Our Mission
To increase the vitality of the local and area economy by recruiting, nurturing, and training a diverse group of emerging and mature businesses, providing them with business incubation, development, education, market access, and credit assistance, using highly skilled trained professional counselors.
SSIC’s broad clientele includes aspiring, new, and existing entrepreneurs, women, minorities, low income individuals, individuals with disabilities, and those interested in food product development and manufacture. SSIC provides the intellectual, monetary, and leadership capital that helps entrepreneurs succeed in establishing profitable and sustainable businesses.
About SSIC
The South Side Innovation Center (SSIC) was created by the nationally ranked Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) program at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. SSIC accomplishes its mission through its resident programs.
Our History
Opening April 1, 2006 in 1,700 square feet at the former showroom and warehouse of Dunk and Bright at 2610 South Salina Street in Syracuse, NY, SSIC immediately added space to accommodate a demand which continued unabated. Since its founding in 2006, SSIC has:
- Engaged 4,600 individuals in services
- Provided 686 people with hands-on counseling, training, & mentoring
- Assisted 831 businesses & created 384 new businesses
- Aided 300 disabled or low income individuals, helping them register 70 businesses, of which 51 of are in operation
- Helped secure $1.4 million in loans
- Created 447 jobs & helped retain 123 jobs
- Engaged companies with gross receipts of #31 million
SSIC and its resident programs have helped or engaged companies with gross receipts of $31 million. SSIC is also moving “beyond the box” of the South Side, to help create and support businesses in other developmental hotspots. SSIC was named Incubator of the Year in 2012 by the National Business Incubation Association and was recognized as the 2015 Award of Excellence for Outstanding Program Performance and Achievement and Dedication to the Entrepreneurs of New York State at the New York State Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) Annual Conference.
The SSIC celebrated its 10th Anniversary in early 2016.
