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Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY·University
Clarkson University is a private engineering/tech university in Potsdam, NY, with a comprehensive and deeply integrated entrepreneurship ecosystem — one of the strongest for its size in New York State. The infrastructure is anchored by three complementary units: Clarkson Ignite (student innovation hub), the Shipley Center for Innovation (regional entrepreneurial support hub, NYS Certified Business Incubator), and the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship (academic entrepreneurship center in the Reh School of Business). Clarkson hosts the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition (since 2013, 14th annual in 2026), operates the Cube student business incubator (since 2018), and awards over $50K annually through the Reh School first-year business program. The Shipley Center has consulted on 400+ projects and facilitated 160+ new startups across the North Country. Clarkson is also an NSF I-Corps site.
At a glance
Indexed programs
3
3 currently active
Top direct funding
$50,000
Reh School First-Year Business Experience
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
3
Pitch Competition · Course Based Competition · Incubator
Research verdict
Include. Clarkson has a best-in-class entrepreneurship ecosystem for its size: three complementary units (Ignite, Shipley, Reh), a dedicated student incubator with proven outcomes (Cube/KLAW), a long-running regional pitch competition (14 years), significant annual funding ($50K+ Reh + competition prizes + ignition grants), NYS Certified Business Incubator designation, NSF I-Corps site, angel investor network, full-tuition entrepreneurship scholarships, and community-facing programs. The breadth, depth, longevity, and documented outcomes are exceptional.
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
3 programs indexed
Funding and Equity
Reh First-Year Experience: $50,000+ awarded annually in non-dilutive grants. NCRBPC: $2,500-$5,000 grand prize + track prizes ($250-$1,000) + special awards. Cube: no direct funding but access to ignition grants, competition winnings, investor connections. Shipley Center: ignition grants (amounts TBD). I-Corps: discretionary funding + $50K at national level. Point Positive: angel investment (equity). No equity taken by university programs.
Recent Activity
March 2026: 14th Annual NCRBPC with 70+ students, 26 ideas. Port Patch wins $2,500 grand prize. June 2025: North Country Entrepreneurship Meetup launched. December 2025: Shipley Center active on LinkedIn with monthly meetups. 2026: I-Corps offering three cohorts (spring, summer water, fall). KLAW Industries (Cube grad) secures NYSDOT approval and opens production facility.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Doorbit
$500
prize won
Clarkson University · North Country Regional Business Plan Competition
2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Greatest Commercialization Potential winner ($500 Shipley prize).
Eagle Eye Drones
Clarkson University
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture at Clarkson Ignite.
EmelieMinis
$5,000
prize won
Clarkson University · North Country Regional Business Plan Competition
2024 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); learn-to-crochet kits by Emelie Laribee.
Fathead Feeder
$5,000
prize won
Clarkson University · North Country Regional Business Plan Competition
2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($5,000); pet feeding solution by Lily Clonan. Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar.
KLAW Industries
Clarkson University · The Cube (Clarkson Ignite)
Eco-friendly cement replacement (Pantheon) from Clarkson Cube incubator; NYSDOT-approved with millions in funding and a production facility in NYS.
North Shore Solutions
Clarkson University
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture at Clarkson Ignite.
Nuovo
Clarkson University · The Cube (Clarkson Ignite)
Beverage industry alternative from Clarkson Cube with multiple business plan competition and Project Expo prizes.
Parker's Real Maple
Clarkson University
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture at Clarkson Ignite.
Port Patch
$2,500
prize won
Clarkson University · North Country Regional Business Plan Competition
2026 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC grand prize ($2,500); medical comfort device by Sophie Kobayashi, Delaney Petri, and Briana Dieckmann.
Sendy Paradise
Clarkson University
Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture at Clarkson Ignite.
TrioTech
$500
prize won
Clarkson University · North Country Regional Business Plan Competition
2023 Clarkson North Country Regional BPC Most Innovative Technology winner ($500 Shipley prize).
Historical winners (research notes)
- KLAW Industries (Cube) — Eco-friendly cement. NYSDOT-approved, millions in funding.
- Nuovo (Cube) — Beverage alternative. Multiple competition wins.
- Port Patch (2026 NCRBPC grand prize) — Medical comfort device. $2,500.
- EmelieMinis (2024 NCRBPC grand prize) — Learn-to-crochet kits. $5,000.
- Fathead Feeder (2023 NCRBPC grand prize, YIE) — Pet feeding solution. $5,000.
- TrioTech (2023 Most Innovative Technology) — $500 Shipley prize.
- Doorbit (2023 Greatest Commercialization Potential) — $500 Shipley prize.
- Parker's Real Maple — Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture.
- Eagle Eye Drones — Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture.
- Sendy Paradise — Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture.
- North Shore Solutions — Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs scholar venture.
Missing Information
- Cube total venture count since 2018.
- Shipley Center ignition grant amounts and award frequency.
- Reh Center $50K distribution model (number of teams, individual award sizes).
- Current Point Positive investment track record with Clarkson startups.
- Follow-on outcomes for most competition winners beyond headline ventures.
Clarkson University
News & articles
8 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Clarkson University.
8 sources
Official sources(8)
Clarkson University
Clarkson I-Corps
Official I-Corps program page. NSF-affiliated program run by the Shipley Center. Lean Launchpad/customer discovery methodology. Three cohorts in 2026 (spring, summer water research, fall). Virtual via
Read on Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Clarkson Ignite — Student Innovation Hub
Official landing page for Clarkson Ignite, the premier student innovation hub. Describes Makerspace, Student Entrepreneurship (Cube incubator, NCRBPC), Ignite Project Expo & RAPS, and Ignite scholarships.
Read on Clarkson University
Ignite Scholarships (Presidential Fellows & YIE)
Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Ignite Scholarships (Presidential Fellows & YIE)
Official page for Ignite Presidential Fellows and Young Innovators & Entrepreneurs full-tuition scholarships. YIEs are students who develop and grow impactful business ventures. References Fathead Feeder (Lily Clonan) and prior NCRBPC win.
Read on Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Reh Center for Entrepreneurship
Official Reh School of Business innovation page describing the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship, First-Year Business Experience, Clarkson Ignite, and Shipley Center. Key source for the $50K+ annual funding figure.
Read on Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Shipley Center for Innovation
Official Shipley Center page. Describes services and role as entrepreneurial support hub. Established by Charles R. and Lucia Shipley. Provides business formation, customer development, ignition grants, incubator spaces, investor connections, prototyping, patent filing, and workshops.
Read on Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Clarkson Student Entrepreneurship (Ignite)
Official Ignite student entrepreneurship page. Documents the Cube incubator, North Country Regional Business Plan Competition, funding opportunities, and North Country Launch Day.
Read on Clarkson University
14th Annual North Country Regional BPC
Clarkson University
Clarkson University
14th Annual North Country Regional BPC
News article documenting the 14th Annual North Country Regional Business Plan Competition (March 27, 2026). Organized by Clarkson Ignite. 70+ students, 26 ideas, 5 tracks.
Read on Clarkson University
Upstate Founders Program (Shipley Center)
Clarkson University
Clarkson University
Upstate Founders Program (Shipley Center)
Article documenting completion of the Upstate Founders program run by the Shipley Center for Innovation. Included online CET courses, Mastermind peer groups, and partnerships with 30+ organizations. Also references Clarkson Ignite student experiential opportunities.
Read on Clarkson University
This profile lists 3 programs for Clarkson University. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.
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