Entrepreneurship & Innovation News and Updates

The TIA Incubator will host an inspiring lineup of founders, executives, and industry disrupters during its keynote sessions this fall. Designed to expose student entrepreneurs to diverse perspectives across a range of industries, from deep-tech to consumer packaged goods to creative media and food and beverage, these interactive sessions offer real-world insights into building and scaling transformative businesses and brands.

These interdisciplinary programs will put entrepreneurs and innovators in conversation with students in the classroom and engage students in hands-on, experiential learning.

With TIA funding, Ruhan Yi ’29 advanced Glorlink from concept to prototype. The platform connects Christian students with career mentors, utilizing digital tools and authentic interviews to build community engagement.

A TIA seed grant enabled Graham Stearns ’26 to upgrade equipment for his startup, Up Island Photo, elevating his professional client work and inspiring him to pursue the venture full-time.

Through the 2026 TIA Summer Accelerator, three student-led ventures spent the summer scaling their businesses. Backed by grant funding and alumni mentorship, these young founders turned ambition into real-world momentum.

Nine incoming first-year students got a head start on their Colgate journey through five action-packed days of entrepreneurship, community building, and regional site visits.

The new Colgate Arts Launchpad provides students, faculty, and staff with $10,000 in milestone funding, dedicated mentorship, and TIA Incubator resources to help transform creative concepts into high-impact, sustainable enterprises.

Discover how Colgate’s student innovators spent their summer taking ownership of real-world projects, building tools, and navigating early-stage ventures to drive lasting organizational impact and power their own future entrepreneurial ambitions.

Game designers Xalavier Nelson Jr. and Ashlyn Sparrow visited Colgate’s Vault to share how they forged their own paths in the video game industry. Drawing on very different backgrounds, both spoke about overcoming industry barriers and creating opportunities that gave them greater creative freedom. Their careers highlight the role of innovation and persistence in building spaces where games can have both artistic and social impact.

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.