Student Programs and Resources from E&I

Oscar Brown standing and holding his finger to his head, sharing his idea to a classroom of seated alumni mentors.

Thought Into Action (TIA) Incubator

Develop your business, non-profit, or campus initiative while building professional skills along the way. The TIA Incubator offer mentorship from experienced alumni and up to $5,000 in seed grant funding. The program runs from September to April, culminating with a venture showcase and pitch competition.

Two students construct a gingerbread house

Idea Squad

No idea? No problem! Idea Squad is designed for anyone who wants to learn about entrepreneurship. Through hands-on group activities, you'll be introduced to entrepreneurial concepts and connect with like-minded students. From there, you can join an existing venture or develop your own idea to take into the TIA Incubator.

Students turned toward a speaker

E&I Pre-Orientation

Find your community and your next big idea: join a cohort of creators and explore the Colgate entrepreneurial ecosystem from day one. Through experiential exercises and field trips, you will explore entrepreneurial frameworks and learn how to turn a vision into reality.

EIR Reece Wilson animatedly talking with two students seated at their laptops

Workshops and Programs

Join us for an upcoming workshop series, lecture, or other program related to entrepreneurship and innovation. Our programs include co-sponsored lectures, hackathons, meetups, brown bags, course credits, and more. No previous engagement with E&I is required!

Upcoming Events

Three people stand together smiling as they present a large novelty check for $10,000 from Colgate University. The check is made payable to "PLNT" for taking first place in a pitch competition.
Apr 3 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase 1pm to 4pm
TIA summer accelerator capstone 2024

TIA Summer Accelerator

Looking to scale and grow your venture? The TIA Summer Accelerator is a selective summer program designed to support TIA Incubator ventures that are ready to move beyond early validation and into execution, traction, and scale. The program provides targeted funding, intensive mentorship, and structured accountability for a small cohort of high-performing student founders who have demonstrated commitment, progress, and readiness to advance their ventures.

Members of the Hami Down campus venture talking with each other.

On-Campus Venture Support

Interested in selling your products to the campus community? Apply to the Campus Venture Initiative, which provides certification to operate on campus and access to a wide range of resources.

TIA Design Thinking exercise

Design for America

Colgate’s Design for America Studio, led by the Innovation Fellows, is a group of students who work together to develop solutions to problems facing the campus and community. You’ll learn human-centered design and innovation skills that you can apply to tackle complex challenges in healthcare, the environment, education, and other fields.

Tuck Bridge Business Program

Colgate-Tuck January Business Bridge Program

Complement your liberal arts education with business skills through the Colgate-Tuck January Business Bridge. The program features a comprehensive curriculum taught by top-ranked MBA faculty from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business and includes a capstone team project and career exploration modules.

HBS logo

Entrepreneurship Summer Microcredentials

If you are interested in deepening your knowledge of entrepreneurship, consider applying for one of these four-week virtual programs: Entrepreneurship Essentials and Entrepreneurial Marketing. Students will earn a Harvard Business School Certificate.

This opportunity is provided free or at a discounted rate through the Colgate Career Services Microcredential Initiative with support from the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The Hub at 8 Lebanon Street

The Hub

With 24/7 coworking access and free small business advising, The Hub supports students and community members who are working on entrepreneurial ideas. The Hub is located at 8 Lebanon Street, next to the Colgate Bookstore and across from Flour & Salt Cafe.

13 Machine during Family Weekend

13 Machine

Reserve 13 Machine for your next campus event. Available for use by student-led ventures and student organizations, this uniquely Colgate pop-up vehicle brings excitement and novelty to any moment on campus.