The Bridge Accelerator Announcement

RPI News press release (February 19, 2025) announcing The Bridge, a tough-tech business accelerator in downtown Troy, developed in partnership with Rensselaer County. RPI President Schmidt's priority project modeled on MIT's The Engine.

• The Bridge is a tough-tech accelerator at Quackenbush Building, 333 Broadway, Troy.
• Rensselaer County allocated $8M for infrastructure and 5-year operations.
• 10,000 sq. ft. of shared experimental space.
• Startups not required to have RPI affiliation.
• RPI created first US university-run incubator in 1979 (MapInfo, Ecovative, Vicarious Visions, GlobalSpec).
• Programs include networking, pitch competitions, workshops, business development, legal/IP advice.

The Bridge is in planning/construction phase as of this announcement. No confirmed opening date. Operational details (staffing, cohort structure, application process) not yet defined.

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