Programs and Trainings To Move Your Business Forward
The Koffman and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at Binghamton University offer a diverse catalog of entrepreneurial based trainings and accelerator programs. Courses are held virtually and/or in person (depending on the course) and are offered free of charge to participants. Trainings and accelerator programs are offered in cohorts multiple times throughout the year and, depending on the course, participants do not need to be members of the Koffman Incubator to apply.
National Science Foundation I-Corps
Are you conducting new research that could become a real-world product? Do you have an exciting invention or innovation? Do you want to learn more about entrepreneurship and bringing technologies to the market? If so, an NSF I-Corps course is for you! I-Corps helps researchers and innovators understand how to bring their technical inventions and business ideas to market. Through this short experiential course, participants get out of their comfort zone and speak directly with customers to identify the best product-market fit.
Courses are offered multiple times throughout the year and consist of three weeks of virtual information sessions led by experienced instructors. Assigned coursework reinforces the learned concepts and ideas, and participants conduct critical customer discovery throughout the time. Upon successful completion of the course, participants qualify for a $3,000 micro-grant and are then qualified for nomination to the national-level NSF I-Corps Teams Program.
Binghamton University’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships and the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator are proud members of the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub, a regional network of research universities providing I-Corps courses and education to rural regions and small cities in the Northeast of the United States.
I-Corps Support Team
Olga Patrova
Program Director, Instructor
Epiphany Munoz
Program Coordinator
Per Stromhaug
Instructor
Matthew Quimby
Michael Coyle
Instructor
Hadassah Mativetsky
Entrepreneur in Residence
Equity In Innovation Training Series
Equity in Innovation is a three-phase entrepreneurial training series offered by the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator and the Binghamton University led New Energy New York initiative. Started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a collaboration initiative between the Koffman and the Support Black Business 607 (SBB607) Facebook community, the training series supports and encourages entrepreneurs from every background and identity from Binghamton to Corning, NY. The series aims to increase equity and representation throughout the battery supply chain and encourage diverse entrepreneurs to launch and accelerate new or existing businesses. All classes are held in person at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator.
Phase 1: Customer Discovery Crash Course
The Customer Discovery Crash Course consists of three in-person learning sessions, as well as assigned objectives where participants learn basic business plan concepts and skills such as the Business Model Canvas, organizing finances, branding, marketing, and building a network. Participants will conduct real world customer discovery and conclude if their business or idea is truly viable with their desired customer base. The class concludes with a project presentation where participants reveal the scientific findings of their customer discovery process. Upon completion, a small selection of participants are invited to move on to the next phase of the series.
Fall 2023 Cohort in session now.
Phase 2: Minority Business Accelerator
Participants selected to move on to the Minority Business Accelerator gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in industry today. Using the Business Model Canvas to lay out a solid business foundation, participants move on to learning how to organize finances, develop branding and marketing strategies, and build a useful business network. Upon completion of the accelerator phase, select participants will be invited to move on to the final phase of the series.
Phase 3: MWBE Certification Readiness Course
The Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Certification Readiness Course will prepare participants for New York State’s MWBE Certification process. This final phase of the series consists of understanding procurement and supplier diversity strategies. Participants will gain knowledge on becoming a supplier for local and state governments and what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced and lucrative set-aside program. The course will walk participants through initial application requirements, and discuss the steps and documents needed to become a fully recognized MWBE-certified business. A mix of Koffman staff and local presenters will provide education and guidance to obtain certification upon course completion.
Fall 2023 Cohort in session now
Equity in Innovation Support
Ebony Hattoh
Program Director, Instructor
App & Website Accelerator
The Koffman’s App and Website Accelerator is aimed at entrepreneurs looking to utilize modern business practices to evolve their exsisting app or website into one that truly fits their customer’s needs. This course teaches participants how to design with the customer as the main influence and what elements to incorporate to set their platform apart from the competition. Participants learn what functions their app or website needs for their desired MVP (minimal viable product) and learn design and aesthetic trends.
Through the program, participants can expect to receive:
- Expert business guidance
- Feedback from motivated peers
- Connections to mentors and partners
- Structured mentorship using the Business Model Canvas
The App & Website Accelerator course is FREE with no cost associated to participate. Cohorts of the course are currently taught virtually and entrepreneurs everywhere are invited to apply. Upon the completion of the course, participants will receive $5,000 in AWS credits and will be eligible to apply for up to $2,000 in development costs.
App & Website Accelerator Support
Eric Krohn
Program Director, Instructor
Opportunity Grows Cannabis Accelerator
The Opportunity Grows (OG) Cannabis Accelerator offers free educational learning opportunities and master classes that provide entrepreneurs with specialized training on business issues and topics within New York’s adult-use cannabis market.
Programming ranges from educational webinars to hands-on in-person events where participants learn from key leaders in the industry. Complimenting the business education component of the program, participants hear from leading industry experts to learn about their entrepreneurial journeys and gain valuable insights into the particular challenges and opportunities that come with operating a licensed cannabis business in New York.
Through the program, participants gain exclusive access to resources, networking and entrepreneurial focused events. OG Accelerator courses and events are held multiple times throughout the year, and are open to New Yorkers of all backgrounds. Individuals from communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition or who qualify as minority or women-owned businesses, distressed farmers, and service-disabled veterans are encouraged to participate.
OG Accelerator Webinar Recordings
OG Accelerator Support
