The campus field guide
Hofstra University
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Inside this ecosystem · 5 linked sources
Hofstra University is a private university in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, with a well-defined entrepreneurship infrastructure anchored by the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) and the NY State–Certified ideaHUb incubator. The ecosystem includes recurring pitch competitions with substantial non-dilutive prizes (Seiman Venture Challenge at $25K total, Lion's Den at $900), a state-certified incubator with makerspace, and community-facing programs (EAC, ASCEND, MWBE certification). Hofstra's entrepreneurship activity is coordinated through IIE, which also houses the Scott Skodnek Business Development Center and supports academic programs including a BBA in Entrepreneurship through the Zarb School of Business.
Include. Hofstra has a clearly defined and coordinated entrepreneurship ecosystem anchored by a NYS Certified incubator, recurring pitch competitions with meaningful non-dilutive prizes ($25K Venture Challenge), and strong community engagement programs (EAC, ASCEND). The IIE provides effective central coordination. However, the lack of equity investment programs, limited startup outcome transparency, and absence of significant tech transfer infrastructure place this. Hofstra is a meaningful regional entrepreneurship node on Long Island.
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
4
All currently active
Top direct funding
$15,000
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
3
Pitch Competition · Incubator · Entrepreneurship Center
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
4 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge
Pitch CompetitionAlso: Hofstra-Digital Remedy Venture Challenge, Seiman Venture Challenge
$15,000
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-04-10
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
$400
funding range
- Last activity
- 2025-11-19
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Incubator
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-06-22
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
- Verification
- Verified
Entrepreneurship Center
Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship CenterAlso: IIE, Hofstra IIE
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-04-10
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
- Verification
- Verified
From students
Be the first student from Hofstra University to post a startup.
Post a startupFunding and Equity
Seiman Venture Challenge: $25K total ($15K/$6K/$4K), non-dilutive grants, no equity. Lion's Den: $900 total ($400/$300/$200), no equity. ideaHUb: indirect support (space, mentorship, professional reimbursements). No formal equity investment or seed fund program. All IP released to student teams.
Recent Activity
2026: Seiman Venture Challenge (April 10, $25K awarded, 3 winners). 2025: Lion's Den (November 19, $900 awarded). ideaHUb actively incubating 6 companies. EAC and ASCEND programs ongoing.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Cater AI
$300
prize won
Hofstra University
2025 Hofstra Lion's Den second place ($300); AI catering platform.
Citrusly Fresh
Hofstra University
Current ideaHUb incubator consumer product venture.
Cloudscann
Hofstra University
ideaHUb alumni incubator company.
Corely
$15,000
prize won
Hofstra University · Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge
Service professional coordination platform connecting clients with vetted home and field service providers. 2026 Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge first-place winner ($15K).
Count
Hofstra University
ideaHUb affiliate venture providing CPA continuing education.
Customary
Hofstra University
ideaHUb alumni incubator company.
Dare Drop!
$400
prize won
Hofstra University
2025 Hofstra Lion's Den first place ($400).
Our Bloom
Hofstra University
Current ideaHUb incubator venture focused on women's health period tracking.
Plant Up
Hofstra University
Current ideaHUb incubator plant-related consumer venture.
Promptly
$200
prize won
Hofstra University
2025 Hofstra Lion's Den third place ($200).
Rounds
$6,000
prize won
Hofstra University · Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge
AI-powered physician networking platform for clinical collaboration. 2026 Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge second-place winner ($6K).
Sightful
Hofstra University
ideaHUb alumni incubator company.
Switchstix
$6,000
prize won
Hofstra University · Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge
Adjustable lacrosse stick system for youth players. 2026 Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge second-place winner ($6K).
Historical winners (research notes)
- Corely (2026 Venture Challenge 1st, $15K) — Service professional coordination platform
- Switchstix (2026 Venture Challenge 2nd, $6K) — Adjustable lacrosse stick
- Rounds (2026 Venture Challenge 2nd, $6K) — AI physician networking platform
- Dare Drop! (2025 Lion's Den 1st, $400) — Student startup
- Cater AI (2025 Lion's Den 2nd, $300) — AI catering platform
- Promptly (2025 Lion's Den 3rd, $200) — Student startup
- Our Bloom (ideaHUb current) — Women's health period tracking
- Plant Up (ideaHUb current) — Plant-related venture
- Citrusly Fresh (ideaHUb current) — Consumer product
- Count (ideaHUb affiliate) — CPA continuing education
- Customary (ideaHUb alum) — Past incubator company
- Sightful (ideaHUb alum) — Past incubator company
- Cloudscann (ideaHUb alum) — Past incubator company
Research gaps & things to verify
Missing Information
- Total capital raised by ideaHUb companies and Venture Challenge winners
- Number of companies graduated from ideaHUb annually
- Venture Challenge applicant numbers and selection rate
- Equity investment or seed fund program (none identified)
- Formal tech transfer/commercialization office
- Capital One student venture program outcomes
More about this ecosystem
Hofstra University
News & articles
5 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Hofstra University.
5 sources
Official sources(5)
Hofstra University
Community Initiatives Page
Official page for IIE community programs supporting Long Island small businesses. Details EAC 10-Week Program (60-hour intensive), ASCEND (MWBE certification assistance), QuickBooks Training, AI for Business Growth workshops, Digital Marketing Bootcamps. Partnerships with Nevalliance, Viscardi Center, AARP, BBIP, local Chambers of Commerce, and Social Innovation Summit with SUNY Old Westbury/Nassau CC.
Read on Hofstra University
Hofstra University
ideaHUb Incubator Program Page
Official page for the ideaHUb, a 4,811-square-foot NYS Certified Business Incubator in Guthart Hall. Includes makerspace (3D printers, laser cutter, drone, etc.), co-working, event space. Offers mentorship, professional reimbursements, internships, legal office hours, coaching, and LI Innovation Hot Spot connection. Lists 6 current incubator companies and 13+ past companies.
Read on Hofstra University
Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Homepage
Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Homepage
Official IIE homepage. University-wide institute fostering entrepreneurship through boot camps, workshops, and mentor sessions. Home to Scott Skodnek BDC (State EAC). Core enterprises include Hofstra-Digital Remedy Venture Challenge and Unispan Records student-run record label. Three program areas: ideaHUb incubator, Community Initiatives (EAC, ASCEND, MWBE), and Faculty & Students programs.
Read on Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Lion's Den Pitch Competition Page
Official page for the Lion's Den Shark Tank-style pitch competition. $900 total prize pool ($400/$300/$200). 2-minute elevator pitches, top 10 finalists. Fall 2025 event held November 19 in ideaHUb. Open to all current Hofstra students. Judges include Entrepreneur-in-Residence, ideaHUb coordinator, and IIE executive director. No equity taken.
Read on Hofstra University
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Program Page
Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge Program Page
Official page for the Hofstra-Seiman Venture Challenge, sponsored by Evermore Games LLC. 2026 prizes: $15K 1st, $6K 2nd, $4K 3rd plus mentoring sessions with Mike Seiman. Documents 2026 winners (Corely, Switchstix, Rounds), application schedule (March 2-27, 2026), competition date (April 10, 2026), and rules. Open to all Hofstra students, no equity taken, no company required.
Read on Hofstra University
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