The campus field guide

Colgate University

Hamilton, NY·University

Explore 3 programs ↓Meet the founders ↗Official campus site ↗

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Inside this ecosystem · 4 linked sources

Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, NY, with a mature, well-funded, and deeply alumni-connected entrepreneurship ecosystem. Housed in the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I), the flagship Thought Into Action (TIA) program was founded in fall 2009 and has grown from 8 students in a single room to a comprehensive ecosystem spanning a year-long incubator, summer accelerator, annual showcase ($227K+ cumulative prize funding), coworking space, PE courses, and a NYS Business Incubator & Innovation Hot Spot designation with a $625K grant. TIA has produced 500+ entrepreneurs and 349+ ventures, supported by 150+ alumni mentors.

Include. Colgate has one of the most mature liberal-arts-based entrepreneurship programs in New York State. TIA's 15+ year track record, documented scale (500+ founders, 349+ ventures), substantial and sustained funding ($227K+ showcase total, $625K NYS grant, $5K-$10K per venture), deep alumni mentor network (150+), and dual student-community focus make this a clear. The program's integration with the liberal arts and its continuous evolution (Grand Challenges, Summer Accelerator redesign, PE courses) demonstrates institutional commitment and sophistication.

How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-22); what those sources do not state is left unknown.

At a glance

Indexed programs

All currently active

Top direct funding

$34,000

TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

Equity

No equity on indexed programs

Program mix

Pitch Competition · Incubator · Accelerator

Programs to explore

Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.

3 programs indexed

Pitch Competition

TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

Pitch Competition

Official site

Also: Colgate Entrepreneur Weekend, E-Weekend

$34,000

funding range

Direct fundingNo equityannualActive

Last activity: 2026-04-11
Participants: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
Verification: Verified

Accelerator

TIA Summer Accelerator

Accelerator

Official site

Also: Colgate Summer Accelerator

$10,000

funding range

Direct fundingNo equityannualActive

Last activity: 2025-07-26
Participants: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
Verification: Verified

Incubator

TIA Incubator

Incubator

Official site

Also: Thought Into Action Incubator, TIA

$5,000

funding range

Direct fundingNo equityannualActive

Last activity: 2026-04-11
Participants: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
Verification: Verified

From students

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Founders at this school

Funding and Equity

TIA Incubator: up to $5,000/venture in non-dilutive seed grants. TIA Summer Accelerator: $10,000/team non-dilutive grant + room/board/workspace. TIA Entrepreneur Showcase: $34K+ annually ($227K+ cumulative). All non-dilutive. No equity taken by any program.

Recent Activity

April 2026: 14th TIA Entrepreneur Showcase, $34K+ awarded. PLNT (Porter Comstock '26) wins $10K. May-Aug 2026: Redesigned Summer Accelerator (hybrid, Incubator-only). TIA now in its 16th year (founded fall 2009). NYS Business Incubator and Innovation Hot Spot designation active. Colgate named 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year to Viraj Puri '03 (Gotham Greens CEO).