Recently, the Central Business Journal of New York talked about the expansion of the South Side Innovation Center. This program is hosted by the Syracuse's management school, Martin J. Whitman School of Management. The center provides a place for entrepreneurs to come together cultivate and grow businesses within the community while increasing the number of locally-owned stores in the neighborhood and creating new jobs. The program started in 2006, and has seen 16 business begin as a result of their services. They focus on giving these entrepreneurs training, support and monitor their efforts for both virtual and local businesses. At the same time, they provide the basic needs to the businesses that are starting out. They also provide a rich sense of community, providing a place for the new business owners to collaborate.
Some of the examples are: Kingdom Bus Tours, Always on Time, and FYM Logic.
We've previously discussed the importance of the presence of universities adding to the innovation process in the United States. What do you think? The promotion of collaboration and innovation is important throughout the community. Do you know of any other examples of universities taking the lead to promote innovation for their community?