Thought Into Action

Thought Into Action (TIA) programs 
are hands-on experiences where students create businesses, nonprofits, social enterprises, and campus initiatives while developing entrepreneurial skills, guided by alumni mentors and Colgate’s entrepreneur in residence.

TIA programs include:

  • TIA Incubator: Build your business, nonprofit, or campus initiative
  • Idea Squad: Join a team or come up with your own idea
  • Workshops and PE courses: Learn entrepreneurial concepts and build skills
  • TIA Summer Accelerator: Grow and scale your venture during the summer
  • TIA Internship Program: Complement your entrepreneurial experience

 

Students turned toward a speaker

Pre-Orientation Program

Calling all incoming first-year students!

Find your community and your next big idea: join a cohort of creators and explore the Colgate entrepreneurial ecosystem from day one.

Learn more and sign up

TIA success stories

The word chicory in purple lettering
Chicory

Co-Founded by Yuni Baker-Saito ’13, Joey Petracca ’13

The words Fair Harbor with two wavy lines underneath to symbolize water
Fair Harbor

Co-Founded by Jake Danehy ’16, Caroline Danehy ’19
 

Two shafts of wheat surrounding the words Flour and Salt Bakery and Cafe with a rolling pin in the middle
Flour & Salt Bakery & Café

Founded by Britty O’Connor ’12, MA’13

The words Heart of Tabitha Foundation with two interlocking hearts underneath
Heart of Tabitha Foundation

Founded by Jazmyn McKoy ’17

The words Imaginaire Media
Imaginaire Media LLC

Founded by Chase Hirt ’22

The word shot in black lettering, the word quality in orange lettering, and an artistic letter s in orange color
ShotQuality

Founded by Simon Gerszberg ’22

700+
Entrepreneurs over the past 15 years
250+
Mentors and advisors
40,000+
Mentoring hours donated by alumni, family, and friends

TIA has been such an amazing resource these past few years, and Hami-Down would not be the incredible business it is today without the continued support of everyone in E&I. I have gained so many skills about being a leader and running a business that I know will undoubtably serve me well in the future.

Ella Conover ’26
Ella Conover ’26

Take Action on Your Business, Nonprofit, or Campus Idea

No matter what you’re interested in creating, TIA programs can help you launch your idea and move it forward. Students in TIA are creating apps, sustainable clothing brands, mission-focused nonprofits, on-campus businesses,  food ventures, and more.

Featured Ventures

An illustrated backpack with the words Backpacks for Kids written underneath
Backpacks for Kids

Led by Kelly Cruz Ribeiro ’27

Working to provide educational and healthcare materials to children in need to promote human rights and spread awareness of challenges that are faced by refugees and immigrants.

A yellow background with the word Braqish in a white font, and above it a blue wave of water crashing on itself.
Braqish

Founded by Jack Suter ’27

Eco-minded community built through t-shirt brand.

The words Hami Down with the recycling symbol consisting of three arrows
Hami Down

Led by Ella Conover ’26, Perin Romano ’26, and Valeria Reyes ’26

Online platform for the Colgate community to efficiently buy and sell goods in a sustainable manner that reduces costs, increases convenience, and minimizes carbon impact.

The word plant with two overlapping green leaves replacing the letter A.
PLNT

Founded by Porter Comstock ’26

PLNT makes procurement from the nursery industry efficient, so landscapers can focus on delivering a quality design and installation for their client. 
 

The words Shneer Agritech superimposed over a handful of faded vanilla beans
Shneer Agritech

Founded by Diya Badola ’25

Transforming traditional farming by harnessing automation, hydroponics, and data-driven innovation to cultivate the world’s most valuable spices.

The words Wags and Wings with an illustration of a dog riding on top of an airplane
Wags and Wings Dog Rescue

Founded by Alana Conolly ’27

Rescuing homeless dogs from Mexico to give them a second chance with loving adopters in the U.S.

Receive Mentorship from Experienced Entrepreneurs

Ventures in TIA programs are supported by volunteer mentors who have deep domain expertise. Our mentors are Colgate alumni, parents, and friends who have successfully built and grown early-stage ventures across a wide range of industries. These seasoned entrepreneurs donate their time, knowledge, resources, and connections to support our teams, sharing their wisdom, expertise, and lessons learned. Our mentors create an environment of encouragement for entrepreneurs who are creating novel solutions in unchartered territory, while holding teams to real-world standards.

Meet some of our mentors

Headshot of alum Madeline Bayliss
Madeline Bayliss ’76

Advocate and Adviser for Tech for Good, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and LGBTQ+

Headshot of alum Brian Horey
Brian Horey ’82

President, Aurelian Management, LLC

Headshot of alum Kimberley Schafer
Kimberley Schafer ’92

Former Owner and Principal, Right at Home

Headshot of alum Alex More
Alex More ’99

Fractional CMO, Brand & Marketing Strategist, Culture-Driven Growth Leader

Headshot of alum Marvin Vilma
Marvin Vilma ’14

Teacher, Entrepreneur, Social Impact Strategist

Headshot of Paul Wigdor, parent of an alum
Paul Wigdor P’23

Financial Services Executive, Entrepreneur, Start-Up Adviser

Meet all our mentors Become a mentor

Access Grant Funding and Co-working Space

Students in the TIA Incubator are eligible for up to $5,000 in seed grant funding as their venture develops: from ideation and validation, to building and launching, to growing and scaling. Teams in the TIA Summer Accelerator receive a $7,500 grant to support their progress. In addition, all entrepreneurs have 24/7 access to The Hub for working, holding team meetings, attending conference calls, and hosting events.

Develop Into an Entrepreneurial Leader

Participation in TIA programs builds entrepreneurial skills: adaptability, resiliency, resourcefulness, strong communication, teamwork, and much more. As an entrepreneur, you'll think about your personal brand, your passions and values, and how you work with teammates and manage others. Join us to see who you become in the process of creating something amazing.

Meet some of our current entrepreneurs

Headshot of student Talia Broder
Talia Broder ’28

Founder, Vitalize

Headshot of student Nathan Walsh
Nathan Walsh ’28

Co-founder, Students Helping Students

A photo of Oscar Brown holding a finger in the air like a eureka moment and speaking into a microphone.
Oscar Brown ’26

Founder, Colgate LGBTQ+ Digital Collective Archive

Our Programs and Resources

Two student leaders of Hami Down are seated at a table, smiling, looking over a document.
TIA Incubator

Build your business, nonprofit, or campus initiative with alumni mentorship and resources

Participant in Ideation to Implementation
Ideation to Implementation

Learn entrepreneurship basics (with PE credit!)

TIA Incubator session
Social Entrepreneurship

Learn about social impact innovation (with PE credit!)

Creative Endeavors spring 2025
Creative Endeavors

Turn your passion into a side hustle or more (with PE credit!)

A student stands in front of a table, showing alumni bags of compost that her venture has created.
TIA Summer Accelerator

Take your venture to the next level in this full-time program

Seated judges during the Entrepreneur Showcase clap at the conclusion of a venture's pitch.
TIA Entrepreneur Showcase

Annual venture showcase and pitch competition

CVI Certification Medallion
Campus Venture Initiative

Support for your on-campus business or nonprofit

Hub business incubator
The Hub

Free business advising and coworking downtown

13 Machine during Family Weekend
13 Machine

Pop-up food truck available for rent

Learn More about TIA

jjmartin
Jennifer (Jen) Martin
Weiner Family Entrepreneur in Residence
317 Bernstein Hall