Building Vconnect
The most common reason cited by Upstate's alumni/expatriate entrepreneurs for leaving the region was lack of access to people who could assist in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Upstate New York consists of widely dispersed and isolated communities which are further partitioned into multiple corporate and academic silos. Few companies have a presence in more than one community and it is rare to find people commuting between metro areas for business or personal reasons. Experienced mentors, service providers and investors within each community are often unaware of the talent within university campuses and vice versa. At the same time, online searches and social networks enable Upstate entrepreneurs to find resources in entrepreneurial hubs like Boston, NYC, etc. Once they move to a more entrepreneurial region, these entrepreneurs are quickly connected into a dense network that speeds their success.
VConnect is UVC's online platform designed to increase connectivity, collaboration, and engagement among Upstate's dispersed and siloed communities. Specifically, VConnect:
- Enhances the visibility of Upstate's high-growth entrepreneurs beyond their physical location
- Increases entrepreneur access to and engagement with a wider resource network within Upstate as well as alumni/expatrate communities
- Engages and informs capital providers, high-growth talent, and other supporters of Upstate entrepreneurial efforts (e.g., colleges and universities, professional/technical service providers, incubators and economic development agencies)
Membership on Vconnect is by invitation only.
The Vconnect platform is designed to host multiple online communities with different affinities and criteria for acceptance. Contact Us to learn more about how your community can begin using VConnect.
