Grants for Growth Announces New Funding

Now Accepting Applications for $25,000 Proof of Concept Grants and $150,000 Concept to Marketplace Investments

SYRACUSE, NY – CenterState CEO today announced it is accepting applications for the 14th round of its Grants for Growth program. To date, $2.65 million has been invested in emerging companies leveraging $44 million in matching and follow on funding through the program.

Grants for Growth is a unique CenterState CEO seed program that supports innovative applied research projects between universities and industry to improve business competitiveness and create jobs. Companies can apply for the award in one of two categories based on their growth stage: $25,000 Proof of Concept grants for early-stage companies, and $150,000 Concept to Marketplace investments for later-stage companies.

Companies are encouraged to apply for Grants for Growth at thetechgarden.com/grants-for-growth by July 2, 2015.

To date, the Grants for Growth program has:

• Awarded 47 grants/investments totaling $2.65 million
• Leveraged $44 million in additional investments
• Created 56 patents
•  Engaged entrepreneurs from across eight CenterState New York counties
• Connected growing companies to 135 professors at seven colleges and universities 
• Created the potential for 699 new jobs
• Created the potential for $49.5 million new revenue

The program is made possible with support from the New York State Senate and Senator John A. DeFrancisco.

“Round after round, Grants for Growth continues to provide opportunity for companies to build and grow in our community,” said Senator DeFrancisco. “Each round allows us to support more innovation and create deeper connections between our region’s entrepreneurs and universities. I’m proud to see the continued success of this program.”

Grants for Growth gives companies across the 12-county CenterState, New York region greater access to the extensive resources available at educational institutions, those universities and research centers gain additional capacity to transfer the latest knowledge and skills to targeted industrial clusters.

To learn more about these programs and the resources available to entrepreneurs visit thetechgarden.com.

About The Tech Garden

The Tech Garden’s mission is to stimulate high-tech entrepreneurship, foster the development of emerging growth companies, and support technology commercialization throughout the region. Start-up technology businesses are offered business plan assistance, mentoring and marketing advice, targeted referrals, networking opportunities and state-of-the-art office space from which to grow their businesses. The Tech Garden is an affiliate of CenterState CEO.

About CenterState CEO

CenterState CEO is a regional business leadership organization, chamber of commerce, and economic development strategist, based in Syracuse, New York. We represent members of all sizes and serve as the primary business resource and catalyst for development in a twelve-county area. We advocate for smart business, facilitate regional growth and promote community prosperity through results-driven partnerships, planning and problem solving. www.centerstateceo.com