Startup programs in New York.

Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University is a private engineering/tech university in Potsdam, NY, with a comprehensive and deeply integrated entrepreneurship ecosystem — one of the strongest for its size in New York State. The infrastructure is anchored by three complementary units: Clarkson Ignite (student innovation hub), the Shipley Center for Innovation (regional entrepreneurial support hub, NYS Certified Business Incubator), and the Reh Center for Entrepreneurship (academic entrepreneurship center in the Reh School of Business). Clarkson hosts the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition (since 2013, 14th annual in 2026), operates the Cube student business incubator (since 2018), and awards over $50K annually through the Reh School first-year business program. The Shipley Center has consulted on 400+ projects and facilitated 160+ new startups across the North Country. Clarkson is also an NSF I-Corps site.

Hamilton, NY

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.

New York City, NY

Columbia University in New York City is a private Ivy League research university with one of the most extensive and well-funded entrepreneurship ecosystems in the world. The ecosystem is anchored by the William V. Campbell Center for Entrepreneurship at Columbia (university-wide umbrella), the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at Columbia Business School (CBS-focused programming, curriculum, and funding), and Columbia Technology Ventures (tech transfer and research commercialization). Over 3,000 Columbia startups have been created in the last decade, and Columbia founder companies raised $5.8B in the past 12 months (Crunchbase).

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University is a private Ivy League land-grant research university with a highly developed entrepreneurship ecosystem spanning its Ithaca campus, Cornell Tech in New York City, and Weill Cornell Medicine. The ecosystem is coordinated by Entrepreneurship at Cornell (EaC) as the university-wide umbrella, and anchored by multiple accelerators (eLab, Cornell Tech Studio), a deep-tech postdoc incubator (Runway), and a prolific technology transfer office (CTL). Cornell has launched thousands of student and faculty startups, with CTL alone reporting over 230 technology spinouts that have raised over $3.2 billion cumulatively.

New York, NY

Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university with campuses in New York City (Rose Hill in the Bronx, Lincoln Center in Manhattan) and Westchester. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is anchored by the Fordham Foundry, the university-wide hub for innovation and entrepreneurship serving students, alumni, faculty, and the Bronx community. The Foundry operates a flagship pitch competition ($200K awarded to 40 winners over a decade), a new endowed Early-Stage Venture Program ($1M from Mario Gabelli), a no-equity summer accelerator, and an angel investment fund. Fordham's entrepreneurship activity is primarily student- and alumni-centric with meaningful non-dilutive and equity-based funding options.

New York City, NY

New York University (NYU) is a private research university founded in 1831, with its main campus in Greenwich Village (Washington Square Park) and a satellite engineering campus in Downtown Brooklyn (Tandon). Total enrollment of ~57,000 (Fall 2024) across 14+ schools including Stern (Business), Tisch (Arts), Courant (Math/CS), Tandon (Engineering), Wagner (Public Service), Steinhardt, CAS (Arts & Science), Law, Medicine, and Dentistry.

Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is a private technological university in Troy, New York, founded in 1824 — the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem has undergone a major expansion in 2025-2026, anchored by the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship, the Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation (OSAT) with its RPI Ventures arm, and the newly announced The Bridge regional accelerator. RPI created the first university-run incubator in the United States in 1979 and has produced notable spinouts including MapInfo, Ecovative, Vicarious Visions, and GlobalSpec.

Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private technological university in Rochester, New York, founded in 1829. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is comprehensive and highly integrated, anchored by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (created November 2024), which consolidates the Simone Center, Venture Creations incubator, Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, and IPMO under a single coordinating structure. Venture Creations Incubator (founded 2003) is the flagship asset with 54 graduated companies, ~$500M raised, 85% regional retention, and an active RIT Venture Fund.

, NY

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive public university system in the United States, comprising 64 colleges and universities serving approximately 1.4 million students. The system includes four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, a maritime college, a college of optometry, and one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion (FY 2023). The SUNY Research Foundation (RF) is the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country and centrally operates SUNY's technology commercialization and venture infrastructure.

Syracuse, NY

SUNY Upstate Medical University is a public academic health sciences university in Syracuse, New York, and part of the State University of New York system. It comprises colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, and Graduate Studies, plus a dedicated research enterprise. Upstate has built a distinct biotech and life-sciences venture hub centered on the Central New York Biotech Accelerator and the $6 million Upstate Biotech Ventures seed fund.

Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is a private R1 research university in Syracuse, New York, founded in 1870. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is mature and multi-layered, anchored by the syracuse-blackstone-launchpad — a cross-campus hub at Bird Library operating for 10 years. The LaunchPad runs the syracuse-impact-prize ($15K annual), alongside 'Cuse Tank, Hult Prize qualifier, Afropreneurship Competition, and ACC InVenture Prize qualifier. The Martin J. Whitman School of Management contributes nationally ranked entrepreneurship education (EEE Dept, #2 globally in entrepreneurship research 2024), the Entrepreneurship Center, and the Experiential Center with semesterly capstone competitions (59 teams fall 2024). The syracuse-orange-innovation-fund provides proof-of-concept grants ($50K/yr, up to $5K). The syracuse-office-technology-transfer manages patents and spinout support with a 2023 law school partnership. The newly launched syracuse-center-creator-economy (Nov 2025) is the nation's first academic center for the creator economy, with a minor debuting fall 2026.

Rochester, NY

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).

Garden City, NY

Adelphi University is a private university in Garden City, New York, with approximately 7,000 students across eight schools and colleges. Its entrepreneurship infrastructure is anchored by the Innovation Center and a recurring Business Plan Competition, supported by broader entrepreneurship education and student club programming.

Albany, NY

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a specialized health-sciences institution in Albany, New York, with a focused commercialization infrastructure in biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, and life sciences. Its entrepreneurship assets are concentrated under the Stack Family Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) platform.

Albany, NY

Albany Medical College is a private medical school in Albany, New York, and the core academic component of the Albany Med Health System. Its startup infrastructure is concentrated in biomedical commercialization through the albany-med-otr (Office of Translational Research, Innovation, and Technology Transfer), which supports invention disclosure, patenting, licensing, startup collaboration, and SBIR/STTR grant assistance.

New York, NY

Barnard College is a private women's liberal arts college in New York City, affiliated with Columbia University. Its entrepreneurship infrastructure is led by the Athena Center for Leadership, which operates a cohort-based incubator and an annual startup summit with significant non-dilutive funding. Barnard students also access Columbia-affiliated resources including the Columbia Venture Competition and Columbia Technology Ventures.

Buffalo, NY

Canisius University is a private Jesuit university in Buffalo, NY, with a deep and long-established entrepreneurship program anchored in the Richard J. Wehle School of Business. The Entrepreneurship Center dates to 1990, the undergraduate entrepreneurship major to 1998, and the first MBA entrepreneurship course to 1982. Canisius has notable depth in entrepreneurship infrastructure: a dedicated investor/mentor network (Entrepreneurs on Campus), an award-winning student CEO chapter (multiple national Best Chapter awards), a nationally competitive Enactus social entrepreneurship program, an SBA-funded Women's Business Center, and a significant fellowship program (WNY Prosperity Fellowship) providing up to $25K/student.

Hempstead, NY

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.

New Rochelle, NY

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.

Old Westbury, NY

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT / New York Tech) is a private research university founded in 1955, with primary campuses in Old Westbury, NY (Long Island — 1,050 acres) and New York City (Manhattan, Upper West Side). Total enrollment of ~6,877 (Fall 2024). Known for engineering, computing sciences, architecture, and management programs.

New York City, NY

Pace University is a private university founded in 1906, with its main campus in Lower Manhattan (Financial District) and a second campus in Pleasantville, Westchester County. Total enrollment of ~13,000 across its schools: Lubin School of Business, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, College of Health Professions, School of Education, and Haub School of Law.

Queens, NY

St. John's University is a private Catholic Vincentian institution in Queens, New York City, founded in 1870. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on the Venture & Innovation Center (VIC), established in 2024, which houses a structured Startup Incubator Program and manages the university's IP disclosure process. The ecosystem connects three sequential programs (Johnny's Innovation Challenge → James & Eileen Christmas Business Plan Competition → VIC Startup BootCamp), supported by student clubs, academic minors, global programs, and multiple external competition pathways.

New York City, NY

The New School is a private university founded in 1919, located in Greenwich Village, New York City. Total enrollment of ~9,000-10,000 (degree-seeking). Comprises Parsons School of Design (#1 US art/design school, QS 2025), Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, The New School for Social Research, and Schools of Public Engagement. Known for design, social sciences, and progressive education.

New York, NY

Yeshiva University is a private Jewish research university with multiple campuses in New York City, founded in 1886. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is centered on two coexisting entities: the newer YU Innovation Lab (campus-wide innovation hub and Israeli startup incubator) and the Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute (REI) at Sy Syms School of Business (legacy entrepreneurship center with competitions and courses). The flagship student program is the annual YU Innovation Challenge, which saw record participation in 2025.

Albany, NY

Albany Law School is a private, independent law school in Albany, New York, serving as the Capital Region's only law school. Its startup infrastructure is specialized — centered on legal and commercialization support for ventures rather than direct incubation or funding. The core assets are albany-law-innovation-intensive (an experiential tech-commercialization apprenticeship with RF SUNY) and albany-law-community-economic-development-clinic (a legal clinic serving startups and small businesses).

Alfred, NY

Alfred University is a private university in Alfred, New York, with a specialized entrepreneurship profile anchored by regional pitch competition participation and advanced-materials commercialization infrastructure, rather than a broad campus-wide startup ecosystem.

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY

Bard College is a private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Its entrepreneurship infrastructure is niche and graduate-level — concentrated in the MBA in Sustainability program rather than campus-wide. The core asset is bard-disrupt-to-sustain-pitch-competition, a recurring internal pitch competition for sustainability-focused MBA ventures.

Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn College is a public senior college of the City University of New York in Brooklyn, New York. Its entrepreneurship ecosystem is built around the Innovation + Entrepreneurship Lab (funded by Blackstone LaunchPad), the Murray Koppelman School of Business, and DEI-focused programming. The I+E Lab functions as the central node, with Pitch NExT ($1,000 first prize) and TEEP experiential program providing competition and curricular depth. Students also have access to system-wide CUNY Startups. No on-campus incubator, venture fund, or tech transfer office was identified at the Brooklyn College level.

Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College is a private college in Ithaca, NY, with approximately 4,700 students (4,200 undergraduate, 500 graduate) across five schools: Business, Communications, Health Sciences and Human Performance, Humanities and Sciences, and Music, Theatre, and Dance. Founded in 1892 as a music conservatory, IC is located on South Hill overlooking downtown Ithaca and Cayuga Lake. The School of Business (AACSB accredited) houses most entrepreneurship-related programming. The college shares the Ithaca ecosystem with Cornell University and Tompkins Cortland Community College, including the tri-institutional startup incubator Rev: Ithaca Startup Works.

Brookville, NY

Long Island University (LIU) is a private university founded in 1926, serving approximately 16,000 students across multiple campuses: LIU Brooklyn, LIU Post (Brookville), LIU Pharmacy, LIU Hudson, and LIU Riverhead. The university is ranked in the top 7% of national research universities and has a network of 200,000+ alumni. LIU's entrepreneurship infrastructure is multi-campus and fragmented, with distinct centers at the Brooklyn and Post campuses and a recent university-wide AI/innovation initiative.