When people think of upstate New York, they often picture rolling orchards, world-class wineries, and family-run dairy farms – and for good reason. But there’s another side to the region that’s starting to generate lots of buzz: high tech.
From cutting-edge optics and semiconductors to cybersecurity and AI, some of the most exciting innovations in science and engineering are happening right in Keuka College’s backyard.
For students with a passion for technology, that means unique opportunities to see innovation in action – and even play an active role in it. Keuka College’s emphasis on hands-on, real-world learning makes it easy to connect with local leaders who are shaping the future.
Curious about who’s driving the tech boom in the Finger Lakes? Here are seven high-tech companies located within 75 miles of our beautiful lakeside campus.
Clay, NY – Memory Semiconductors
Micron is bringing a $100 billion investment to central New York with its new chip manufacturing site in Clay – one of the largest tech projects in U.S. history. The facility will produce advanced memory used in AI and data systems for companies like NVIDIA and Dell. It’s a big win for American tech and local jobs, with tens of thousands of openings expected. Even better? Making these chips in-state cuts down on overseas shipping and helps reduce environmental impact.
Ithaca, NY – Geospatial Analytics
Ursa Space in Ithaca is turning satellite data into real-world insights. By combining images from space, radar, and real-time flight tracking, Ursa helps users monitor everything from oil tankers and flood zones to air traffic, without needing their own satellites. A 2025 partnership with the company Aireon added even more live data, making Ursa a go-to for industries like energy, insurance, and disaster response. It’s high-tech problem-solving with global impact, powered from right here in the Finger Lakes.
“Keuka College has partnered with hundreds of companies – including high-tech trailblazers like Corning and IDEX – to create economic opportunity in the region. By hosting Field Period® internships, these firms enable students to explore their interests in real-world settings – and many of these short-term placements turn into long-term hires.”
Corning, NY – Advanced Glass/Optics
Corning is a global innovator behind the glass in smartphones and the fiber that keeps the internet running fast. At a major tech conference in 2025, Corning unveiled a new cable that fits twice the data into the same space – meaning quicker connections, lower costs, and less environmental impact. Their cutting-edge work supports tech giants like Google and Meta, and it’s all happening just an hour from Keuka College.
West Henrietta, NY – Life Science Technology
IDEX creates the tiny but powerful parts inside today’s most advanced lab equipment – think microchips, lasers, and filters used in DNA testing and disease detection. Their tools help major biotech companies like Thermo Fisher and Illumina do faster, more accurate science. With a new 100,000-square-foot optics center and next-gen filters, IDEX is helping labs around the world spot disease earlier, using less waste and fewer materials. It’s cutting-edge health tech, made just a short drive from Keuka College.
5. JMA Wireless
Syracuse, NY – 5G Infrastructure
JMA Wireless is building the future of 5G from a revitalized factory in Syracuse. It’s the only company in the U.S. making key 5G equipment used by Verizon and even the Department of Defense. A $44 million federal grant is helping JMA grow its production, proving that advanced telecom gear can be made right here in upstate New York. The results speak for themselves: Better network security, faster rollouts, and great careers in tech manufacturing close to home.
6. Vuzix
Rochester, NY – AR Smart Glasses
Vuzix is bringing augmented reality to everyday life with lightweight smart-glasses that display information right in your field of view. Their newest designs, made with tech partner Quanta, let companies in fitness and healthcare more quickly create their own AR eyewear. With features like hands-free access and real-time captions, Vuzix is making technology more useful, inclusive, and wearable – all from its home base in Rochester.
7. CodeSecure
Ithaca, NY – Cybersecurity Analysis
Based in Ithaca, CodeSecure helps protect the software behind everything from airplanes to medical devices. Their newest tool, CodeSentry 7.2, launched in 2025, uses AI to spot hidden bugs and security risks before products ever ship. It even finds issues buried deep in code most people can’t see. By making security checks faster and smarter, CodeSecure helps companies stay ahead of cyber threats and keeps critical systems – and the people who rely on them – safe.
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