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University of Rochester

Rochester, NY·University

University of Rochester is a private R1 research university in Rochester, New York, founded in 1850. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on the rochester-ain-center (led by Vice Provost Dr. Duncan Moore), which coordinates all programming including the rochester-mark-ain-competition ($13.5K fall business model competition), rochester-forbes-competition (engineering-focused, $6K/$3K/$1.5K, running since 1989), rochester-e5-program (tuition-free fifth-year fellowship), and rochester-ain-incubator at NextCorps.

The rochester-ur-ventures tech transfer office reports 124 invention disclosures, 40 patents issued, $2.3M in licensing income, and 29 license agreements. The ecosystem is further strengthened by UR-affiliated NextCorps (70+ startups incubating, $733M raised since 2018, $10M expansion underway) and Excell Partners (UR-affiliated seed/early-stage venture capital fund).

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At a glance

Indexed programs

6

6 currently active

Top direct funding

$13,500

Mark Ain Business Model Competition

Equity

Mixed equity terms

Program mix

5

Entrepreneurship Center · Incubator · Pitch Competition

Research verdict

Include. University of Rochester has a mature, multi-layered entrepreneurship ecosystem centered on the Ain Center. Multiple well-documented competitions (Mark Ain $13.5K, Forbes $6K), a unique tuition-free fifth-year fellowship (e5), an active tech transfer office with real metrics ($2.3M licensing income, 40 patents), and deep regional connections through UR affiliates NextCorps (70+ startups, $733M raised) and Excell Partners. The Forbes Competition's 35+ year track record demonstrates longevity. material, active startup and commercialization infrastructure.

Programs to explore

Compare funding, equity, and timing before you apply.

6 programs indexed

Funding and Equity

UR offers multiple non-dilutive funding sources: Mark Ain Competition ($13,500 total), Forbes Competition ($10,500 total, $6K max), and e5 Program (tuition waiver). UR Ventures manages the Technology Development Fund for researcher commercialization (amounts not disclosed). Excell Partners provides equity investment to UR-affiliated startups. Licensing through UR Ventures may involve cash or cash-plus-equity terms.

Recent Activity

  • 1989-present: Forbes Competition continuous operation (35+ years).
  • 2007-present: Mark Ain Competition continuous operation.
  • 2025-2026: e5 Program active with fall/spring cohorts.
  • 2025: NextCorps announces $10M expansion (mid-2026 opening).
  • April 2026: Forbes Competition winners (MuLinx, DroneGurus, Guidus Medical).
  • November 2025: Mark Ain Competition winners (Scyntek, VivoFlux, Convort).
  • March 2026: Student incubator Final Pitch Night at NextCorps.
  • Ongoing: UR Ventures active with 124 disclosures, 40 patents.

Known startups and winners

Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.

See every startup

Convort

3rd place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2025 Rochester Mark Ain Business Model Competition third place.

DroneGurus

2nd place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2026 Rochester Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition second place.

Glucose Guardian

1st place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2025 Rochester Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition first place.

Guidus Medical

3rd place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2026 Rochester Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition third place.

MeDescover

3rd place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2025 Rochester Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition third place.

MuLinx

$6,000

prize won

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

1st placeCompetition winner

Engineering venture and first-place Forbes Competition winner (2026, $6K) at the University of Rochester. Founded by Hossein Abolhassani.

Scyntek

1st place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2025 Rochester Mark Ain Business Model Competition first place.

VivoFlux

2nd place

placement

University of Rochester · Charles and Janet Forbes Entrepreneurial Competition

Competition winner

2025 Rochester Mark Ain Business Model Competition second place.

Historical winners (research notes)
  • MuLinx (Hossein Abolhassani) — Forbes 1st 2026.
  • DroneGurus (Guruansh Kohli, Nate Bogdan) — Forbes 2nd 2026, 2nd 2025.
  • Guidus Medical (Tim Guida) — Forbes 3rd 2026.
  • Glucose Guardian (Alexa Trzpis) — Forbes 1st 2025.
  • MeDescover (Gurcan, DeVries, Farnam) — Forbes 3rd 2025.
  • Scyntek (Karthik Ramakrishnan) — Mark Ain 1st 2025.
  • VivoFlux (Chen, Linares, Sharipol) — Mark Ain 2nd 2025.
  • Convort (Hashem Alomari) — Mark Ain 3rd 2025.

Missing Information

  • TDF grant amounts and recipient list.
  • Student incubator cohort size and specific startups.
  • Excell Partners fund size and UR-specific portfolio.
  • TEAM Master's enrollment and outcomes.
  • Historical Mark Ain prize distribution (1st/2nd/3rd amounts).
  • e5 program venture outcomes and alumni startups.

University of Rochester

This profile lists 6 programs for University of Rochester. Some details may be outdated until a director verifies them.

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