A Reflection on the Past Year, from Syracuse Surge Accelerator Program Manager, Emad Rahim

It is hard to believe it has been a full year since we launched the Syracuse Surge Accelerator. In reflecting on this inaugural year, I am incredibly proud of what we have created through this program, and excited to witness its continued growth and impact.  

Not long after the Syracuse Surge Accelerator began, our staff and programs moved to Equitable Tower 1 as construction kicked-off on The Tech Garden’s 46,000 square-foot expansion. At the same time, we welcomed new staff members to our team. Both investments, in facilities and people, will allow us to serve more diverse businesses and grow the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Central New York.

Something that makes this program remarkable are the connections, experiences and resources we provide for our founders. I am also incredibly grateful to our many community partners for their engagement and support over this past year. Here are a few highlights: 

The Syracuse Surge Accelerator kicked-off with a City Proclamation presented by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. August 22, 2023, is now known as the Syracuse Surge Accelerator Day in the city of Syracuse. In addition, this cohort received membership to the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance (UMEA). UMEA is Central New York’s first and only minority chamber of commerce and serves as an economic conduit for some of the region’s premier minority-owned business enterprises. 

Read more of Dr. Rahim's reflection