Syracuse in focus (SIF)

Carl Schramm,economist, author, professor and founder of Global Entrepreneurship Week, gave a lunchtime talk at Bird Library on Monday.

Some ways to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, according to Carl Schramm, Syracuse University Professor and LeMoyne College grad, are as follows:

• Make economies grow
• Restore local banks (funding)
• Have less government involvement and reduce regulatory burdens

More start-ups equals more jobs, and at their best entrepreneurs are synthesizers, he said.

The Syracuse-native and former head of the Kauffman Foundation started Global Entrepreneur Week back in 2007. As part of his remarks on Monday, he also talked about our legacy of innovation here in the Salt City.  Syracuse , now known for eds and meds, was once fertile ground for start up enterprises.  In the days of the Erie Canal, he said, New York State was like Silicon Valley.  Together pioneering ventures such as Sanderson Bros. Steel and LC Smith Typewriters helped solidify our region’s national reputation back in the day.

One business leader in the audience hinted that manufacturing may be poised for a healthy resurgence in these parts.

The ideas and dialogue from the Global Entrepreneurship Week at Syracuse University continues thru Nov. 18.