The Tech Garden - Syracuse, New York

Steve K.

Excellent technology incubator. This place is a real plus for Central New York. I went to the "Drones Over Downtown" exhibition and show there in August. It was a very informative show. I got great information about cutting edge drone technology, drone education, and the latest uses for drones in all kinds of fields. As a drone user and pilot, I highly recommend it!

Will J.

Always fun to rub shoulders with the entrepreneurs at Tech Garden.

Last night, at a business incubator called the Tech Garden, I attended two seminars on extreme kinds of banking.

I lucked out.

One served Magic Hat IPA and pizza.

The second offered up an assortment of cheeses, crackers and hummus, washed down with Ling Ling beer.

Sounds like a Japanese beer but it's brewed in Pennsylvania by America's Oldest Brewery.

But that's not why I attended.

The first presentation discussed the Bitcoin phenomenon from a financial planner's point of view.

He had done due diligence because his client's wanted to dive into the currency.

The currency had recently dived from a historical high to a low of 10 thousand.

People took brutal losses before a new normal took hold.

I had thought to take a flyer on some bitcoin just because it can be transferred easily across international lines.

I now know I can buy Bitcoin at Coinbase.

Should I be so daring.

Speaking about daring, the next meeting featured a banker planning to open a branch on the south side of Syracuse in a section known for its poverty.

The section has won the distinction of being the poorest census tract in America.

Residents manage to stay in homes, manage to feed and cloth themselves on less than ten thousand dollars a year.

Yet, Pathfinder Bank has committed to open a branch to serve that tract with banking services, micro-credit programs and even character based lending, which looks at more than a credit score.

I was talking to a man on the bus ride back to Fayetteville.

He struck me as a lawyer because he asked questions well and carried papers in a legal sized accordion folder.

I explained Pathfinder's plan to him.

He repeated me in shock, "Character Based lending is coming to America's poorest census tract"?

"That's what I heard", I answered.

This could be an interesting place to buy a house.

Funny, the two events took place in the Tech Garden, but the first seminar talked to credentialed members of the financial sector.

The second seminar gathered together city leaders, students and Michael Moore types, always looking to do good.

One seminar had no awareness of the other although both addressed the issue of money.

Both events showed up in a casual Facebook search of local events.

Ken S.

Whether you come to learn, network, or seek out innovative businesses this is a dynamic presence in upstate NY. A true driver of exciting change for our community with its impact underestimated.

Carolyn C.

I visited for an Art Show. Art work was very nice but actual set-up was dark and not complimentary.

Sarah R.

Pretty cool place but the parking kind of stinks and would hinder me from coming again.

Maria B.

I came here to see an art exhibition. The place is large and modern

Andy R.

really nifty architecture, a blessing on the community driving the expansion of technologies.

Marjorie R.

David bowie art show was great!