Upstate Medical University

Mentors and Startup Support Organizations

MENTORS AND STARTUP SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Mentors and Startup Support Organizations can greatly impact an early stage startup company's trajectory.  These individuals and organizations are willing to guide you.  

If you would like to reach out to a mentor, please contact:  cnybac@upstate.edu.

Action Innovation Network


ACTION Innovation Network is a collaborative network of technology business incubators and other entrepreneur support organizations. Together they promote the growth and success of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, share resources and best practices, strengthen technology clusters, and contribute to economic improvement. The network of incubators provides diverse resources and a highly- supportive hub in which entrepreneurs, business leaders, government agencies, community leaders, investors, universities, and other interested organizations can collaborate toward the successful commercialization of technology enterprises that will build a prosperous economy, improve quality of life and sustain the health of our environment.

 http://www.actionnewengland.org

Benson Chan

Benson Chan

Binghamton University
Benson Chan

Electronics Packaging, reliability, environmental testing, materials characterization, package design, design for manufacturability, testability


Email: chanb@binghamton.edu

Phone: 607-777-4349   

Business Incubator Association of New York (BIANYS)

Nonprofit trade association/professional membership organization of incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces


The Business Incubator Association of New York (BIANYS) is a nonprofit trade association established in late 2005. It is governed by a nine-member board of directors elected by the general membership. This professional membership organization brings together a community of engaged program leaders of incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces spanning all corners of New York State. This network of dedicated leaders works tirelessly to foster a dynamic, diverse, creative, and successful startup ecosystem spanning all corners of the state.

www.bianys.com

CenterState CEO

Economic Development Strategy, Business Leadership Organization


CenterState CEO is an independent and forward-thinking economic development strategist, business leadership organization and chamber of commerce; dedicated to the success of its members and the prosperity of the region.  Membership provides access to business development assistant and connections to nearly 2,000 member businesses of all sizes across Central and Northern New York.  Whether your business is large or small, already a member of interested in becoming one, we invite you to join our efforts to enhance business competitiveness, economic development and quality of life in our region.  

Core focus areas:  business and economic development; innovation and entrepreneurship; economic inclusion; research, policy and planning. http://www.centerstateceo.com/

Cesar Colasante MD

Cesar Colasante MD

SUNY Upstate
Cesar Colasante MD


3D printing, CAD/CAM design Product Design and Innovation

Email: colasanc@upstate.edu

Devin Mack

Devin Mack

Enqual, LLC
Devin Mack


Mentorship:  Product realization, design control, risk management, FDA and EU regulatory, CAPA, Root Cause Analysis, Design of experiments. 

Email: devin.mack@enqual.us

Phone: 315-233-8220

Doug Buerkle

Doug Buerkle

The Research Foundation for SUNY
Doug Buerkle


Enterprising business executive with demonstrated ability to lead, grow , and foster new enterprises.
Has consistently managed , mentored and advised organizations which have delivered best-in-class performance.

Email: mbuerkle@rochester.rr.com

Drew Berweger

Drew Berweger

Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi, PC
Drew Berweger


I am a patent attorney with 15 years of experience, I can offer guidance and suggestions about creating a comprehensive Intellectual Property protection strategy.

I am a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law and was a member of the New York State Science & Technology Law Center while I was there, so I am aware and knowledgeable about these types of companies and the area of the state.

dberweger@csglaw.com

www.csglaw.com

212-324-7285

Empire State Sevelopment

Promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation


Empire State Development

In New York State, tomorrow starts today – with the talent and the resources that fuel the future. Leading companies and smart, dynamic, innovative new businesses are starting here, moving here and thriving here.  The mission of Empire State Development (“ESD”) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance.

NYS Certified Business Incubators and Innovation Hot Spots:  https://esd.ny.gov/certified-business-incubator

CNY ESD Regional Office:  https://esd.ny.gov/regions/central-new-york

Manufacturing Extension Partnerships:  https://esd.ny.gov/new-york-manufacturing-extension-partnership

http://www.esd.ny.gov/

FuzeHub

Manufacturing Network, Grants


FuzeHub provides NYS manufacturers with guided access to our extensive network of industry experts, programs and assets to solve productivity, commercialization, research and development issues, and other challenges to growth.  The FuzeHub team are dedicated, experienced manufacturing, technical and business professionals who are knowledgeable gateways to New York’s vast technology, research, engineering and equipment assets, deep domain expertise and expansive program resources and services. FuzeHub responds directly to all company requests within 24-48 hours.  Our manufacturing specialists speak at length and work one-on-one with your company’s request representative, and engage domain experts as necessary to assess and analyze your company-specific needs and resource search services. Connections to solutions strategies and resources are expedited through this highly-effective, hands-on process and at unique, in-person meeting opportunities at our Solutions Forum events held throughout the year across New York state.

https://fuzehub.com/

Gary Schueler

Gary Schueler

The Write Group
Gary Schueler


 Bio

  •  Founded and ultimately sold three, separate small companies to global enterprises; companies ranged in size from 10 to 60 people.
  • All companies involved in life science or financial industry communications: traditional, digital and social.
  • Worked in executive capacity for several global companies ranging in size from 300 to 4,000 people, including P&L responsibility.
  • Won many industry awards for content development and company awards for outstanding contribution and growth.
  • Clients served include Amgen, Sanofi Genzyme, Boeheringer-Ingelheim, many smaller/emerging drug, device, and healthcare service organizations.
  • Managed the ISO registration process in 2017.

Areas of expertise

  • Life science and healthcare communications--proposals, SOPs, PR and IR, business plans, instructional and marketing materials, packaging, market research.
  • General small business management, strategic planning, operations, sales/marketing, quality systems.

 Mentoring Topics: 

  • Sales/Marketing, Business Development Strategies, Product Launch Strategies 

Email: mancillotti@lpm-adv.com

Website: www.lpm.com

Ithaca Area Economic Development


Since 1964, Ithaca Area Economic Development (formerly Tompkins County Economic Development) has continued to work tirelessly to grow, retain, and attract companies that provide high-quality employment opportunities. We strive to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and business development. Strategic partnerships with businesses, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), government, and area non-profits contribute to these efforts.

info@ithacaareaED.org

www.tcad.org

Jennifer Tran

Jennifer Tran

CH Robinson
Jennifer Tran

Assist with supply chains and develop future shipping plans


Jennifer Tran is an Account Coordinator at C.H. Robinson, a leading third-party logistics provider in Downtown Syracuse. She is interested in helping technology startups optimize their supply chains and develop future shipping plans. Her current portfolio includes Fortune 500 manufacturers to small, regional manufacturers across the country.

She was introduced to the CNY Biotech Accelerator through the Tech Garden where she has won Hack Upstate and attends Women in Coding and among other software developer events.

Email: jennifer.tran@crytochicks.ca

Kathi Durdon

Kathi Durdon

CNY Biotech Accelerator
Kathi Durdon

Mentoring Topics: Medical device regulations, FDA Good Clinical Practice (GCP) regulations, Clinical Trials process


As a prior Director of Clinical Trials at an academic medical center and Manager of Clinical Affairs at a medical device manufacturer, Ms. Durdon has over 15 years of experience in clinical research, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) regulations, medical device clinical trials, and human factors evaluations. Ms. Durdon is a GCP Certification Instructor for the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) and Chairs the SOCRA annual Medical Device Research and Regulations Conference.  Ms. Durdon also manages an annual Medical Device Innovation Challenge.

Email: durdonk@upstate.edu

Phone: 315-464-9290

Launch NY

Venture Development Organization


Launch New York, Inc. (Launch NY) is a 501(c)(3) venture development organization whose mission is to identify, support and invest in high-growth, high-impact companies and catalyze the entrepreneurial culture to drive job and wealth creation in the 27 westernmost counties of Upstate New York.   are a Venture Development Organization (VDO) encompassing the 27 counties of Upstate NY, playing a unique and necessary role: Providing “Proof of Concept” Funding AND Support.  Launch NY serves the following counties: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.

http://www.launchny.org

 

Linda Dickerson-Hartsock

Linda Dickerson-Hartsock

Blackstone Launchpad Syracuse University
Linda Dickerson-Hartsock


Linda Dickerson Hartsock directs the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars at Syracuse University, a cross-campus innovation and entrepreneurship program, and is also an adjunct faculty member in the Whitman School of Management.

 Prior to joining Syracuse University, Linda was Vice President, Innovation and Technology, for CenterState CEO, a 12-county regional policy and development organization. Additionally, she launched The Clean Tech Center, an award-winning NYSERDA-funded incubator. In that role, she also served a dual role as Director, Industry Collaboration, SyracuseCoE -- a New York State Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems. In her role with CenterState CEO, she also served as executive director of The Syracuse Technology Garden (The Tech Garden) in downtown Syracuse. She helped establish and fund the award-winning Student Sandbox entrepreneurship program as an U.S. EDA University Center, funded through a $500,000 grant.

Email:ldhart@syr.edu

Phone:315-706-8034

Marty Byrne

Marty Byrne

Marty Byrne

Insurance, Risk Management, Workers Compensation, Liability, Property, Crime Insurance, Cyber Liability


Marty Byrne is a Sales Executive at Travelers. He began his brokerage career in 2010 at Brown & Brown of New York as an Account Executive and Unit Leader in the Commercial Insurance Services (CIS) Division. While focusing on a variety of industries, Marty has a specialty in addressing the needs of technology, healthcare, and not-for-profit organizations. He recently obtained his AAI (Accredited Advisor in Insurance) and is working toward his CIC (Certified Insurance Councilor) designation. Marty graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Accounting from Niagara University. He enjoys volunteering his time as a member of the Tech Garden Resource Pool as well as with several local not-for-profit agencies.  

 

MedTech

Bio Med Trade Organization


MedTech connects New York State’s Bio/Med industry through collaboration, education and advocacy. We are an active association of over 100 pharmaceutical, biotech and medical technology companies, their suppliers and service providers and research universities. For more than 10 years we have boosted the success and growth of our members.

http://www.medtech.org/

New York State Economic Development Council

Economic Development Organization


The New York State Economic Development Council is the state’s principal organization representing economic development professionals. Our 900 members include the leadership of Industrial Development Agencies, Local Development Corporations, commercial and investment banks, underwriters, bond counsels, utilities, chambers of commerce and private corporations.  The purpose of NYSEDC is to promote the economic development of the state and its communities, encourage sound practices in the conduct of regional and statewide development programs, and to develop education programs that enhance the professional development skills of NYSEDC members.

http://www.nysedc.org/

NYS Science+Technology Law Center / Innovation Law Center

Early Stage Research Commercialization Services


The NYS Science + Technology Law Center has been a leader in technology commercialization for nearly a decade. Since our inception, we’ve assisted hundreds of companies and institutions in their quest to commercialize emerging technology.  The Syracuse University College of Law Innovation Law Center provides early stage research reconnaissance: Technology Intellectual Property Protection: Market Information Regulatory Landscape Funding / Corporate Structure / Legal

http://nysstlc.syr.edu/

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)

Business counseling, training and research


The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, pro-bono, confidential business counseling, training, and business research.  We work with real people and real businesses. Our assistance helps people like you achieve real success, as it has for more than 30 years.

http://www.nyssbdc.org/index.aspx

Raymond Dromms

Raymond Dromms

Raymond P. Solutions, Inc.
Raymond Dromms


Dedicated to helping other companies bring new devices to market, scale up existing devices, and achieve practical & compliant improvements. We work with companies to:
  •  improve product quality or safety
  • design, test, verify, and validate new products
  • identify, validate, & implement cost savings
  • qualify new processes, new equipment, and new suppliers
  • investigate and correct part, process, or product defects
  • improve/remediate quality system issues
  • solve the most challenging technical problems

 This can include:

  • New Product Integration & Ongoing Support
  • Ensured process development & manufacturing process validation of innovative new medical devices
  • Advise on design for manufacturability from early stages to selection & development of worldwide supply chains
  • Lead & facilitate Value Engineering teams to discover & implement quality & cost savings for medical devices including directly partnering with suppliers and international design & marketing teams
  • Direct Sustaining Engineering improvements in medical devices utilizing effective risk-based decision making & qualifications

Email: info@raymondpsolutions.com

Phone: 315-944-0877

Richard Engel, Esq.

Richard Engel, Esq.

Mackenzie Hughes
Richard Engel, Esq.

Mentoring Topics: Business Legalities


Email: rengel@mckenziehughes.com

Phone: 315-233-8220

Rina Corigliano-Hart

Rina Corigliano-Hart

OneGroup
Rina Corigliano-Hart


Vision

OneGroup exists to reduce risk for individuals and businesses and to assist them in being successful in their personal and commercial endeavors. We are committed to always returning superior service and value to our clients for which they reward us with their loyalty.

To achieve this vision, OneGroup continually seeks to strategically add companies whose areas of expertise are highly compatible with our own and to hire the most competent and customer-focused experts and specialists. Our strategy is to fully integrate these companies, combining professionals and services into a single, collaborative experience for the client.

In other words: OneGroup strives to differentiate itself by providing each client more, wider and deeper expertise to help them solve their most pressing issues and to contribute to their success.

Mission

OneGroup’s mission is to create ONE company, working as ONE team, with ONE focus, and ONE mission: to serve each client as our ONE client.

Email: rhart@onegroup.com

Phone: 315-413-4492

Shannon Sullivan

Shannon Sullivan

Upstate New York I-Corps Node
Shannon Sullivan

Entrepreneurship training for scientists and engineers, NSF I-Corps


Email: sts63@cornell.edu

Steven King

Steven King

Central New York International Business Alliance
Steven King


Exports, International Trade

Email: sking@cnyiba.net

Phone: 315-470-1800

Steven Lickstein, Esq

Steven Lickstein, Esq

Newman & Lickstein
Steven Lickstein, Esq


Mentoring Topics: Steven advises all types of companies, from a couple of founders with an idea to more developed companies, in a wide variety of corporate and commercial matters. Steven has experience representing major venture capital firms and many emerging growth companies in the healthcare, biotech, software and information technology industries from the founder's workbench through institutional venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic transactions, intellectual property counseling and technology transactions.

Email: stevelickstein@newmanlickstein.com

Phone: 315-422-1172 Ext: 17

The Manufacturers Association of New York (MACNY)


MACNY, The Manufacturers Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association representing over 300 businesses and organizations across Central and Upstate New York. About three-quarters of MACNY’s members are industrial companies with the remaining members consisting of accounting firms, insurance agencies, law firms, financial institutions, and other service providers.  MACNY members supply the region, nation, and world with a variety of products and services. Distributed across 26 counties in Central and Upstate New York, MACNY’s member companies employ over 50,000 workers.  The Association is governed by an experienced Board of Directors and supports a staff of 17. For members and the community, MACNY’s staff provides a wide range of services, including training and leadership development, networking events, human resources services, advocacy, energy and purchasing solutions, and workforce development. This portfolio is designed to provide members with the tools, information, people, and resources they need to compete in the global market. 

http://www.macny.org

The Small Business Association

Offering information on loans, grants, bonds and other financial assistance


The Small Business Association offers information on small business loans, grants, bonds and other financial assistance. The SBA does not make loans directly.

https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ny/syracuse

The Research Foundation for SUNY Innovation and Partnerships

Services to Fuel Innovation, Move Ideas and Inventions to the MarketPlace


RF SUNY Innovation and Partnerships The RF offers services that fuel innovation, move ideas and inventions to the marketplace and complement SUNY’s efforts to create entrepreneurship and revitalize New York’s economy.

Joint Ventures and Strategic Partnerships
SUNY Insure

SUNY Turbo

Technology Accelerator Fund

Innovate NY Fund

https://www.rfsuny.org/our-work/innovation-and-partnerships/

Jamie Wood, MBA

Jamie Wood, MBA

Welch Allyn
Jamie Wood, MBA

Mentoring Topics: Portfolio Management, Voice of Customer (VOC), Analyzing Market Conditions


Email: jamie.wood@hillrom.com

Phone: 315.685.2502