Syracuse’s Clean Tech Center Recognized for Advancing Innovative Sustainable Business Practices

The Clean Tech Center, a Syracuse-based business incubator funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), has been recognized for its accomplishments by the Institute for Sustainable Development.

The Center, which is currently assisting 12 companies through its incubation program and has provided technical assistance to more than 100 green-tech companies in its first year of operation, received the Institute’s 2010 Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise Award for its work to help the nation, Central New York, and its members understand the economic benefits of sustainable business practices. It is the second national award the Center received this year for its work to grow Central New York’s economy.

The Center was established by the CenterState CEO with $1.5 million in financial assistance from NYSERDA and provides a facility for the incubation and acceleration of early-stage clean energy companies, and direct financial support.

NYSERDA president and CEO Francis J. Murray Jr. said, “This award recognizes that, in just one year, The Clean Tech Center has established itself as an important player in the development of New York’s growing clean energy economy. I commend the leadership of The Clean Tech Center and our partners at the CenterState CEO for their vision and hard work to position Central New York for economic growth in the future.”

Linda Hartsock, Vice President of Innovation and Technology for CenterState CEO and Executive Director of The Clean Tech Center said, “We are proud to be part of NYSERDA’s ecosystem. NYSERDA’s vision in creating innovative programs, such as its portfolio of clean energy incubation centers, is positioning New York State as a global leader in advancing sustainability. We’ve enjoyed a tremendous partnership with NYSERDA and look forward to working together to grow the clean energy economy.”

Among The Clean Tech Center’s portfolio of innovative programs and services cited in the award is its annual Green Business Showcase, the largest event of its kind in the northeast, with more than 7,000 annual attendees. In addition, the Institute recognized the Clean Tech Center’s “Green Innovation Exposition” program, which is designed to engage young entrepreneurs in idea formation around green business concepts.

In April, The Clean Tech Center was selected one of the “Top 10 Global Cleantech Cluster Organizations 2010” in a report produced by Sustainable World Capital. Syracuse’s Clean Tech Center is currently ranked second in the United States over CleanTech San Diego and The Environmental Business Cluster in San Jose, California. It was ranked 6th in the world ahead of Sweden’s Stockholm Miljöteknikcenter, and Canada’s Ontario Clean Water Initiative.

In addition to the Clean Tech Center in Syracuse, NYSERDA has funded incubators at the University at Buffalo, Rochester Institute of Technology, Stony Brook University, University at Albany, and the Polytechnic Institute of New York University in Brooklyn.

NYSERDA funds are used to assist companies throughout the incubation process and to develop financially self-sustaining programs in each region of the state that will strengthen New York’s clean tech economy. Collaborators to these incubators include leading New York State colleges and universities, investors, utilities, technology and industry associations, and government agencies.

For more information, visit thecleantechcenter.com or nyserda.org.