The Ain Center works with community partners such as NextCorps, Excell Partners, The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN), TechRochester, the Rochester Data Science Consortium, Rochester Angel Network, and the City of Rochester to strengthen and expand the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

NextCorps

NextCorps, formerly High Tech Rochester, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University, offers programs and events to support entrepreneurs in the greater Rochester community, including the Rochester Venture Challenge and Annual Celebration of Entrepreneurship Luncheon, a business incubator, and Luminate – the world’s largest startup accelerator for optics, photonics, and imaging.

Excell Partners

Excell is a VC fund that invests in Seed and Early Stage high-tech startups in New York State focused on Upstate NY. Excell has the dual mission of generating returns and supporting economic development. Excell’s Portfolio includes investments in Medical Device, Materials, Energy, Biotech, Agtech, Imaging, and IT/Software ventures across NY State.

TechRochester

TechRochester is a non-profit organization that focuses on bringing technology professionals together within the community. The organization supports professional growth on an individual level, in the hopes that together we can encourage the growth of technology within the Rochester region.

Rochester Data Science Consortium

The Rochester Data Science Consortium aims to help area businesses create sustainable growth by providing the resources and relationships necessary to foster innovation using data science. RDSC can help monetize the information, insights and value hidden in the data you already have or guide you to finding data an organization may not know exists.

Rochester Angel Network

The Rochester Angel Network is a group of accredited investors interested in early stage, high growth investment opportunities. It is a network that facilitates introductions for entrepreneurs and investors and is designed to link entrepreneurs with capital funding they need to expand in the Greater Rochester, New York, Region.

The Entrepreneurs Network

The Entrepreneurs Network, or TEN, is for startups who are commercializing scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, and for small businesses who can scale by tapping new markets or expanding their product portfolios.  This focus on growth potential drives powerful peer-to-peer learning, and leads to real-world success stories. TEN members do better: winning government grants and contracts, increasing revenues by retooling sales & marketing strategy, and securing equity financing or traditional sources.

Young Entrepreneurs Academy

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) teaches students in grades 6-12 how to start their own company over the course of an academic year. The Academy runs classes across the United States and abroad. The original YEA! class began at the University of Rochester and continues to be offered on River Campus from September to May.

Are you a community organization interested in partnering with the Ain Center? Contact AinCFE@rochester.edu to set up a meeting with a staff member.