New initiative works to bolster microelectronics and semiconductor industries in New York

Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the launch of the Upstate Defense Initiative. It brings together ESD’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), CenterState CEO, the Griffiss Institute, FuzeHub, and Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families to support workforce development, bolster supply chains, and cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship in the state’s microelectronics and semiconductor industries. The initiative is funded through a $5 million award secured by NYSTAR. “This innovative new program will increase the competitiveness of New York state manufacturers and grow industries that are critical to our nation’s defense,” ESD President/CEO/Commissioner Hope Knight said in a press release announcing the initiative. “From expanding talent pipelines and early-stage accelerator programs to building resilient local supply chains, each organization involved in the Upstate Defense Initiative will contribute their unique expertise to develop a dynamic ecosystem where microelectronics and semiconductor companies will thrive and create new opportunities for New Yorkers.” CenterState CEO will work to strengthen and diversify the microelectronics industry talent pipeline by building capacity with regional training partners and expanding industry partnerships with employers and community organizations to ensure training and career outreach efforts align with industry needs. The money will also support expanded regional training and pre-training programs to connect underrepresented individuals to high-tech careers. CenterState CEO’s new High-Tech Careers Bridge program will take a communitywide approach to help unemployed and underemployed individuals gain the necessary skills to enter industry-specific training and a career pathway. CenterState CEO will also add expertise and capabilities to GENIUS NY, an accelerator program supported by ESD that awards $3 million annually to startups focused on uncrewed aerial systems, automation, and advanced air mobility, and to the Syracuse Surge Accelerator, which provides resources and support for BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color) entrepreneurs wishing to start or grow tech and tech-adjacent startups. The Griffiss Institute will establish a STEM camp and experiential STEM workshops for high school students to encourage more young people to pursue tech careers. The programs will break down real and perceived barriers to careers in the defense and microelectronics industries and provide students with opportunities to meet regional companies and explore career paths. The Griffis Institute also leads the only early-stage defense-industry accelerator, HUSTLE, which combines curriculum with seed-stage investments. Beginning this fall, the program will open its eligibility to microelectronics technologists and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their ventures in the defense industry. Through this program, which works with pre-seed and seed-stage businesses, microelectronics company founders will have the opportunity to pursue investments of $200,000 or more. The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University is building a semiconductor hub focused on the veteran and military-connected community to provide education, resources, off-ramps to training, and employment placement for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. FuzeHub, the statewide center for the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership, is working to connect major defense contractors in New York with small to medium-sized businesses that can help address supply-chain issues and serve as permanent suppliers. It is conducting an industry supply-chain needs and gaps assessment through direct engagement with manufacturers and will also identify companies with the technology, resources, and expertise to meet the identified needs and opportunities. FuzeHub will serve as a clearinghouse of relevant resources to facilitate new collaborations among companies statewide and reinforce the connectivity of the state’s defense and microelectronics ecosystem to reduce barriers to future growth. ESD received the $5 million in funding through the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program, led by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. ESD serves as the state’s chief economic-development agency and uses loans, grants, tax credits, and other forms of financial assistance to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation.