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Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries
Also known as: Blackstone LaunchPad, LaunchPad
Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY
Cross-campus entrepreneurship hub located in Bird Library, operating for 10 years (anniversary October 2025). Provides coaching, ideation, venture creation support, events, and competitions for students, alumni, faculty, and staff across all disciplines. Administered by Syracuse University Libraries under Dean David Seaman.
Houses multiple competitions: Impact Prize (annual, $15K), 'Cuse Tank (fall shark-tank style), Hult Prize campus qualifier, Afropreneurship Competition, and ACC InVenture Prize campus qualifier. Connected to the broader SU entrepreneurship ecosystem including Whitman School (EEE Dept, Entrepreneurship Center, Experiential Center, Couri Hatchery), Newhouse, and the Orange Innovation Fund.
Quick fit check
- Indirect support only
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
$0 – $0
In Kind, Cash Prize
Equity
None
Application
Rolling
Campus Wide
Last activity
2026-06-23
High confidence
Application and Timing
Rolling venture coaching. Individual competitions have their own application cycles.
Participants
SU and SUNY-ESF undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff. Open to all schools/colleges.
Funding and Equity
Indirect — LaunchPad coordinates access to competition prizes and coaching. Competitions award non-dilutive cash prizes. No equity taken.
Recent Activity
- October 2025: 10-year anniversary celebration at Bird Library.
- November 2025: Impact Prize with 7 winners, $15K total.
- 2025-2026: 'Cuse Tank, Hult Prize qualifier, Afropreneurship Competition, ACC InVenture Prize all active.
- 2026: LaunchPad startups win NY BPC regional competition.
- 2026: SipSafe+ wins SU ACC InVenture Prize qualifier.
Known Startups or Winners
See syracuse-impact-prize for Impact Prize winners. Notable Orange Innovation Fund recipients include Phloat, PapeX, WingStat, Miirror, MacroFlow, The OtherGlasses.
Verification Gaps
- LaunchPad operating budget and full-time staff.
- Complete list of alumni-founded startups supported by LaunchPad.
- 'Cuse Tank specific prize amounts by year.
- Afropreneurship Competition details.
Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries
Additional research notesShow
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries at Syracuse University.
1 source
Blackstone LaunchPad Official Pages
Syracuse University Libraries
Syracuse University Libraries
Blackstone LaunchPad Official Pages
Three captures: LaunchPad overview page (competitions, coaching, 10-year milestone), Impact Prize 2025 winners announcement ($15K, 7 ventures), and Whitman capstone competition coverage (59 teams, LaceMate winner).
Read on Syracuse University Libraries