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For immediate release
April 4, 2022

A Collaboration Innovation Corridor Reaching Across Borders

The Kingston-Syracuse Pathway partnership will strengthen the region’s unique economies.

Kingston, Ontario – April 4, 2022 – The Kingston-Syracuse Pathway is a cross border partnership that provides companies with innovative and easy solutions to help them grow into the international markets.

Established in 2018, the Kingston-Syracuse Pathway is the fourth cross border collaboration in Canada between business, government, and academic leaders from both sides of the border. The Kingston-Syracuse Pathway will maximize the competitive advantages of Kingston and Northern and Central New York State by facilitating a formal cross-border collaboration on cutting edge research and development, unlocking new global markets for entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, and improving connectivity between governments. The overall vision of the Kingston-Syracuse Pathway is to enhance connectivity and position the region as a leading global innovation ecosystem.

The cities of Kingston and Syracuse are naturally connected in proximity and through shared economic advantages and interests. Kingston, Syracuse, and their surrounding regions are both home to world-class academic and research institutions, innovation ecosystems in key market sectors, including health innovation, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. Both cities enjoy close access to major economic hubs including Toronto, Montreal, and New York City.

Kingston Economic Development, Queen’s University, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, State University of New York Upstate Medical University and Upstate Medical University’s Central New York Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) are pleased to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding to further the partnership and collaboration opportunities.

“By combining our world-class resources, we aim to further advance cross border collaboration and we are excited for this strengthened relationship. The Kingston-Syracuse Pathway will continue to remove barriers for cross-border collaboration for key sectors including health innovation, cleantech and advanced manufacturing,” says Donna Gillespie, CEO, Kingston Economic Development Corporation.

“The relationship between Kingston and Syracuse has continued to strengthen over the past several years. The partnership has included academic medicine and related industries in biotechnology working together as major economic engines for both regions. There have been research partnerships and new entrepreneurial ventures successfully launched. We are very enthusiastic about the continued growth of our relationship,” says Dr. Robert Corona, Chief Executive at State University of New York Upstate Medical University.

The collaboration will help facilitate market entry into the U.S. or Canada for entrepreneurs and innovators through the Soft-Landings Program. It will encourage cross-border strategic partnerships focusing on agreed upon strategic sectors with a focus on health innovation. It will also expand resource-rich education networks and service providers available to innovators.

“We look forward to identifying and pursuing collaborative research opportunities with our colleagues in Syracuse to advance mutual research priorities in health innovation, low carbon, and smart cities, and to supporting economic development initiatives that will bring prosperity to our regions”, says Jim Banting, Assistant Vice-Principal, Partnerships and Innovation, Queen’s University.

“For the last several years KHSC has been working locally to develop our health innovation strategy and this new Kingston-Syracuse Pathway provides a unique opportunity for cross-border teamwork and innovation among academic, health-care and business leaders to benefit care for our patients and families. Throughout the recent pandemic we learned that collaboration and diversity are critical to multiplying the value of our efforts and fast-tracking innovation. We look forward to realizing the closer relationships in our geographic corridor and the economic/innovation prospects this initiative promises,” says Dr. David Pichora, President & CEO, Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

With world-class institutions on board from both sides of the border, it will provide opportunities to advance research collaboration in key areas of innovation.

“This collaboration was born out of a university research interest collaborative, The Clayton Summit, and has grown into a responsive partnership to include not only research but also shared education opportunities and innovation interests to advance cross-border technology,” says Kathi Durdon, Executive Director, CNYBAC.

“With our similar size, industries and close proximity, Kingston is a natural partner for Syracuse,” says Robert Simpson, president of CenterState CEO. “We are hopeful that this partnership – with its opportunities to build cross border collaboration in research and development, supplier networks and entrepreneurial ecosystems - can help businesses within Central New York expand to new markets. We look forward to building this relationship further, and the opportunities it will create.”

To learn more about Kingston Syracuse Pathway visit

Media Contact:
Nour Mazloum
Marketing & Communications Officer
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
mazloum@kingstoncanada.com

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