Syracuse Surge Accelerator Announces 10 Semi-finalists for First Cohort

Posted On
July 10, 2023

Image
Surge Accelerator 2023 Semifinalists

Today we announce the 10 semi-finalists for the first cohort of the Syracuse Surge Accelerator at CenterState CEO’s The Tech Garden! This diverse group of startup companies are creating and developing wide-ranging innovations in technology. All semi–finalists are from New York State, with eight based in Central New York.

The Syracuse Surge Accelerator is a one-year in-person accelerator to provide direct resources and support for Black-Indigenous-Persons of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs who want to launch and accelerate tech-related and tech-adjacent startups. This includes funding, workshops, mentoring, coaching/advising and strategic connections with potential business partners.

The teams will now go through the next round of judging. Five finalists will be announced in the coming weeks for participation in the 12-month in-person accelerator. Congratulations to these exceptional entrepreneurs!

Ask Nettie LLC (Saratoga Springs NY)

Cejour Inc. (Queens, NY)

Certainty Analytical Labs (Rochester, NY)

Clutch Delivery LLC (Syracuse, NY)

HippoH Apparel, LLC (Clay, NY)

KAYA Fertilizers, LLC (Syracuse, NY)

Nightflyy (Syracuse, NY) 

Sign-Speak Inc. (Victor, NY) 

Sustainable Energy & Agriculture Technology, LLC (Camillus, NY) 

Talkadot (Jamesville, NY) 

Other
CEO News

Image
INSPYRE Innovatoin Hub
CEO News | 04/22/2025

INSPYRE Innovation Hub is the New Name of CenterState CEO’s Expanded Business Incubator

CenterState CEO announced at its 2025 Annual Meeting the new name of its expanded business incubator in downtown Syracuse: CenterState CEO’s INSPYRE Innovation Hub.

Image
ONRAMP Master Developer RFP
CEO News | 11/21/2025

Request for Proposals: 1300 South Salina Street Site Master Developer

CenterState CEO and ONRAMP (the Project Sponsors) are requesting proposals from experienced Master Developers who can prove through their submittal that they possess the necessary qualifications to implement a comprehensive redevelopment…

Image
Novelis Fire Graphic
CEO News | 11/20/2025

CenterState CEO and GOFCC Share Statement of Support Following Recent Novelis Fire

CenterState CEO and Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce issue statement following Novelis fire.

Image
GNY Liverpool Drone Tech Program
CEO News | 11/20/2025

GENIUS NY Hosts Liverpool High School Drone Tech Program

More than 25 high school students met with GENIUS NY to learn more about Central New York’s UAS industry.

Image
BofA Neighborhood Builder Grant
CEO News | 11/02/2025

CenterState CEO Recognized as a Bank of America 2025 Neighborhood Builder

Bank of America awarded CenterState CEO $50,000 to support its regional housing strategies through the financial institution’s Neighborhood Builder program.

Image
CenterState CEO Economic Champions Event
CEO News | 10/29/2025

CenterState CEO Celebrates 353 Businesses at Economic Champions Event

CenterState CEO’s annual Economic Champions Celebration recognized the collective contributions of 353 companies and organizations to the growth and vibrancy of the Central New York economy.

Image
Jess Abbot SVP MBX Graphic
CEO News | 10/20/2025

Jess Abbott Promoted to Senior Vice President of Member and Business Experience

Abbott is chiefly responsible for driving value for the organization’s members.

Image
CenterState Signal Graphic
CEO News | 10/01/2025

CenterState Signal: Syracuse Job Growth Hits 25-Year High

CenterState Signal is a quarterly column by CenterState CEO's Jared Shepard that takes a closer look at economic trends and their impact on the regional economy.

Image
Onondaga Community College
CEO News | 09/30/2025

Onondaga Community College to be Recognized with 2025 Community Visionary Award

CenterState CEO is proud to announce Onondaga Community College (OCC) as the 2025 recipient of its Community Visionary Award.