If you are ready to take the next steps and explore the commercial feasibility of a technology or a process, there are many resources available at Cornell and elsewhere. Some basic needs at this point on the road from education to enterprise are funding and a prototype of your product. You could borrow your friend’s 3D printer and your parents’ credit card, but Cornell offers some better options.
An exciting way to gain access to some of these Cornell resources is to enter the Cornell Engineering Innovation Award Competition. Even if you don’t enter, explore some of your other possibilities below.
Prototyping Assistance and Funding, Cornell-Based
eLab
eLab is a highly competitive, year-long program for students to grow their business and earn course credit.
Blackstone LaunchPad
A multinational initiative to build entrepreneurship on college campuses through mentorship and access to a growing network of universities and resources. This free, confidential mentorship is available to all students, alumni, staff, and faculty at any stage of their projects.
Rev: Ithaca Startup Works
Rev: Ithaca Startup Works is a business incubator and workspace in Ithaca, New York.We offer business mentorship, workspace, and startup resources for any new or growing business that will create jobs in the community.
Our membership is open and our mentorship is agnostic; Rev has incubated successful app startups, as well as successful food startups. We believe that more innovative companies offering more jobs in more fields enriches our local economy and improves life for everyone.
eHub
An open, flexible and dynamic collaboration and coworking space fostering entrepreneurship for the entire Cornell community. There are more than 15,000 square feet of entrepreneurial space in two locations–Kennedy Hall and 409 College Ave.
Prototyping Assistance and Funding, Outside of Cornell
Rough Draft VC
Powered by General Catalyst, Rough Draft Ventures is a student team that helps university students in their journey from creating ‘rough drafts’ to startup companies by investing at the earliest stage. We support student-led teams with up to $25K in funding, and provide access to a community of peers, experienced mentors, alumni and investors to help take their startups to the next level. Decisions are led by a team of university students dedicated to encouraging tech entrepreneurship & forging a community of student founders.
Cleantech Navigate Northeast
Cleantech Navigate Northeast is an NECEC innovation initiative that was made possible by the generous support of our founding partners the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Commerce Rhode Island (Commerce RI), Wells Fargo and National Grid.
Our team works with a multitude of entrepreneurial innovation resources, universities, government agencies, experts, investors, corporates and first customers, and business associations. As a regional Connector organization, it is our business to know everyone in the room so that the partners and entrepreneurs we work with can benefit from that knowledge.