Entrepreneurship & Innovation News and Updates

Thomas Sfikas ’28 and Anthony Bolivar ’28 joined the TIA Incubator to develop Raider Market, an AI-moderated marketplace app for Colgate students. Backed by mentorship and support from TIA, the platform aims to empower student entrepreneurs and streamline campus commerce.

Following a productive three-day intensive workshop, the TIA Summer Accelerator kicked off with three ventures: PLNT, Oasis Running, and SoundSync.

Despite studying abroad in Copenhagen, Sophie Martin ’27 maintained progress on her venture SoundSync by focusing on technical development and testing her concept with locals. This international perspective sparked a crucial pivot toward organic, human-driven music discovery.

13th Hour Espresso provides a convenient, new on-campus option for Colgate students lacking quality coffee. The student-run venture uses locally-sourced espresso beans from FoJo Beans and homemade syrups to deliver a premium experience.

Oasis Running is disrupting an industry dominated by corporate giants by manufacturing affordable, accessible, and highly customizable running kits. Defying generic uniform trends, it empowers teams to race in gear that reflects their unique identity.

The TIA Internship Program helps students gain valuable career skills, hands-on business experience, and expanded professional networks. Working directly with experts shapes their job interests and fundamentally changes how they solve problems.

During “A conversation with Ben Cohen,” the co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream emphasized that authenticity builds natural brand trust and that corporations must use their political influence for social good to create a meaningful, lasting impact on society.

At Colgate’s 2026 Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend, actress Tracee Ellis Ross shared her entrepreneurial journey and life lessons with students. Ross discussed creating Pattern Beauty to celebrate Black beauty, the necessity of rigorous rehearsal, and the importance of prioritizing well-being through authenticity and perseverance.

At the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase, successful innovators shared diverse journeys to remind students that entrepreneurship requires significant pivots. While AI and data are useful tools, the panel emphasized that long-term achievement relies on personal passion, the humility to adapt, and the grit to constantly refine one's vision.

The final TIA Incubator session of the 2025–26 academic year highlighted a year of venture progress and growth. Seniors Ellrose Hanlon ’26 and Fletcher Goodell ’26 pitched their ventures, while Soapply founder Mera McGrew shared how her company grew from a single “lightbulb moment” into a mission-centered business with global impact. The session reflected the TIA program’s focus on helping students turn bold ideas into meaningful work.