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• “We are creating a regional foundation for a healthy green economy in Western New York.”

  Martin Casstevens

  Director, Directed Energy

By ELLEN GOLDBAUM

Published: May 18, 2009

UB’s Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) has been awarded $1.5 million by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to establish a clean energy business incubator program that will provide business support to accelerate the successful development of early-stage, clean energy technology companies in Western New York.

The Directed Energy program is designed to join the technical expertise of UB scientists and engineers with the business development skills of the university’s technology incubator to foster clean energy companies and job growth in Western New York. The NYSERDA funds are aimed at assisting companies throughout the incubation process and developing a financially self-sustaining program that makes Western New York a regional center for developing clean energy technologies.

“We are creating a regional foundation for a healthy green economy in Western New York,” says Martin Casstevens, business formation and commercialization manager for STOR and director of Directed Energy. “This is just the beginning of a long-term program to concentrate resources and technical skills to grow alternative energy businesses in Western New York. We have programs to assist local energy companies, energy entrepreneurs and scientists to develop sustainable clean energy technologies.”

The Directed Energy program also will work with the Buffalo-Niagara Enterprise to attract energy companies to Western New York by marketing the region’s natural and institutional assets.

In addition, Directed Energy will develop curricula to better prepare university students for the green economy and to help companies provide quality continuing education to employees. Alfred University, Buffalo’s Insyte Consulting and Buffalo-Niagara Enterprise, UB’s Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE), Lockport’s Harrison plant incubator, Niagara County’s Vantage Center and Batavia’s Harvester Center are partners in the Directed Energy program.

“Throughout the state, from garages and workshops to university laboratories, innovative New Yorkers are working to meet our energy requirements in ways that improve our environment and make our economy more robust,” says Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO of NYSERDA. “Under the leadership of Gov. Paterson, the prospect to start and grow renewable and clean energy technology companies right here in New York remains bright.”

Paterson’s Renewable Energy Task Force Report, issued in February 2008, made several recommendations calling for increased support to clean energy businesses. NYSERDA has led efforts to establish clean energy business incubators that provide guidance, technical assistance, and consultation to young growing companies so they contribute to New York State’s economy and are well positioned to compete on national and global levels.