The campus field guide
Iona University
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Inside this ecosystem · 2 linked sources
Iona University is a private Catholic university in New Rochelle, NY (also Bronxville campus), with a well-defined entrepreneurship ecosystem centered on the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Founded in 2017 with a $15M gift, the Hynes Institute operates a 3,800 sq ft coworking/makerspace in Spellman Hall and runs the annual Iona Innovation Challenge ($20K total prizes). The Institute is treated as a distinct school alongside LaPenta School of Business, School of Arts & Science, and the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, reflecting institutional commitment to entrepreneurship education.
Include. Iona has a well-defined, institute-centered entrepreneurship program with a dedicated physical space, $20K annual competition, structured mentoring, and strong institutional commitment (treated as a distinct school). The USASBE Model Program Award and 8+ year competition track record demonstrate quality and consistency. However, the absence of equity investment, seed funding, formal tech transfer, and limited startup outcome transparency place it. Iona is a meaningful teaching-oriented entrepreneurship campus.
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
2
All currently active
Top direct funding
$10,000
Iona Innovation Challenge
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
2
Entrepreneurship Center · Pitch Competition
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
2 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
$10,000
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-05-01
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Entrepreneurship Center
Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Entrepreneurship CenterAlso: Hynes Institute, Iona Hynes Institute
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2026-04-10
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
- Verification
- Verified
From students
Be the first student from Iona University to post a startup.
Post a startupFunding and Equity
Innovation Challenge: $20K total ($10K/$5K/$3K + $1K + $1K), non-dilutive grants, no equity. No equity investment or seed fund program. All IP released to student teams.
Recent Activity
Spring 2026: 9th Iona Innovation Challenge. 2025: 8th IIC with 43 teams, USASBE Model Program Award. CEO conference wins (Jared Balcacer $4K). Fall Startup Pitch Competition (129 students, 30 finalists). Inclusive Entrepreneurship partnership with Viscardi Center announced.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Adaptive Gamer
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2023 Iona Innovation Challenge first place; OT accessibility gaming project.
Algae 3
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2022 Iona Innovation Challenge first place; sustainable algae venture.
Backyard Blendz
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2018 Iona Innovation Challenge first place Technology winner.
Balcacer's Bouquets
$6,000
prize won
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2024 Iona Innovation Challenge first place ($6K).
Bracelet Buddy
3rd place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
Wrist stabilizer that helps users clasp jewelry independently. 2025 Iona Innovation Challenge third-place finisher.
Evital
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2020 Iona Innovation Challenge first place by Raymond Carapella.
FrostCore V2
Finalist
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2025 Iona Innovation Challenge Promising Prototype; sneaker restoration device.
Jobs Transition Initiative
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2018 Iona Innovation Challenge first place Social Entrepreneurship winner.
PlanGenie
Finalist
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2025 Iona Innovation Challenge Fan Favorite; AI activity recommendation app.
SipSation
$10,000
prize won
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
Sensory water bottle with integrated fidgets designed for neurodivergent teens. 2025 Iona Innovation Challenge first-place winner ($10K).
Strendex
2nd place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
Tendon rehabilitation device developed by Iona student entrepreneurs. 2025 Iona Innovation Challenge second-place finisher.
The Love Wrap
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2021 Iona Innovation Challenge first place.
The People's Kitchen
1st place
placement
Iona University · Iona Innovation Challenge
2019 Iona Innovation Challenge first place Social Entrepreneurship winner.
Historical winners (research notes)
- SipSation (2025 IIC 1st, $10K) — Sensory water bottle with fidgets for neurodivergent teens
- Strendex (2025 IIC 2nd) — Tendon rehabilitation device
- Bracelet Buddy (2025 IIC 3rd) — Wrist stabilizer for jewelry clasping
- PlanGenie (2025 IIC Fan Favorite) — AI activity recommendation app
- FrostCore V2 (2025 IIC Promising Prototype) — Sneaker restoration device
- Balcacer's Bouquets (2024 IIC 1st, $6K) — Jared Balcacer, also CEO 3rd Place $4K
- Adaptive Gamer (2023 IIC 1st) — OT student project
- Algae 3 (2022 IIC 1st) — Lazar Paroski, Cara du Preez
- The Love Wrap (2021 IIC 1st) — Sabrina Finn, Hannah Schultz
- Evital (2020 IIC 1st) — Raymond Carapella
- The People's Kitchen (2019 IIC 1st Social Entrep) — Alexandra Arluna
- Jobs Transition Initiative (2018 IIC 1st Social Entrep) — Ali Reza-Reyes
- Backyard Blendz (2018 IIC 1st Technology) — Elijah Ware
Research gaps & things to verify
Missing Information
- Total capital raised by Iona startup ventures
- GaelVentures incubator cohort size and graduate outcomes
- Number of Innovation Challenge applicants (only finalists and participants known)
- Formal tech transfer or IP commercialization office
- Equity investment or seed fund program (none identified)
More about this ecosystem
Iona University
News & articles
2 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Iona University.
2 sources
Official sources(2)
Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Homepage
Iona University
Iona University
Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Homepage
Official homepage of the Hynes Institute, Iona's university-wide entrepreneurship hub. Founded 2017 with $15M gift. 3,800 sq ft coworking space in Spellman Hall. Hosts Iona Innovation Challenge ($20K total prizes), GaelVentures incubator space, and mentoring programs. USASBE 2025 Model Program Award. BS Entrepreneurial Leadership, BBA Entrepreneurship, minor, and graduate certificates offered.
Read on Iona University
Iona University
Iona Innovation Challenge Program Page
Official page for the Iona Innovation Challenge, Iona's annual pitch competition. Spring 2026 is the 9th edition. Prize breakdown: $10K 1st, $5K 2nd, $3K 3rd, $1K Fan Favorite, $1K Superlative Awards ($20K total). Documents 2025 winners (SipSation, Strendex, Bracelet Buddy), participation stats (43 teams, 57 students), and winners from 2018-2024. Three milestones: video pitch, executive summary, slide deck. Open to all Iona undergrad and graduate students.
Read on Iona University
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