Syracuse innovation fund awards support three local companies and spotlight CNY growth

Three companies in Central New York will receive up to $7,500 each from the SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund, fueling local business development and research. The Taste of Syracuse festival also drew 200,000 people and raised over $30,000 for local charities, showing strong community engagement this fall.

By CNY Signal News Team. October 1, 2026.

KLAW Industries, Mission Power, and TKF will each receive up to $7,500 from the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems (SyracuseCoE) Innovation Fund, according to Syracuse University News.

The SyracuseCoE announced the awards on October 1, 2026. The Innovation Fund aims to help New York State startups clear research and development hurdles and move their technologies closer to market. The fund draws its support from the SyracuseCoE Partner Program, which reinvests membership fees into local innovation efforts.

By The Numbers

• Up to $7,500: Maximum award per company from the SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund, per Syracuse University News
• Three companies: KLAW Industries, Mission Power, and TKF selected for funding, per Syracuse University News
• 200,000 people: Estimated Taste of Syracuse festival attendance over two days, per Eagle News
• Over $30,000: Amount raised for local charities at Taste of Syracuse, per Eagle News
• Sept. 28: Date Skaneateles pickleball courts officially opened, per Eagle News

Innovation fund fuels local business and research

The SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund acts as a seed fund for companies in Central New York and across New York State, helping them advance research and development projects toward commercialization. This year’s recipients each tackle a different challenge in healthy buildings, clean energy, and low-carbon communities, according to Syracuse University News.

KLAW Industries, based in Binghamton, is working with faculty from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse. Their project focuses on using ground windowpane and bottle glass to improve the microbial environment of concrete. This research could lead to concrete with self-healing properties and greater durability, which matters for infrastructure projects in places like Syracuse, where freeze-thaw cycles and salt take a toll on roads and sidewalks.

Mission Power, out of Potsdam, is developing advanced insulation components for solid-state transformers. These components could shrink the size and cost of power systems used in solar, storage, electric vehicles, and building integration. Mission Power is collaborating with Brian Helenbrook, the Paynter-Krigman Endowed Chair in Engineering Science Simulation at Clarkson University. Their work could help make renewable energy systems more affordable for homeowners and businesses in Central New York, where energy costs and grid reliability are ongoing concerns.

TKF, a Syracuse-based company, is building a software and hardware platform for the Hydropod XL. This mechanical system is designed to eliminate fossil fuel use for heating and hot water in low-rise residences. The Hydropod XL can be installed in one to two days and features an AI-enabled, cloud-based monitoring system for multifamily homes. With many older homes in Syracuse relying on oil or gas heat, TKF’s technology could offer a faster path to electrification and lower utility bills for local landlords and tenants.

Jensen Zhang, executive director of SyracuseCoE, said the Innovation Fund program is essential for fostering collaboration between industry partners and university researchers. The 2026 judging panel included volunteer reviewers who evaluated pitches from across the state, ensuring a competitive selection process.

The Innovation Fund has supported dozens of companies since its launch, with past recipients going on to secure additional investment or pilot projects in Central New York. The fund’s focus on healthy buildings and clean energy aligns with Syracuse’s push to modernize its housing stock and reduce carbon emissions, especially as the city prepares for major infrastructure changes like the I-81 viaduct removal.

For startups like TKF, the funding can help bridge the gap between lab research and real-world installation. Syracuse’s mix of older housing and new construction provides a testbed for energy innovations. Companies like KLAW Industries and Mission Power benefit from access to university labs and faculty expertise, which can speed up product development and open doors to larger grants or contracts.

The SyracuseCoE headquarters on East Washington Street serves as a center for these collaborations. The building itself is a showcase for green building technologies, with features like advanced ventilation and energy monitoring systems. Local companies often use the facility for pilot projects or demonstrations, giving them a chance to show off their work to potential investors and customers from across Central New York.

Community events draw thousands to downtown Syracuse

While innovation is happening in labs and offices, downtown Syracuse has been packed with people this fall. The Taste of Syracuse festival, Central New York’s largest food and music event, brought an estimated 200,000 people to Clinton Square and surrounding blocks over two days, according to Eagle News.

The festival raised over $30,000 for local charities, including Feed Our Vets and Honor Flight. Food vendors lined the streets, offering everything from salt potatoes to barbecue, while local bands played on multiple stages. For many Syracuse residents, Taste of Syracuse is a fall tradition, drawing families, college students, and visitors from as far as Utica and Auburn.

Community organizations set up booths along Erie Boulevard and South Clinton Street, sharing information about local services and volunteer opportunities. The event’s fundraising success reflects a strong appetite for in-person gatherings and local support for charitable causes. Many attendees said they look forward to the festival each year as a way to reconnect with neighbors and support small businesses.

Downtown businesses also benefit from the festival crowds. Restaurants and bars along Walton Street and Armory Square reported higher sales during the event, and several shops extended their hours to accommodate the influx of visitors. The city’s Department of Public Works closed several streets to traffic and set up extra trash and recycling bins to keep up with the crowds.

For more on upcoming events and activities, visit our community events page.

Skaneateles celebrates new pickleball courts

Just west of Syracuse, Skaneateles marked the official opening of its new pickleball courts at Austin Park on September 28, according to Eagle News. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought out State Sen. Rachel May, Skaneateles Town Supervisor Chris Legg, and Steve and Jackie Miron, who were the primary private donors for the project.

The new courts add to the recreational options in the lakeside town, which has invested steadily in public spaces over the past decade. Austin Park, located just off Jordan Street, already hosts youth sports, concerts, and community events. The pickleball courts are expected to draw both residents and visitors, especially as the sport gains popularity among all age groups.

Steve and Jackie Miron’s donation made the project possible, and local officials said the courts will serve as a gathering spot for years to come. The opening drew dozens of players eager to try out the new surface, and the town’s recreation department plans to offer lessons and tournaments in the coming months.

Skaneateles has seen a wave of community-driven development, from park upgrades to expanded walking trails. The pickleball courts are the latest example of residents and donors teaming up with local government to improve quality of life. Town Supervisor Chris Legg said the project shows what’s possible when the community comes together around a shared goal.

What these developments mean for Central New York

For people living in Syracuse and nearby towns like Skaneateles, these stories point to a season of growth and engagement. The Innovation Fund awards show that local institutions are investing in the next generation of businesses, with projects that could impact infrastructure, energy, and housing across Central New York.

The turnout at Taste of Syracuse and the opening of new recreational facilities in Skaneateles reflect a community eager to gather, support local causes, and enjoy the fall season. These developments come as Syracuse continues to see changes downtown, from the I-81 viaduct project to ongoing investments in public spaces and events.

Local leaders say these investments in business, recreation, and community events help keep Central New York competitive and attractive to both residents and newcomers. As companies like TKF and KLAW Industries grow, they create jobs and opportunities for local graduates from Syracuse University, SUNY ESF, and other area schools.

Meanwhile, events like Taste of Syracuse and new amenities in towns like Skaneateles give people more reasons to stay, visit, and get involved. The combination of business innovation and community spirit is shaping the future of Syracuse and its neighbors, one project at a time.

For more updates on new businesses and economic trends, check our Syracuse business page.

Where to check for updates

For the latest on SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund projects, visit the SyracuseCoE website. For community event schedules and local news, follow the City of Syracuse and Skaneateles town websites, as well as our community events page.

📷 Wikimedia Commons , Center of Excellence, Syracuse University (2014).jpg , CC (verify per file at commons.wikimedia.org)

Sources

• Syracuse University News, details on SyracuseCoE Innovation Fund awards
• Eagle News, Taste of Syracuse festival attendance and fundraising
• Eagle News, Skaneateles pickleball courts opening