The campus field guide
Marist University
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Inside this ecosystem · 4 linked sources
Marist University is a private university founded in 1905, located in Poughkeepsie, NY overlooking the Hudson River. Undergraduate enrollment of ~5,551; total enrollment ~6,356 (Fall 2024). Campus spans ~242 acres with additional east campus properties including the Fulton Technology CrossRoad development. Known for its School of Management, Marist Poll, and IBM partnership.
Maybe-include. Marist has made meaningful investments in entrepreneurship infrastructure: a $15.8M incubator/innovation center, $3M cloud computing center, $28.5M makerspace, and an annual regional pitch competition. However, it lacks a university-managed venture fund, formal accelerator, documented tenant/startup outcomes from the CIE, and a dedicated student pitch competition with significant Marist-originated prizes. The entrepreneurship ecosystem is solid for a university of its size but does not meet thresholds for capitalized venture building.
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
3
All currently active
Top direct funding
$15,000
Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition
Equity
No equity on indexed programs
Program mix
3
Incubator · Student Club · Pitch Competition
Programs to explore
Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.
3 programs indexed
Pitch Competition
Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition
Pitch CompetitionAlso: MHRBPC, Marist Regional Business Plan Competition
$15,000
funding range
- Last activity
- 2023-03-31
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students
- Verification
- Verified
Incubator
Also: Marist CIE, Fulton Technology CrossRoad
—
funding range
- Last activity
- 2018-06-01
- Participants
- Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students +more
- Verification
- Partially Verified
From students
Be the first student from Marist University to post a startup.
Post a startupFunding and Equity
No university-managed venture fund, seed fund, or proof-of-concept fund for student startups. The Hudson Valley Startup Fund is an external angel group that meets at Marist but is not university-managed. The Marist SPARK Grant program ($100K competitive fund) is for faculty/staff initiatives, not student ventures. The Mid-Hudson Regional BPC prize funding is at the state (NYBPC) level, not Marist-originated.
Recent Activity
2026: Hudson Valley AI Summit (2nd annual). 2025: Marist Young Entrepreneurs Innovation Challenge (30 teams). 2024: MYE founded; Entrepreneurship Lab and Saxbys cafe open in Dyson Center. 2023: 11th annual Mid-Hudson Regional BPC. 2019: Steel Plant makerspace completed.
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Accessadoor LLC
Marist University · Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition
Accessibility-focused venture founded by Dana Jones '20 after winning the Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition hosted by Marist University.
Lifehacker
Marist University
Productivity and tech media site founded by Gina Trapani (Marist CS '97).
ModernSoftware
Marist University
Software venture co-founded by Marist student Alex Warfel.
Pilota
Marist University
AI-powered travel risk software founded by Marist CS alum Kulvinder Lotay ('18); Forbes 30 Under 30.
Historical winners (research notes)
- Pilota — AI-powered travel risk software. Founded by Kulvinder Lotay (Marist CS '18). Forbes 30 Under 30.
- Accessadoor LLC — Founded by Dana Jones '20 after winning Mid-Hudson Regional BPC.
- ModernSoftware — Co-founded by Marist student Alex Warfel.
- Lifehacker — Founded by Gina Trapani '97.
Research gaps & things to verify
Missing Information
- Current (2019-2026) occupancy and tenant outcomes at Fulton Technology CrossRoad / CIE
- Student startup capital raised and venture formation metrics
- Marist-managed venture or seed fund for student startups
- Formal accelerator program (none identified)
- Tech transfer / IP commercialization office with public portfolio
- Whether the Social Enterprise Leadership Certificate is currently enrolling
More about this ecosystem
Marist University
News & articles
4 news articles and official sources documenting entrepreneurship programs, winners, and activity at Marist University.
4 sources
Official sources(4)
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Fulton Technology CrossRoad
Marist University
# Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship — Fulton Technology CrossRoad Westfair Communications article (May 3, 2016) detailing Marist's plans for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at 51 Fulton Street. $1.5M Empire State Development grant, $15.8M project, 25,000 sq ft office/incubation space for technology-based businesses. Building purchased 2013 (45,000 sq ft warehouse), renamed Fulton Technology CrossRoad. Expected opening summer 2018.
Marist University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Sources
Marist University
# Marist University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Sources Supporting evidence for Marist's broader entrepreneurship ecosystem. Includes: Marist entrepreneurship program page (current) — concentration within Business Administration B.S. NYS Cloud Computing and Analytics Center — CCAC website, $3M state grant, incubation/prototyping services Steel Plant makerspace — Empire State Development release (Feb 2019), $2.5M NYS + $26M Marist investment These sources establish the curricular and physical infrastructure context.
Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition Sources
Marist University
# Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition Sources Marist University "Around Campus" page (Spring 2023) and cross-referenced materials documenting the annual Mid-Hudson Regional Business Plan Competition hosted by Marist. The 11th annual competition was held March 31, 2023. Multi-college event (7+ institutions) advancing winners to the New York State Business Plan Competition. Sponsored by TD Bank, AT&T, iCANny.
# Marist Young Entrepreneurs Club Profile Marist University News profile (April 22, 2025) of Tyler Mecca '27, founder and president of the Marist Young Entrepreneurs (MYE) club. Club founded Fall 2024, bi-weekly meetings, membership grew 250%+ in first year. Hosted Innovation Challenge with 30 teams and 60 participants (November 2025). Faculty advisor: Dr. David Gavin.
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