Wireless Communications and Networking Group
Our research spans many layers of the network protocol stack, from media access control (MAC) protocols to routing and transport layers and middleware for mobile systems. We develop communication and networking solutions for both sensor networks and mobile ad-hoc networks.

Center for Photoinduced Charge Transfer
The Center for Photoinduced Charge Transfer (CPCT) was founded in 1989 as one of the eleven original NSF Science and Technology Centers with a mission to pursue fundamental research in the area of photoinduced charge transfer through a unique university-industrial collaboration involving the University of Rochester, Eastman Kodak, and Xerox. Photoinduced charge transfer is the fundamental process by which light energy is converted to potential energy associated with separation of electrical charge. It is the key step in photography, xerography, solar energy conversion, and photosynthesis. The CPCT is dedicated to understanding the underlying chemistry and physics of photoinduced charge transfer processes.

RIT Research Laboratories and Centers

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to over 50 labs and centers across more than 30 disciplines. The university’s strength lies in a multidisciplinary approach to research. RIT researchers focus on primarily three key research areas that support the global challenges of our society – Imaging, Sustainability, and Bio-X. In addition, RIT has a number of other Centers of Excellence in specific research fields.

Imaging:
Imaging science is vital in homeland security, disaster management, and medical diagnostics. Researchers at RIT are creating technologies that will revolutionize the use of imaging applications. RIT specializes in:

• Remote Sensing
• Sensors
• Space Science & Astronomy
• Color Science
• Biomedical Imaging
• NanoImaging & Materials
• Printing & Graphics Media
• Photography
• Vision & Visual Communications
• Preservation & Reconstruction Imaging

Key centers and labs include:

The Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science is a highly interdisciplinary University Research and Education Center, dedicated to pushing the frontiers of imaging in all its forms and uses.

The Media, Arts, Games, Interaction and Creativity (MAGIC) Center at RIT connects RIT’s programs in technology, game design, and the creative arts to prototype commercial-grade interactive media projects in collaboration with industry.

The Image Permanence Institute is a recognized world leader in the development and deployment of sustainable practices for the preservation of images and cultural property.

The Munsell Color Science Laboratory is dedicated to research and education in color science.

The Future Photon Initiative develops photonic devices in pursuit of answers to grand questions, leveraging efforts of existing RIT research groups who develop technology for the generation, transmission, manipulation, absorption, and detection of photons.

Sustainability

RIT’s sustainability research is developing sustainable processes that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

• Sustainable Production
• Alternative Fuels
• Energy Systems
• Pollution Prevention
• Public Policy
• NanoPower Research
• Sustainable Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Clean Energy Incubator
• Preservation & Reconstruction Imaging
• Sustainable Mobility

Key institutions and centers include:

The Golisano Institute for Sustainability was formed in 2007 following a $10 million gift from entrepreneur B. Thomas Golisano. The institute focuses on research and education in sustainable production, environmental policy, sustainable business development and alternative energy, building on more than a decade of applied research by RIT’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies.

The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) was established in 1992 with a mission to increase the competitiveness of manufacturers through applied technology and training.

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP21) at RIT provides funds and support to students, researchers, and companies to come up with new sustainable ideas and concepts and implement sustainability solutions.

Bio-X builds on RIT’s core technical strengths to address biology, health-care, and medical challenges through interdisciplinary research.

• Cardiovascular & Respiratory
• Access Technology
• Infectious Diseases
• Biomedical Imaging
• Environmental & Conservation Science
• Health Informatics
• Efficient Hospital Care
• Telemedicine

Key centers include:

The Center for Bioscience Education and Technology (CBET) is the Rochester region’s hub for customized workforce training and professional-development services in the biosciences.

RIT Centers of Excellence

RIT is home to other multidisciplinary centers of excellence that compliment RIT’s core research capabilities.

The Albert J. Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (established in 2007) enhances earlier Entrepreneurship activities on RIT’s campus, including the RIT Venture Creations Incubator.

The IT Collaboratory is an RIT led research collaboration with the University at Buffalo’s Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics and the NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University in nanomaterial science, microsystems, photonics, remote sensing systems, and other information technologies.

Venture Creations, RIT’s business incubator, occupies 27,000 square feet adjacent to the RIT campus at 125 Tech Park Drive. The incubator supports the creation of business opportunities based on RIT’s core competencies. Venture Creations also fosters experiential learning in entrepreneurship among RIT’s students and faculty

Rochester Angel Network
The Rochester Angel Network is a private group of accredited Rochester investors with an interest in investing in seed and early-stage startup companies. The network provides an accessible and efficient forum by which entrepreneurs can find potential investors, and investors can find deals of interest.

Excell Partners, Inc.
Excell Partners is a unique regional economic development partnership established in cooperation with the University of Rochester and the State of New York to manage a state-supported fund which provides pre-seed and seed stage financing to high-tech start-up companies in the Upstate New York Region. The mission of the fund is to support regional economic development by bridging the pre-seed and seed stage funding gap in Upstate New York while generating sufficient returns so that, over time, the fund becomes self-sustaining.

Impellent Ventures
Impellent Ventures is an early stage venture fund that is merging the mentorship and capital relationships of tier 1 technology ecosystems with reemergent technology across the rust belt.  With offices in Rochester and Boston, Impellent invests in preseed and seed stage ventures that are using technology to disrupt major marketplaces.   Their partners include world class entrepreneurs from leading public and private companies including Paychex, Android, Google Ventures, Twitter, ACV Auctions, DraftKings, ButcherBox, CloudCheckr, and others.

U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
Important information regarding securities laws and how they affect your company’s ability to raise capital.  Be sure to check with your attorney and accountant for additional details.

Federal and State Grant Programs

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
SBIR is a highly competitive program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from their commercialization.

Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Program
STTR is an important new small business program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena. Central to the program is the expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small business and the nation’s premier nonprofit research institutions.

U.S. Department of Energy Inventions and Innovation Program
The Inventions and Innovation (I&I) program provides financial assistance for conducting early development and establishing the technical performance of innovative energy saving ideas and inventions.

NY State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Provides financial assistance for development and/or commercialization of new or innovative technologies.

Small Businesses Banking Resources

U.S. Small Business Administration
Provides multiple resources, including information on SBA loans, and SBIC equity investments

Private Equity / Venture Capital

The Upstate Capital Association of New York
The Upstate Capital Association of New York connects investors across the capital stack to opportunities across New York state. The organization also increases access to capital for companies and deal flow for investors by maintaining a robust statewide network, including capital providers, entrepreneurs, professional advisors, and supporting organizations.

Upstate Venture Connect 
UVC is a not-for-profit organization offering advisory services to communities seeking entrepreneurship growth, and high-growth founders ready for macro scale.

LaunchNY
LaunchNY is a 501(c)(3) venture development organization whose mission is to identify, support and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies and catalyze the entrepreneurial culture to drive job and wealth creation in the 27 westernmost counties of Upstate New York.

New York State Small Business Technology Investment Fund (SBTIF)
The Small Business Technology Investment Fund (SBTIF) provides start-up high-tech companies throughout New York State with a source of venture capital to promote new job creation and economic growth. The Fund makes early-stage equity investments in companies that have developed innovative technology products or services and that display significant competitive advantage.

Rand Capital Corporation (Buffalo, NY)
Rand Capital provides venture capital and management experience to support the growth and development of businesses in varied industries, primarily in the Western New York and Upstate New York region.

Summer Street Capital Partners (Buffalo, NY)
Summer Street is a private equity investor that provides capital to support the following types of transactions: Growth Financing, Management Buy-Outs, Sale or Divestiture, General Transitions, Recapitalizations.

Cayuga Venture Fund (Ithaca, NY)
Cayuga Venture Fund II was formed to assist early-stage companies by providing both management skills and capitalization. A secondary mission of CVF II is to promote and support economic development in our region through job creation. Therefore, we preferentially invest in companies that have a regional presence but are players in worldwide markets.

DeltaPoint Capital Partners (Rochester, NY)
DeltaPoint Capital Management, LLC is a private equity partnership that makes investments in privately-held and/or closely-held companies primarily located in Upstate New York that are in the process of changing the majority control or acquiring the majority control of another business.

Enhanced Capital Partners (NY, NY)
Enhanced Capital Partners, LLC, formed in 1999, is a national investment firm specializing in state-specific investments in small and emerging companies with its private investment funds. Enhanced Capital generally makes investments in emerging and high growth companies seeking between $500,000 and $3,000,000 of equity capital.

Stonehenge Capital Corporation (NY, NY)
Stonehenge Capital Corporation is one of the largest and most active private equity firms in the country. Stonehenge currently manages several distinct private equity and mezzanine funds with approximately $500 million in capital through its offices in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Luminate NY
Luminate is the only international startup accelerator focused solely on next-generation optics, photonics and imaging (OPI). Located in the world capital of imaging—Rochester, New York—Luminate is bringing visionary entrepreneurs from around the globe together with OPI pioneers and qualified investors to speed innovation and time to market. It’s also providing early-stage companies with the capital necessary to further develop their technologies.

NextCorps
NextCorps helps tech startups and existing manufacturers grow their businesses through a variety of programs and mentoring opportunities, including facilitating funding opportunities. NextCorps’ incubator space includes a mix of private offices and co-working space, a 100-seat auditorium, a prototype lab, wet labs, multiple conference rooms, a kitchen/café, an outdoor rooftop events area, and other gathering spaces at its newly-renovated location in Rochester’s Downtown Innovation Zone.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​URVentures
URVentures is a hub that develops and commercializes the intellectual property that arises from research at the University of Rochester, which is a leader in computer science, optics and photonics, and life sciences. To bring University of Rochester’s world-class research to life, UR Ventures has created the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and the Drug Development Pilot Award. These programs exist to support UR researchers as they develop and de-risk their innovations for the marketplace.

Venture Creations – (RIT Incubator)
Venture Creations has been established to: Promote and foster entrepreneurship among RIT students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Institute; initiate and support promising new high technology business opportunities that are related to RIT and advance economic development in the region; produce long-term economic benefit to the Institute and the region through incubator operations, job creation, equity in new businesses, and enhanced relationships with new business founders.

NextCorps
NextCorps’ mission is to stimulate growth in the Greater Rochester, New York technology-based business sector. We actively facilitate the identification, development, and incubation of new and emerging business opportunities. We also work to improve the competitive position of this region’s established small manufacturing firms through product and process innovation. 

RocStarts.com
RocStarts is an informational resource for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region that is managed by NextCorps.

Excell Partners, Inc.
Excell Partners is a unique regional economic development partnership established in cooperation with the University of Rochester and the State of New York to manage a state-supported fund that provides pre-seed and seed stage financing to high-tech start-up companies in the Upstate New York Region. The mission of the fund is to support regional economic development by bridging the pre-seed and seed stage funding gap in Upstate New York while generating sufficient returns so that, over time, the fund becomes self-sustaining.

TechRochester
TechRochester is a community of over 3,400 technology professionals and entrepreneurs from across the region working together to strengthen and grow the tech sector. With membership drawn from IT, telecom, engineering and the life sciences, TechRochester’s events and community services include an array of networking, educational, entrepreneurial and economic development activities designed to serve a broad spectrum of participants. 

The Entrepreneurs Network
The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) was created based on the best practices of leading entrepreneurial education, training, and networking programs. TEN offers a practical, business-oriented, and hands-on educational and networking program in which entrepreneurs are exposed to speakers with expertise in growing successful high-tech businesses.

New York State Small Business Development Center
A partnership program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York (SUNY), which provides free services to assist small and growing businesses.

ROC Game Dev
Roc Game Dev is an organization dedicated to fostering a community of game creators in Rochester, NY. Its mission is to provide a local platform for game creators at beginner, amateur, and professional levels to learn, share, and collaborate in all aspects of building games.

ROC Growth
The RocGrowth.com website was created as part of a new initiative in the Rochester / Finger Lakes, NY region known as the Finger Lakes Business Accelerator Cooperative.  Born from a strategic plan developed by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation working group, the Business Accelerator Cooperative seeks to increase collaboration among all local entrepreneurial support organizations, and make it easier for local startups to find the right resources to help them grow their companies. 

SCORE
SCORE, “Counselors to America’s Small Business,” is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential face-to-face and email business counseling. Business counseling and workshops are offered at 389 chapter offices across the country.

NextCorps hosts meetups, technology showcase events, workshops, and other programming not just for entrepreneurs and startups that are tenants of the incubator but for the community at large.

RocGrowth seeks to increase collaboration among all local entrepreneurial support organizations, and make it easier for local startups to find the right resources to help them grow their companies. RocGrowth puts on free monthly coffee networking events and the “RocGrowth Candids” series which spotlights a growing industry or industries and startups working in that space in the region.

TechRochester, the Greater Rochester NY region’s technology business association, hosts workshops and large-scale events to highlight trends in the local and national technology industries. The organization hosts signature events each year, as well – the Rochester Tech Woman of the Year Awards and the GREAT Awards (Greater Rochester Excellence in Applied Technology) to recognize leadership and innovation