Starting a Student-Run Business at Colgate

What You Can Do

You may start and operate a student-run goods or services business on campus — or take over ownership to continue an existing business — with approval from the Campus Venture Initiative (CVI). 

This CVI application and approval process — overseen by the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation — guides students through required steps so ventures can operate responsibly and in accordance with University policy, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Student-run businesses approved by CVI may operate on campus, contract with campus offices and departments, reserve rooms, and access additional support and resources.

What You Cannot Do

Under Colgate’s Policy on Campus Solicitation and Concessions, students may not:

• Sell goods or services on University property without written permission of the Office of Student Involvement or Campus Venture Initiative.
• Conduct demonstrations or direct sales in residence halls or other campus facilities
• Market, advertise, or sell credit cards to students

How to Get Started

If you want to operate a business offering goods or services on campus:

1. Meet with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I).
   It will help you understand requirements, available programs and resources, and next steps.
2. Optional: Work with the Hub.
   E&I staff can connect you with The Hub, which provides free business advising. It can provide guidance and connections for:
   • Registering your business (DBA or LLC)
   • Insurance and liability needs
   • Bookkeeping and taxes
   • Connections to local resources for incorporation and compliance
3. Optional: Attend or plan a workshop
   Workshops are open to all students interested in starting or growing a business at Colgate.
   • E&I may offer workshops for student entrepreneurs covering:
     • Business entity types and registration
     • Insurance and financial basics
     • Campus approval process
4. Get certified through the Campus Venture Initiative.
   Certification typically involves showing that you have:
   • A registered business name (DBA/LLC)
   • Basic insurance, if required
   • Proper financial and tax practices
5. Obtain written approval.
   Upon approval, you will receive a formal notice to acknowledge, sign, and return. Your business is then officially approved to operate on campus. The business will be added to the public list of approved ventures and shared with relevant campus offices.
6. Renew certification annually or whenever business information changes.
   Submit the certification renewal form at the beginning of each academic year, whenever the main contact person for the business changes, and whenever insurance certification or other paperwork changes.
   
   Please note: A CVI-certified business is an independently-operated business. Colgate does not share in any derived profit or loss resulting from any CVI-certified business independently operating on the University’s campus. CVI Certification does not exclude the University from allowing or actively seeking competition from other sources. Further, Colgate is in no way endorsing nor promoting these CVI-certified businesses over any other approved vendor. The University reserves the right to terminate CVI recognition at any time upon written notice without necessity of demonstrating cause.

Contact

Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Email: eandi@colgate.edu
Location: Bernstein Hall 326
Website: www.colgate.edu/entrepreneurship