Grant to Support Entrepreneurs in Upstate NY
Clarkson University’s Shipley Center for Innovation is now accepting applications for its Upstate Founders program launching in January 2023. This new program will create a massive support network for 400 entrepreneurs across Upstate New York. Participants will be connected to new educational resources, partner organizations, and other entrepreneurs.
A unique value of Upstate Founders is how it brings entrepreneurs together through participation in exclusive mastermind sessions. Masterminds are private behind-the-scenes groups in which participants are matched with other entrepreneurs to meet and support each other. These masterminds will give them access to groups of founders, like them, with whom they’ll work together on accountability, problem-solving, and growth.
Participants will also have access to the exciting new Clarkson Entrepreneurship Training (CET) program, offered by Clarkson’s Shipley Center. The program includes access to nine microcredential courses that are designed to be completed at-your-own-pace, with many short videos and exercises, and no exams to take. Topics include marketing, accounting, taxes, business planning and more! All who complete these courses will get a Professional Certificate of Completion at the end of the program.
Additionally, Upstate Founder’s has partnered with over 30 organizations from throughout New York State to give participants access to additional resources like funding, mentoring, and so much more. Entrepreneurs who are already working with other incubator, accelerator, or mentorship programs are encouraged to join Upstate Founders at the same time as it will offer complementary benefits.
The program kicks off in January and will take place virtually for nine months, at the end of which all participants and partners will be invited to meet in-person for a graduation and celebration event in the fall of 2023.
All entrepreneurs in business for up to 3 years, including those who are still working on their idea, are invited to apply. The program is open to all business types or industries (except cannabis), from local small businesses to high-growth tech startups. The goal of the program is to support and connect as many people as possible across Upstate NY who are interested in starting or growing their own business.
Upstate Founders and the Clarkson Entrepreneurship Training courses are fully funded through a grant from Empire State Development with no cost to participants (a value of $7,500). This is a one-time offer as a post-COVID effort to support our economy.
Participants can register and learn more at www.upstatefounders.com.
The Shipley Center for Innovation at Clarkson University helps entrepreneurs turn their inventions into businesses. As an important entrepreneurial support hub in the startup ecosystem across New York State’s North Country region, the Shipley Center helps founders commercialize new ideas and launch new ventures to address global challenges and opportunities.