Mapping New York’s Innovation Infrastructure: A Guide to the State’s Economic Development Categories

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York State’s innovation economy runs on more than ambition. It’s fueled by a network of accelerators, incubators, research hubs, and statewide programs that help founders move from idea to impact. These programs, many supported by Empire State Development, anchor the state’s strategy for building industries, attracting investment, and keeping top talent in New York.

From Buffalo to Long Island, they form a system where startups find mentorship, researchers find industry partners, and manufacturers find modernization support. For founders, investors, and community leaders, understanding this ecosystem is the first step toward navigating it.

Below is a guide to New York’s major economic development categories, explained in plain language.

Category	Definition / Description
Accelerator	Structured, time-limited programs that invest in and mentor early-stage startups to accelerate growth and prepare them for investment. They often provide funding, workspace, and access to investors. Notable examples include 43North in Buffalo and GENIUS NY in Syracuse.
Business Incubators & Innovation Hot Spots	State-designated programs that support startups through mentorship, technical assistance, and affordable workspace. Innovation Hot Spots also offer tax benefits and are connected to New York’s Regional Economic Development Councils.
Centers for Advanced Technology (CATs)	University-industry partnerships focused on applied research and commercialization in key sectors such as biotech, materials, and robotics. CATs are funded by NYSTAR, the Division of Science, Technology and Innovation within Empire State Development.
Centers of Excellence (CoEs)	University-based research hubs focused on turning emerging technologies into real-world products. CoEs connect academia and industry to drive high-impact innovation and job creation.
New York Fashion Innovation Center	A statewide initiative supporting the modernization of New York’s fashion and textile manufacturing ecosystem. The center promotes sustainable materials, advanced production methods, and technology-enabled design while connecting designers, brands, and manufacturers.
New York MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership)	A statewide network that helps small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize, adopt new technologies, and grow. Each region operates an MEP center supported by Empire State Development and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
New York State Science & Technology Law Center (NYSSTLC)	Based at Syracuse University College of Law, the NYSSTLC provides legal and commercialization guidance for startups, inventors, and researchers across the state. Its work helps early-stage companies protect intellectual property and navigate regulatory pathways.

Why It Matters

These programs are more than policy acronyms, they’re the infrastructure powering New York’s innovation economy. Accelerators grow companies. Incubators grow communities. CATs and CoEs turn research into revenue. Together, they create a foundation where science, entrepreneurship, and manufacturing thrive side by side.

Connected Know Takeaway:

Upstate New York isn’t a footnote in the innovation story, Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse each play a distinct role in shaping how ideas move from the lab to the marketplace. As New York continues to invest in technology, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing, understanding how these categories work together is key to unlocking the next decade of growth.