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Colgate University
Hamilton, NY·University
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.
At a glance
Indexed programs
3
3 currently active
Top direct funding
$34,000
TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
3
Pitch Competition · Incubator · Accelerator
Research verdict
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.
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
3 programs indexed
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).
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Cha'Gate
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA campus bubble tea venture.
EchoScape
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA therapeutic sound design venture.
Hatch Pay
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA digital wallet for events.
MajiSafi Solutions
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA venture addressing water scarcity in Kenya.
Oasis Running
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA running apparel venture.
PLNT
$10,000
prize won
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
2026 Colgate TIA Entrepreneur Showcase $10K winner; plant industry drones/ML.
RUBY
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA food waste reduction venture.
SoilSoul
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA sustainable farming venture.
Vitalize
Colgate University · TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Colgate TIA health and wellness venture.
Missing Information
- Current cohort size and annual throughput (data from 2019).
- Total ventures accelerated since 2013 and follow-on outcomes.
- Seed grant disbursement schedule across stages.
- The Hub utilization metrics and community impact.
Colgate University
Known Ventures
- PLNT (Porter Comstock '26) — 2026 Showcase $10K winner. Plant industry drones/ML.
- MajiSafi Solutions (Agnes Ndanu '28) — Water scarcity in Kenya.
- Hatch Pay (Fletcher Goodell '26) — Digital wallet for events.
- EchoScape (Mike Ahearn Wilcox) — Therapeutic sound design.
- Cha'Gate — Campus bubble tea venture.
- RUBY (Riley Decker '23, Emily Untermeyer '23) — Food waste reduction.
- SoilSoul (Harshitha Talasila '26) — Sustainable farming.
- Vitalize (Talia Broder '28) — Health/wellness.
- Oasis Running (Andrew Sullivan '26) — Running apparel.
- Scores of additional ventures across consumer, tech, social impact, and campus initiatives.
News & articles
4 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Colgate University.
4 sources
Official sources(4)
Colgate University
Colgate E&I Student Programs Page
Overview page for E&I student programs. Describes TIA Incubator (up to $5K seed grants, Sept-April, mentorship), Idea Squad, TIA Summer Accelerator, and Harvard Business School Online certificate partnerships.
Read on Colgate University
Colgate University
TIA Incubator Program Page
Official Thought Into Action program page. Describes TIA Incubator (year-long, Sept-April, up to $5K seed grants), TIA Summer Accelerator ($7,500 grant), Idea Squad, PE courses, Campus Venture Initiative, and TIA Entrepreneur Showcase.
Read on Colgate University
Colgate University
2026 TIA Summer Accelerator
News article about the 2026 TIA Summer Accelerator redesign. Now exclusively for TIA Incubator ventures. May 11-Aug 7. Hybrid: 4-day on-campus intensive + remote summer. Structured mentorship continuum.
Read on Colgate University
Colgate University
2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
Detailed article about the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase (April 11, 2026). Documents pitch competition finalists, $10K top prize to PLNT (Porter Comstock '26), audience choice awards ($5,500 total), Iggy game ($10K to 30 ventures), and $227K+ cumulative prize total.
Read on Colgate University
This profile lists 3 programs for Colgate University. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.
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