January 30, 2024
Entrepreneurship at Cornell
Inspire, connect, educate, support, and engage with an entrepreneurial mindset
??Upcoming Events
Clinton Global Initiative Entrepreneurship Jan 30
Workshop: Is Your Startup Technology-Driven or Enabled? Jan 30
Info Session: NY State Business Plan Competition Jan 30
Startup Hours Feb 1
Cornell Engineering Luncheon: Entrepreneurship Networking Feb 2
Animal Health Hackathon Feb 2-4
Info Session: Impact Investing Pitch Competition Feb 5
Asset Allocation in Venture Capital Feb 8
Climate Tech Translation w/Madison Savilow Feb 9
General Catalyst Fellow Founder Dinner Feb 10
AV Startup School: Health & Bio Feb 13
Networking@REV: Hardware Innovations Feb 15
Digital Ag Hackathon Feb 16-18
Health Hackathon March 8-10
??Upcoming Deadlines
NSF I-Corp Course Jan 31
VentureWell Grants: E-Team Program Jan 31
Career Development KL2 Scholar Award Jan 31
Laidlaw Leadership & Research Scholars Program Jan 31
EnergyUp University Prize Feb 1
USINDO Summer Studies Feb 1
Values & Ventures Competition Feb 1
Sloan Health Case Competition Feb 2
Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award?? Feb 15
Maribel Garcia Community Spirit Award Feb 15
Runway Postdoc Startup Program Feb 15
Summer 2024 Prototyping Hardware Accelerator Feb 16
Pre & Early Post-Doctoral TL11 Training Award March 6
launchU Competition March 8
Student Business of the Year March 11
Green Technology Innovation Fellows March 27
Life Sciences Technology Innovation Fellows Program March 27
Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator March 31
??Employment & Opportunities
Blackstone LaunchPad Internships
Entrepreneurship at Cornell Internships
??Meet With A Mentor
Blackstone Launchpad Mentors
PIHE Entrepreneurs in Residence Office Hours
Cornell Family Business Mentorscape
Engineering: Entrepreneurs in Residence
??Upcoming Events
??Clinton Global Initiative Entrepreneurship
Info Session: Today: January 30th 1pm
Looking for students committed to social impact! Founded by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, the yearlong program gives students access to a social impact curriculum, topic mentors, funding streams, engagement events, and a global community of young leaders who are turning ideas into action.
Register to learn further and more in-depth information on both programs (Clinton Global Initiative and CGI Fellowship) available for 2024!
Sessions are available until applications close: Feb 8th 10am, Feb 14th 9am, Feb 20th 1pm, Feb 28th 8pm, March 6th 10am, March 12th 9am
??Innovation & Entrepreneurship Workshop Series
Upcoming workshops include:
??Info Session: NY State Business Plan Competition
TODAY January 30th 6pm Virtual RSVP Here
Help turn your innovative ideas into competition-ready ventures as part of New York's annual intercollegiate business plan competition. Register now and make your mark in New York's intercollegiate entrepreneurship competition! Hosted and led by the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center and the NYBPC.
??Startup Hours
Thursday Feb 1st 7:30-9pm eHub Collegetown RSVP
Zak Slayback is the guest at this week's Startup Hours. Zac is a Partner at 1517 Fund, where he focuses on working directly with founders who are taking on established players and institutions, biotech founders, deep tech founders, and those with deep understanding of consumers' needs in SaaS and CPG/D2C. 1517's investments include Loom, Luminar, Lambda, and more. This will be a great opportunity to hear and learn from a well-connected speaker whose fund places a large focus on student founders, so you don't want to miss this.
Friday?February 2nd 12pm, Upson Lounge 116
PhDs and postdocs in the College of Engineering: You’re invited to?learn about?the?entrepreneurship?resources?available to you?at this?exclusive?lunchtime event!?Whether you’re just starting to explore commercialization?of your technology?or have already founded a company, join us?to network with likeminded engineers over a complimentary lunch.
You’ll?also have the chance to?connect with?Cornell Engineering Entrepreneurs in Residence and discover?opportunities for mentorship, legal guidance, funding,?and?entrepreneurship?programs at Cornell and beyond.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 2, 3, 4 in Schurman Hall Ithaca NY
This one only happens once a year. Don't miss your chance! Any Cornell student, any degree program, any field of study is invited to join vet students in the animal health focused hackathon. Over a dozen sponsors onsite, tons of mentors for lots of networking. An IBM led Design Workshop, good food, merch, 50 mentors and a beautiful light filled space to work in. And $9,000 in cash prizes
??Info Session: Impact Investing Pitch Competition
Monday February 5th at 5pm EST (virtual) RSVP Here
Cornell Impact Investing Competition is a pitch competition that allows undergraduate students—in?teams of 2 to 4 people—to identify, research, and recommend an existing early-stage company that addresses a social or environmental problem for a hypothetical investment of up to one million dollars.?No prior business experience is necessary, and participants are free to pick their own teams. For anyone who's interested in competing but doesn't have a team in mind,?IIC can pair you with a group.
??Asset Allocation to Venture Capital
Thursday February 8th 6pm PST (virtual) RSVP Here
Join Vector Capital Managing Partner, Jane Ge MS '15 as she walks through how Venture Capital works and how it can be a part of your investment strategy.
Are you curious about?how venture capital makes decisions?? What is the outlook for the?U.S.?economy? Wonder?where you can allocate your assets?besides the traditional public market or real estate?? Do you know?venture capital?is an asset class?that you could potentially invest in?? Do you know what?the requirements?and expectations are?to?invest in venture capital?? Do you know you can?SAVE on TAXES?when investing in VC? Do you know you can?invest while saving the plant??
Friday?February 9th?3:30–5PM | Stocking Hall Conference Center?| RSVP!
Looking to make a real-world impact with your innovative climate tech research??Explore?the potential of entrepreneurship to?advance?climate solutions, creating jobs and stimulating the economy in the process, at this free event co-hosted by W.E. Cornell and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.
In a fireside chat with Andrea Ippolito ’06, M.Eng. ’07, Director of W.E. Cornell and founder of?SimpliFed, climate entrepreneur Madison?Savilow will share her insights on the climate tech industry, her journey in this field, and her advice for those interested in pursuing a similar path.
??General Catalyst Fellow Founder Dinner
Saturday February 10th RSVP Here
General Catalyst?Fellows are hosting a dinner for builders and startup founders in Ithaca, alongside a general information session for those interested?in the startup resources, grants, and the firm itself.? We have a limited number of seats and will prioritize tech founders (email me if this is the case), although anyone is allowed to apply.? We have no restrictions on school level or college.
Starts Tuesday February 13
This 6-week program/6 session program is?led by Dr. Enke Bashllari, Founder and Managing Director of Arkitekt Ventures. This program is designed for founders who want to improve and advance human health.?You should apply if: You are considering starting a company in Health or Bio and are a PhD, MD, MBA, engineer, product manager or a technical graduate or if you have recently started a company in Health or Bio but have raised less than 500K. They?are not taking any equity and the program is 100% free of charge! Apply ASAP!
?? Networking@Rev: Hardware Innovations
Thursday February 15th 6-8:30pm 314 E. State St, Ithaca RSVP Here
Launching a physical product business is not for the faint of heart. Innovating, perfecting your prototyping, speaking with customers, developing your business plan, and scaling are all massive challenges. Rev’s hardware programs provide resources and support for hardware entrepreneurs at every stage of the journey.
Join Rev on February 15 to learn about hardware offerings, including the newest prototyping and manufacturing track – MedTech. The event will feature pitches from successful physical product entrepreneurs and a keynote on the increased need for hardware innovation.
An open bar and locally sourced appetizers will be provided. All are welcome; admission is free.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 16, 17, 18 in Schurman Hall Ithaca NY
Over the next few decades, a rising global population, increasing wealth, changing consumer demand and climate variation will put growing pressure on food systems. While global demand might be met through current agricultural practices in the short term, these strategies are unsustainable for the long term. Globally, agriculture demands a radical transformation. Open to ALL STUDENTS at Cornell!
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, March 8, 9, 10 in New York City
Since 2014, this once a year hackathon is open to any college student - any degree program, any field of study. Join doctors, developers, scientists, designers and more for this human health centric hackathon. With a focus on patient safety- you pick your area of interest and rapidly prototype a solution. In partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine's Clinical Translational Science Center, and a pop-up Maker Space with Cornell Tech. This event draws the largest and widest array of students from colleges and universities on the east coast.
Upcoming Deadlines
Application Deadline Tomorrow: January 31st
Led by the NSF I-Corps Hub: Interior Northeast?(IN I-Corps), this free, month-long?(Feb 26-March 27) course is designed?for?university-based STEM researchers and early-stage founders interested in evaluating the market potential of their technology and learning valuable entrepreneurial skills:
I-Corps Regional Course hosted by Dartmouth College, March 4-April 3, for researchers working on a deep tech innovation “get out of your comfort zone” and talk with customers (virtually) to identify the best product-market fit. application deadline February 7
Questions? Contact [email protected] or visit www.in-icorps.org/regional-courses.
??VentureWell Grants: E-Team Program
Application Deadline Tomorrow: January 31st Learn More
The E-Team Program, part of the VentureWell Accelerator, supports student ventures as you embark down the path you’re likely to take as an innovator and entrepreneur through two programs: Pioneer and Propel. We help you advance your invention through a powerful mix of grant funding, entrepreneurship training, mentorship by dedicated staff, national recognition, and networking with peers and industry experts.
The first stage of the E-Team Program is Pioneer, with $5,000 in non-dilutive funding and an entrepreneurship training workshop designed to help you discover the best market for your invention, we kickstart your potential and outline the possible pathways for your invention
Second stage is Propel which offers an additional $20,000 in non-dilutive funding and three months of training focused on supporting you as you build your business model canvas and make plans for testing your business hypotheses.
??Career Development KL2 Scholar Award
Application Deadline Tomorrow: January 31st Learn More
Up to $105,000 per yr. includes salary support and up to $25,000 per year for research (post-doctoral, junior faculty). ?KL2 Scholars pursue research training at 75% time and effort (50% for surgeons). Up to 3-year appointment. Provided by Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical & Translational Science Center
Application Deadline Tomorrow: January 31st
This promotes ethical leadership and international research around the world. Spend six weeks researching a topic of your choice, six weeks engaged with communities, and contribute to solving the world’s intractable problems. All fully funded. Includes a first-year local summer internship, and a second-year global opportunity. Open to first- and second-year students
Application Deadline: Thursday February 1st
Up to $450,000 in cash prizes to student teams to present ideas for integrating emerging energy technologies into innovative business concepts. (by the National Renewable Energy Lab in behalf of the Dept. of Energy DOE)
Winners are chosen based on the quality of the plan, not resumes, IP ownership, or prior funding and teams can present plans for technology developed and available for license from national labs or tech developed by their institution. The barrier to entry is low: teams must submit just a 200-word summary of the technology to be leveraged and the business opportunity by February 1, 2024.
Teams will be assigned to a regional Explore event to help them refine their ideas and prepare for a full pitch on February 27, 28, or 29.
Application Deadline: Thursday February 1st Here
Learn more about the 10-week language and cultural fellowships in Yogyakarta and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Application Deadline: Thursday February 1st
TCU Values and Ventures invites undergraduate student entrepreneurs from all around the world to compete for over $100,000 in prizes. In Fort Worth, Texas at TCU’s Neeley School of Business from March 22-24th, top selected teams will connect with likeminded values-focused undergrads from across the globe; network with judges, mentors, faculty, and potential investors; and compete for the $40,000 Grand Prize. Questions? Email [email protected]
Application Deadline: Friday February 2nd
Typically, a case is held at a university. Instead, Cornell Sloan brings the case competition to the sponsoring client’s corporate headquarters: Gilead Sciences
1st Place: $10,000. Team Size 3. Finals are March 22 in San Francisco.
Participation is limited to 40 teams, sign up ASAP if interested.
Application Deadline: February 15th
$2,500 awards that celebrate and support undergrad projects addressing community interests, problems or needs. Presented by the Einhorn Center for Community Engagement.
Application Deadline: February 15th
$250 awards given each year to Cornell students who make a remarkable, creative, specific contribution to the spirit of humanity.
Application Deadline: February 15th
Recently completed your PhD and want to harness your deep tech expertise to start a company? Want to do it in New York City and get funding from day one? Want to build a startup while keeping your academic track record? The Runway Startup Postdoc Program is part business school, part research institution, and part startup incubator. Startup Postdocs are interested in the application of digital technologies in a broad sense. Faculty at Jacobs-Technion Cornell Institute and Cornell Tech include experts in connective media, health technology, security and privacy, computer vision and a number of other fields.
Early decision deadline: February 16th | Applications close: March 25
Over 10 weeks, Rev’s Prototyping Hardware Accelerator offers four tracks – Classic,?AgTech,?ClimateTech, and MedTech -? to guide product teams to determine if their ideas are commercially desirable, technologically feasible, and economically viable. Upon completion of the program, participants are positioned to recruit team members, bring on partners, initiate work with contract manufacturers, and pitch to investors. Teams will receive a stipend of up to $2,000 to advance their prototype. Attend an upcoming information session to learn more.
??Pre & Early Post-Doctoral TL11 Training Award
Application Deadline: March 6th Learn More
$34,752 for one year (pre-docs)
$73,802 for one year, depending on level of experience (early post-doc)
TL1 Trainees pursue research training on a full-time basis?(100% time and effort)
2-year appointment?. Provided by Weill Cornell Medicine Clinical & Translational Science Center
??launchU Competition
Application Deadline: March 8th
Open to all college undergrads, students are given the opportunity to flesh out an idea with the help of faculty and mentors without any costs while learning the basics of innovation and entrepreneurship. Top 7 applicants will be chosen to participate in the launchU competition (virutally) on May 17. $5K in prize money awarded to the best 3 pitches. Brought to you by Hershey and Harrisburg University
??Student Business of the Year
Application Deadline: March 11th Learn More
Entrepreneurship at Cornell will honor one Cornell student business as the Student Business of the Year (SBOY) during the annual Entrepreneurship at Cornell Celebration on Friday, April 12, 2024, on campus.? Student founders may be undergrad or graduate students.
Emphasis is on the business and the team behind it, not just on the entrepreneur.? The award will recognize commitment to developing and operating a successful business while pursuing an education. The cash prize is $5,000. Note that this is not a business idea award – it is for an actual operating business.
??Green Technology Innovation?Fellows
Application Deadline: March 27th Apply Here
This program pairs doctoral researchers with MBA students to collaborate on practical technology-based startup creation. Through an exclusive six-credit workshop course, NBA 5185, cross-disciplinary teams will test their hypotheses and thereby de-risk their potential business models. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll have the entrepreneurial judgment you need to either launch a startup based on your research or lead in the global transition to clean energy and climate technology.?The program begins in August 2024 with monthly workshops throughout the academic year. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Application Deadline: March 27 Apply Now
Formerly known as the BioEntrepreneurship Initiative, this program pairs PhD and postdocs with business students to collaborate on practical technology-based startup creation. Through an exclusive six-credit workshop course, NBA 5175: Life Science Entrepreneurship in Practice, cross-disciplinary teams will test their hypotheses and thereby de-risk their potential business models. Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll have the entrepreneurial training, mindset, and?judgment you need to launch a startup based on your research or become a leader in the growing life science technology economy.
The program begins in August 2024 with monthly workshops?throughout the academic year. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Application Deadline: March 31 Apply Here
Spend Summer 2024 Working on?Your Startup!
Open to graduate student-led teams from the SC Johnson College of Business, the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator is a 10-week summer intensive featuring hands-on entrepreneurship training, networking opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship from Entrepreneurs in Residence.
The program will begin in May and conclude with a Demo Day pitch event in August. Outside of required virtual programming on Tuesdays, a kickoff weekend in Ithaca and networking trek to New York City, participants can work on their startups and meet with mentors on their own schedule.
The Professor?Vrinda?Kadiyali?Student Entrepreneur Fund provides?$10K?stipends to MBA students so they can focus on their startups full time while?participating?in the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator. First-year MBA students who are enrolled in the two-year residential program and have applied to JSSA are eligible for this opportunity, and they will be evaluated for the award by a committee under the administration of the Dean.
Curious if the program is for you? Attend a virtual information session on February 5 to learn more about the program. Register for the info session.
??Employment & Opportunities
??Blackstone LaunchPad internship program offers over 250 paid internships at exciting startups, with all types of roles from sales & marketing to finance & technology.?
The best way to access these opportunities is to participate in Discovery and join at least one virtual workshop with their expert career coaches. There is limited space available and those who apply after February 2nd may not secure a spot. Apply today - it only takes 5 minutes!
??Entrepreneurship at Cornell: Summer Internship Program
Students & Business Owners!!! Start thinking about your summer plans!
Entrepreneurship at Cornell provides entrepreneurial students with opportunities to gain essential experience in small to mid-sized businesses throughout the US & abroad. Students from any of Cornell’s schools and colleges are eligible to apply for these paid opportunities.
Businesses – to help offset the cost of an intern potential funding may be available to you:
??Meet with a Mentor
??Blackstone LaunchPad?at Cornell
BLP provides mentorship and venture creation support to Cornell student, alumni, faculty, or staff at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.?Whether you are interested in learning more about the entrepreneurship community at Cornell, have an idea, or need help with later-stage startup challenges, BLP mentors are there to guide you. Visit the BLP site so you see the areas of expertise for the 32 BLP mentors and view their schedule to make an appointment with them here.
??Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurs in Residence Office Hours. Entrepreneurs in Residence meet one-on-one with students to talk about business ideas and plans, career experience and guidance, and more. The program enables students to learn through ongoing personal interaction with successful entrepreneurs. You can schedule one-on-one meetings using your StartupTree account. Don’t have an account? It only takes a minute to create one!
View upcoming EIRs and their key areas of expertise by visiting our website.
??Cornell Family Business Mentorscape
The Cornell Family Business Mentorscape is a vast network that connects current Cornell students and recent alumni with scholars, advisors, and family business leaders for one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions. Students have the exceptional opportunity to select their own agendas and interest areas for exploration during the time spent with their mentors.?Cornell Family Business mentors are carefully selected to provide for a diversity of experience and expertise.?Learn more here
??Engineering Entrepreneurs in Residence
This program partners experienced entrepreneurs with engineering faculty, postdocs, and students who are interested in learning more about commercialization and entrepreneurship. Set up a meeting to explore the entrepreneurship landscape, introduce you to like-minded alumni, and connect you to programs to get started. EiRs offer guidance and support to: