Two student entrepreneurs are presenting their business idea in a classroom.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Academy

Coming Fall 2025

At New York Tech, bold ideas don’t just take shape—they take off. Fueling our mission to lead in entrepreneurship education, we’re proud to launch the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy, alongside a $5 million venture fund to ignite the next wave of groundbreaking startups.

This academy is more than a launchpad—it’s a powerhouse of innovation designed to inspire and equip the next generation of changemakers across our New York City and Long Island campuses. With immersive, hands-on experiences, expert mentorship, and state-of-the-art resources, entrepreneurs will have everything they need to turn big ideas into real-world impact, developing revolutionary technologies, launching high-potential ventures, and reshaping industries.

And with the support of our venture fund, we’re investing in the future, backing startups from students, faculty, alumni, and visionary entrepreneurs ready to take the leap.

$5M

Investment in startups through New York Tech’s Venture Fund.

30

Student-led tech startups have launched in the past six months as part of our NESTS program.

$31M

Recent investment in a state-of-the-art biomedical research center.

Innovation Starts Here

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide the perfect environment for students, faculty, alumni, and partner companies to collaborate, make, learn, brainstorm, and incubate new ideas. A key feature of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy is Startup Tech Central, a new center on the Long Island campus complete with maker spaces, mentorship programs, and startup training. This facility will be complemented by existing student resources and labs from across the university.

A group of students are in a meeting in a conference room.

Student Resources and Labs

Two students and one faculty member discuss a project in the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center at New York Tech. There are robots in the background.

Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC)

New York Tech’s business accelerator has 8,000 sq. ft. of labs and facilities, focusing on IT and cybersecurity, bioengineering and medical devices, and energy and green technologies.

A group of student entrepreneurs receive a trophy for their work.

Technology Incubator

This business incubator, opened in partnership with Long Island Software and Technology Network (LISTnet) at their Digital Ballpark accelerator space in Plainview, Long Island, promotes industry-academic collaborations.

Two students create 3-D printed projects in New York Tech's Fab Lab.

Fabrication Labs

Using advanced digital fabrication technology, including computer-controlled laser cutters, 3-D printers, CNC routers, and traditional wood shop machines, the Fab Labs facilitate the production of highly accurate physical models and mock-ups.

Two students use virtual reality goggles in New York Tech's Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration.

The HIVE

The Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration is a collaborative, hands-on lab supporting creative problem-solving and skill development in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), game design, and human-computer interaction (HCI).

Programs & Courses

Programming offered through the academy will include hackathons, boot camps, pitch competitions, startup weekends, and more, expanding New York Tech’s legacy of experiential learning and innovation. Additionally, new academic programs and courses are being developed across New York Tech’s schools and colleges, alongside existing programs and courses.

Technology Entrepreneurship Minor

This integrated program, jointly created by the College of Engineering & Computing Sciences, the School of Management, and Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center, teaches students from across the university how to launch their own technology-based enterprises. Opportunities for applied research, technology implementation, and product development, as well as exposure to enterprise building, venture capital, and corporate partners are also available.

A student works on his laptop at the New York City campus.

NESTS

Necessary Eleven Steps to Tech Startup (NESTS) is an experiential learning course designed to empower students from different programs to launch startups and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The program, the first of its kind in the region, brings CEOs and leaders in the field to the classroom for hands-on work to help our students bring their ideas to fruition with product, legal and business arrangements, and sales channels all in place to launch their startups.

Two students work on an engineering project at the New York City campus.

Advising & Mentorship

To guide the academy’s growth, a new advisory board featuring leaders from top tech firms and regional businesses and organizations will provide input on strategic direction, mentorship, and insights on industry trends and workforce needs.

The venture fund will also have an investment advisory committee, including entrepreneurial experts from tech firms and regional businesses, to review and make recommendations on startup investment pitches.

Four students convene at a wooden table at the New York City campus.

Student Voices

New York Tech student Ryan Ahmed poses in front of an office door for his startup company.

New York Tech was huge for us in connecting us to the right people in manufacturing, intellectual property, and so much more.

Ryan Ahmed
Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.
Founder of technology startup company, Niura

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Engineering Student-Entrepreneurs Pitch Startups

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Portrait of Todd Cohen

Pioneering NYITCOM Cardiologist Recognized by the National Academy of Inventors

Todd J. Cohen, M.D., is one of 170 exceptional innovators elected to the organization’s 2024 Class of Fellows. The fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.