Entrepreneurship & Innovation News and Updates

Colgate's "Ideation to Implementation" workshop helps students turn their ideas into real startups through hands-on lessons in business modeling and customer discovery. The six-week program serves as a bridge to the Thought Into Action (TIA) incubator, offering mentorship and practical tools for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The October session of the TIA Incubator brought a burst of entrepreneurial energy, featuring keynote speaker Mike Ellenbogen ’86, P’26, and two exciting pitches by alumni-led Rendezvu and student-led The Sunrise Classic.

Richard Maxwell’s work expands the boundaries of what theater can be. An evening chat with the acclaimed playwright and director centered on the concept of: What happens to empathy when the performer isn’t human?

The TIA Incubator is composed of ambitious student entrepreneurs, often ready to dive into the business world headfirst. However, the program also fosters a space for the underdogs of E&I: the Idea Squad.

During Shawn Chiki’s artist talk at Colgate, the multimedia artist emphasized the importance of preserving both creativity and technicality. “If you’re not dreaming of new worlds, then where is the science going?”

This summer, Thomas Rivier ’28 and Ryan Wilson ’28 continued to grow their vision of creating more track race opportunities for runners of all ages and abilities in Concord, Mass.

Last Saturday, the TIA Incubator held its kickoff session, with a large assemblage of entrepreneurs and mentors ready to begin the program’s 16th year. Mentors echoed two thoughts after the weekend: well engaged teams and palpable excitement.

For the predecessors and successors of Cha’Gate—the only bubble tea option at Colgate—the onboarding process during the transition has required patience, passion, and extended communication.

What began as a typical student journey in TIA quickly evolved into a multi-year talent pipeline to Ozeki Technologies. “For the students, Ozeki [provides] … exposure they would not get in a larger company,” said Ozeki CEO Ken Carter ’92.

From virtual reality art to a deep dive into social entrepreneurship, the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is kicking off the fall 2025 semester with a dynamic and diverse lineup of events.