Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute
About the program · 1 linked sources
The Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute (REI) is the legacy entrepreneurship center at Sy Syms School of Business. Provides practical entrepreneurship experiences through seminars, workshops, coaching, mentoring, internships, and consulting engagements. Also manages the Dr. William Schwartz Student Business Plan Competition, YU Fast-Pitch Competition, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, and Kukin CEO Lecture Series. Reports a Start-Up and Business Incubation Program "in process."
REI is directed by Dean Michael Strauss, who also serves as Sy Syms Interim Dean and Entrepreneur-in-Residence. The institute offers 12 entrepreneurship courses and continuing education certificates.
Also known as: REI, Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-06-23); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
Not listed
Non Dilutive Grant
Equity
None
Application
Annual
School Specific
Last activity
2025
Medium confidence
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Reminders
Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute
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Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute
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Application and Timing
Dr. William Schwartz BPC: annual. YU Fast-Pitch: periodic. EIR program: ongoing. Incubation program: TBD ("in process").
Participants
Sy Syms School of Business students (undergraduate and graduate). YU Fast-Pitch Competition open more broadly.
Funding and Equity
Competition prize amounts not specified on public website. No equity taken. Incubation program — if realized — would provide additional structure.
Recent Activity
- "Start-Up and Incubation Program" listed as "in process" — status unclear as of 2025/2026.
- 12 entrepreneurship courses offered continuously.
- Past speakers include Michael Bloomberg, Ace Greenberg, Mickey Drexler.
Known Startups or Winners
Not documented publicly.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
- Prize amounts for Schwartz BPC and Fast-Pitch not specified.
- Historical winners not documented.
- Incubation program status uncertain ("in process").
- REI's current activity level and recent events not confirmed.
- Relationship between REI and Innovation Lab/Challenge unclear (coexisting but separate).
Program details
Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
- 2026-06-23-yeshiva-rennert-institute
- Yeshiva University Entrepreneurship Research Report
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute at Yeshiva University.
1 source
Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute Official Page
Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business
Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business
Rennert Entrepreneurial Institute Official Page
REI official page at Sy Syms. Documents the institute's programs: Dr. William Schwartz Business Plan Competition, YU Fast-Pitch Competition, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program, Kukin CEO Lecture Series, and a planned Start-Up and Business Incubation Program.
Read on Yeshiva University Sy Syms School of Business