Innovare Advancement Center: A Catalyst for Innovation and Technology Transfer

Rome, NY – May 1, 2023 – The Innovare Advancement Center, managed by the Griffiss Institute, has established itself as a cornerstone of technological advancement in the Northeast, earning the 2023 Best in Region award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC). This prestigious recognition underscores the center’s pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and advancing national security through strategic partnerships. 

Located in Rome, New York, Innovare Advancement Center is a premier open innovation hub for government, academia, and industry. Innovare is a testament to the region’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge research, collaboration, and commercialization. Since 2008, the Griffiss Institute has been a critical partner to the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) under a long-standing Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). This trusted relationship has helped bridge government research with private-sector innovation, translating groundbreaking ideas into impactful, real-world applications. 

The FLC, a national network of federal laboratories, underscores the importance of technology transfer in turning research into practical solutions. This award reflects the dedication and collaboration of Innovare’s founding partners, including AFRL/RI, Griffiss Institute, Oneida County, the City of Rome, SUNY, the Central New York Defense Alliance, and NYSTEC. By bridging government research with private-sector innovation, Innovare continues to deliver impactful solutions that address critical challenges nationally and globally. 

The center’s mission is realized through its focus on advancing technologies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, quantum sciences, and small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS). These strategic areas align with national priorities, ensuring that Innovare fosters regional economic development and enhances defense capabilities critical to national security. 

Guided by the Five-Year Strategy for Open Innovation launched in 2020, Innovare has set ambitious goals: building a global network of 100 diverse partners, launching 100 entrepreneurial ventures, and advancing intellectual leadership within the community by 10%. These efforts aim to position Innovare—and the region—as a leader in the global innovation ecosystem. 

State-of-the-art facilities support this mission. Innovare boasts specialized labs for quantum communications and neuromorphic computing, collaboration spaces equipped with cutting-edge technology, and access to a 50-mile uncrewed aerial systems corridor. These resources empower researchers and entrepreneurs to drive advancements and deliver solutions to pressing technological challenges. 

Innovare’s success is deeply rooted in its partnership with AFRL/RI. Together with the Griffiss Institute, AFRL/RI leverages Innovare as a platform to extend the reach of federal research and development while fostering collaboration with academia and industry. This partnership exemplifies how strategic relationships can amplify impact, driving technological progress and addressing real-world challenges. 

This collaboration ensures that Innovare remains a beacon of progress, offering unparalleled opportunities for researchers, entrepreneurs, and organizations to contribute to a shared future of innovation and success. 

For more information about Innovare Advancement Center and the Griffiss Institute’s initiatives, Click Here. 

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Due to the severe weather conditions and state of emergency declared by the City of Rome, Rome Labs & Innovare Advancement Center will be closed on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. This closure affects all Griffiss Institute staff, residents, guests, and program participants, including STEM campers, interns, visiting faculty, fellows, and incubator clients. We will resume normal business hours of operation on July 18, 2024.

If you are impacted by the tornado and need assistance please call 211 or text 898-211, the United Way of Mohawk Valley can assist you with proper resources during this time. www.211midyork.com