Like the entrepreneurs we serve, we’re always moving. That’s the essence of what we do at NextCorps — help forward ideas, technologies, and businesses faster. Since opening our doors on the sixth floor of the Sibley Building five years ago, we’ve served well over 500 companies through our programs. That kind of progress calls for a celebration. And celebrate we did!
On Wednesday, June 28th, we gathered with clients, staff, board members, donors, and community partners where we cut the ribbon years ago — in our startup incubation space, the historic Tea Room of Sibley’s past. As they walked through our facility to get there, guests passed old photographs from the preliminary build-out phase, a visual reminder of how much can change in just a few short years!
In his remarks to the crowd, NextCorps President, Jim Senall, expressed his pride and gratitude for the positive impact collectively made in the region. He shared highlights from NextCorps 2022 Impact Report, which is packed with results from our programs and initiatives. Through our incubation services alone, we crushed the goal set in 2018 to support 100 startups in five years.
“I’m thrilled to be able to announce that we’ve exceeded that goal by quite a bit,” said Senall. “Over the last five years, we have worked with 148 startups plus, through our affiliation with the University of Rochester, an additional 24 student startup companies.”
County Executive Adam Bello extended his congratulations to NextCorps, alongside Mayor Malik Evans and Vinnie Esposito, Senior Vice President for Regional Economic Development at Empire State Development and Assistant Secretary for Upstate Intergovernmental Affairs under NYS Governor Kathy Hochul.
“When we ask ourselves, how are we going to be successful — not just today or tomorrow, but ten or twenty years from now? What do we want Rochester to look like? It’s the work that you’re doing,” said Bello. “You are the future of the community. And government should be investing in the entrepreneurs and innovators that call our community home.”
Bello ended his remarks with a proclamation, declaring June 28th to be a day to recognize NextCorps and all the contributions it makes to our community and the future leaders in Monroe County.
“When we located this facility in this building, it was a merging of growing efforts to find a downtown home for then High Tech Rochester, and to remake Downtown Rochester — and it’s been a great fit,” said Esposito. “I love every time I’m here, the energy I get, whether it’s just a few people working quietly on their headphones, or a group of people networking and talking about ideas, or a Luminate awards show… It always gives me optimism and hope every time I come through here and work with all of you, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Good Vibes, Great Guests, Heartfelt Appreciation
Our fifth anniversary celebration fell in the middle of the Rochester International Jazz Festival’s 20th edition, so we knew guests would be in the mood for music. Thank you to the talented jazz trio led by Wade McClung (pictured above) and to Venture For ClimateTech’s own Jack Baron for bringing the entertainment!
To all of our clients and partners who joined us in commemorating this important milestone, your presence at the event meant a great deal to us. It was powerful to see so many influential individuals and organizations come together under one roof, and to know we all share a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, driving innovation, and fostering economic growth.
We’re honored to have you as part of our network, and we look forward to what’s next!
