TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

A celebration and recognition of entrepreneurship at Colgate, featuring innovative student ventures and accomplished entrepreneurs.

Held on Sat., April 11, the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase featured:

  • More than 30 student-led startups, with a total of $10,000 in grant funding awarded through the Iggy game.
  • Four exceptional teams competing on stage for a $10,000 first-place prize.
  • Audience choice awards, which awarded up to an additional $2,500 to each pitch competition venture.
  • Inspiring panel discussion among accomplished founders and funders.

This event is part of Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend.

Read about this year’s event:

Three people sit side-by-side on a panel, with the woman in the center speaking into a microphone while the men on either side of her listen and smile. She wears a cream-colored blouse and tan trousers, while the men are dressed casually in a brown quarter-zip sweater and a grey button-down shirt.
Highlights From the Showcase Panel Discussion
Student presentation during ACI Weekend 2026
Pitch Competition Ventures Tackle Global Challenges
A young woman smiles while engaging with a man at her promotional booth for "Edits by Ellrose," which features a large banner displaying her video and storytelling services. The booth is professional and detailed, showcasing cameras, photography equipment, and informational signage against a backdrop of black curtains at a crowded event.
Entrepreneurs Make Connections During Investment Game

The showcase felt like a celebration of all the work I’ve done, as well as the work of everyone in the Colgate community going out and making an impact on the world.

Andrew Sullivan ’26, founder, Oasis Running
Andrew Sullivan ’26, founder, Oasis Running
Porter Comstock ’26 receives first-place check
Hami-Down showcases their venture
Judges pose questions during pitch competition
DeBillboard team networks with attendees
Agnes Ndanu ’28 pitches MajiSafi Solutions

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors

This image features the logo for Chicory, consisting of a solid purple circular icon on the left and the word "chicory" in a bold, lowercase sans-serif font on the right. The icon contains a white stylized shape resembling a shuttered camera lens or a simplified eye with a central dot and a small diagonal gap.
The Chicory Innovation Award
The logo features the lowercase letters "nvp" in a thick, navy blue sans-serif font, with an orange circular dot positioned to the upper left of the letter "n." Directly beneath the main letters, the word "capital" is written in a smaller, matching navy blue typeface.
nvp capital Award
The logo features the letters "PAR" in a bold, dark navy blue block font where the letters are tightly spaced and interconnected. A small registered trademark symbol is located at the top right corner of the letter "R," all set against a clean white background.
PAR Technology Award
The logo consists of the word "Chobani" written in a thick, dark forest green serif typeface with soft, rounded edges. It is set against a plain white background, featuring a capitalized letter "C" followed by lowercase letters and a small registered trademark symbol to the bottom right.
In-Kind Sponsor

Featured Speakers

Pitch Competition Ventures

 
 

14 Years of the TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

13
Annual events since 2012
2,700+
Attendees
$227k+
Prize funding awarded

Highlights from Past Showcases

Three people sit side-by-side on a panel, with the woman in the center speaking into a microphone while the men on either side of her listen and smile. She wears a cream-colored blouse and tan trousers, while the men are dressed casually in a brown quarter-zip sweater and a grey button-down shirt.
A photo of venture founders Nathan Walsh and Christopher Madden with program mentor Paul Wigdor
Student entrepreneurs presented their ventures during the TIA Showcase.
Panelists during 2023 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase
2022 Entrepreneur Weekend Showcase Photo
Entrepreneur Weekend 2021
TIA 2020 venture showcase
People on stage
Student presenting to panel
Students presenting to panel
Students presenting to panel
Jessica Alba and MC Hammer on stage
Men on stage, one dressed like a cowboy
Cheryl Sandberg at podium in front of Colgate banner
Richard branson charging through crowd wearing Colgate hockey jersey