Connected Know
Rochester
The organizations, programs, and funding that help companies grow in Rochester.
Organizations
Every city esd.ny.govEmpire State DevelopmentNew York State's economic development agency, offering incentives, capital programs and small business support. (opens in a new tab)
Every city fuzehub.comFuzeHubStatewide manufacturing hub connecting New York manufacturers to expertise, funding competitions and grants. (opens in a new tab)
greaterrochesterchamber.comGreater Rochester Chamber of CommerceRegional business membership group offering networking, advocacy, training and the Rochester Top 100 awards. (opens in a new tab)
rochesterbiz.comGreater Rochester EnterpriseRegional economic development group helping companies grow in or move to Greater Rochester. (opens in a new tab)
newyorkphotonics.orgNew York PhotonicsIndustry association for the region's optics, photonics and imaging companies, formerly the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster. (opens in a new tab)
Every city nysbdc.orgNew York Small Business Development CenterStatewide network of regional centers offering free one-on-one business advising and training. (opens in a new tab)
rocwbc.comROC Women's Business CenterSBA-funded center run by the Urban League of Rochester, with counseling and workshops for women entrepreneurs. (opens in a new tab)
rocgrowth.comRocGrowthVolunteer-run group that showcases Rochester's entrepreneurs and innovators through networking events. (opens in a new tab)
score.orgSCORE Western NYFree volunteer business mentoring and workshops for founders across Greater Rochester, Buffalo Niagara and the western Finger Lakes. (opens in a new tab)
startupgrind.comStartup Grind RochesterLocal chapter of the global founder community, with fireside chats, pitch nights and networking. (opens in a new tab)
techrochester.orgTechRochesterThe region's technology association, with events, peer groups and a jobs board for local tech companies. (opens in a new tab)
Every city uvc.orgUpstate Venture ConnectFounder network connecting high-growth companies across upstate New York with investors, mentors and each other. (opens in a new tab)
rochester.eduUR VenturesUniversity of Rochester's technology transfer office, licensing research and helping startups built on it. (opens in a new tab)
Funding sources
bebold.vcBold VenturesVenture fund that sets out to change how founders are treated in venture capital. (opens in a new tab)
cityofrochester.govCity of Rochester Business Loans and GrantsCity loans, storefront grants and microloans for businesses inside Rochester. (opens in a new tab)
excellny.comExcellRochester-based early-stage investor in New York technology companies. (opens in a new tab)
goodneighbor.fundGood Neighbor FundSmall micro-grants that help founders take an early step on a new business. (opens in a new tab)
Every city grow-ny.comGrow-NYFood and agtech startup competition awarding $3 million a year to companies that commit to Central NY, the Finger Lakes or the Southern Tier. (opens in a new tab)
Every city launchny.orgLaunch NYNonprofit seed fund and mentoring organization backing high-growth startups across upstate New York. (opens in a new tab)
monroecountybusiness.orgMonroe County Economic Development Lending ProgramsCounty loans for Monroe County businesses, including Micro Advantage loans of $10,000 to $50,000, SBA 504 and a gap-financing revolving fund. (opens in a new tab)
Every city pursuitlending.comPursuitCommunity lender offering SBA and other small business loans from $10,000 to several million dollars. (opens in a new tab)
rochesterangels.comRochester Angel NetworkAngel investors backing early-stage companies in the Rochester region. (opens in a new tab)
springboardny.orgSpringboardFunds and connects the programs that support entrepreneurs in Rochester, Buffalo and the Southern Tier. (opens in a new tab)
theenterprisecenterinc.orgThe Enterprise Center at PathStoneRochester lender offering fixed-rate small business loans with training and pre- and post-loan technical assistance. (opens in a new tab)
Every city tradeadjustment.orgTrade Adjustment Assistance CenterFederal cost-share help, run from Binghamton, for New York manufacturers and service firms whose sales were hurt by imports. (opens in a new tab)
wnyventure.comWestern New York Venture AssociationInvestor network whose venture forums let regional companies pitch to angels and funds. (opens in a new tab)
Programs and accelerators
Every city ogs.ny.govDivision of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business DevelopmentState office that certifies service-disabled veteran-owned businesses and helps them win New York State contracts. (opens in a new tab)
luminate.orgLuminate NYNextCorps accelerator for optics, photonics and imaging startups, with investment on entry and follow-on awards. (opens in a new tab)
nextcorps.orgNextCorpsRochester nonprofit running startup incubation, the Luminate accelerator and growth programs for manufacturers. (opens in a new tab)
Every city nyserda.ny.govNYSERDA Commercialization ProgramNYSERDA's network of mentoring, fellowship, coaching and scale-up programs for New York climate tech startups. (opens in a new tab)
rit.eduRIT Center for Urban EntrepreneurshipDowntown RIT center serving city entrepreneurs with training, mentoring, workspace and the ROC the Pitch competition. (opens in a new tab)
Coworking and spaces
kodak.comEastman Business ParkKodak's industrial campus in Rochester, leasing parcels and providing site utilities and services to manufacturing companies. (opens in a new tab)
rocmakers.orgRochester MakerspaceMember-run nonprofit workshop on St. Paul Street with wood, laser, electronics and fabrication tools and weekly open houses. (opens in a new tab)
serendipitylabs.comSerendipity Labs RochesterCoworking, day offices and meeting rooms on the 24th floor of Innovation Square downtown. (opens in a new tab)
rochestercommissary.orgThe CommissaryShared commercial kitchen incubator at Sibley Square, with hourly rental and food business coaching. (opens in a new tab)