Students
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP
At Koffman we empower students to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. As a university-supported incubator, we offer everything you need to launch and grow your startup or delve into entrepreneurship. From our three floors of free co-working spaces and meeting rooms to a vast network of mentors, resources and internship opportunities, we’re committed to supporting every step of your journey. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your venture, Koffman is here to help you succeed.
Courses at Binghamton University
Explore entrepreneurship through a variety of courses designed to inspire innovation, whether you’re aiming to start your own business or make an impact in a traditional work environment.
UNIV 280F: Introduction to Entrepreneurship:
The focus of this class is identifying problems that need solving, developing a solution that is unique, sustainable, potentially high-growth and profitable. This course will require you to understand and apply “customer discovery” techniques using tools called “Business Model Canvas” and “Lean Startup” to develop a business model. The class requires a significant amount of work for you individually and in groups. It also requires you to be prepared, step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and make decisions with imperfect, incomplete, and often ambiguous information. This course has an interdisciplinary approach and is open to students from across the university. To learn more, contact instructor Eric Krohn at: ekrohn@binghamton.edu
UNIV 280D: Global Entrepreneurship:
This course examines how economic, political, physical, trade and other factors and formal and informal institutions affect entrepreneurship and how entrepreneurs create and manage business ventures that have international dimensions. The course will help students acquire a multidisciplinary perspective on entrepreneurial businesses with cross-border activities, and develop practical skills in applying the tools of global entrepreneurship analysis in concrete situations. To learn more, contact instructor Atanas Tzenev at: atzenev@binghamton.edu
UNIV 280G: Social Entrepreneurship:
This course examines the practice of identifying, starting and growing successful mission-driven organizations that strive to advance social change through innovative solutions. The course will help students understand some of the strategies that social entrepreneurs employ to create high-impact ventures that address complex societal issues such as poverty, disease, environmental degradation, illiteracy, as well as a lack of clean water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare, and access to credit. Through highly experiential, interactive, and collaborative workshops, students will acquire systemic thinking skills, entrepreneurial mindset and other skills and tools to start up their own social venture or work in a social-impact organization. To learn more, contact instructor Atanas Tzenev at: atzenev@binghamton.edu
Student Group
Entrepreneur Connect:
Join Entrepreneur Connect, a vibrant student community at Binghamton University dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth. Network with peers, participate in workshops and pitch events, and gain access to resources that can help turn your ideas into successful ventures. The group’s partnership with the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator provides access to hands-on experience with local startups. Connect with EC on social to learn more.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Immerse yourself in real-world learning with opportunities to work alongside innovative startups and research teams. Gain valuable experience, contribute to the clean energy ecosystem, support diversity in STEM, or earn academic credits through local internships.
NENY Student Startup Experience:
Stipend-based experiential learning with startup companies in the clean energy ecosystem with New Energy New York and Koffman Southern Tier Incubator. Students can commit between 5-20 hours per week during Fall and Spring Semesters. Summer opportunities are also available.
Diversity in Cleantech Startup Experience:
Under the same umbrella as the NENY Student Startup Experience, the Diversity in Cleantech Startup Experience prioritizes students who are historically underrepresented in STEM in the application process!
EXCEED Internship Program:
Credit-bearing internships with local startup companies in the Southern Tier. Through the CDCI department (Fleishman Career Development Center), these internships are semester long, and the time commitment depends upon the amount of credits you have available.
Inclusive Innovation Internship (I3):
Paid R&D internships with faculty labs across campus developing innovative technologies, focused on increasing underrepresented students in STEM. These internships are semester-long and require a 10 hours per week commitment. You will gain exposure to technology transfer, academic innovation, and entrepreneurship as well. Email kcherney@binghamton.edu for more information.
STUDENT VENTURES
Koffman Student Membership:
Binghamton University and SUNY Broome students registered for credit get access to a free membership to Koffman Southern Tier Incubator which includes mentorship and access to training geared towards growing your ideas and startup companies. Connect with us to learn more.
SUNY Broome Entrepreneurship Assistance Center:
SUNY Broome’s EAC, located within the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, provides tailored support for entrepreneurs and small businesses. As one of 24 Entrepreneurship Assistance Centers in New York State, they offer workshops, one-on-one counseling, and a 60-hour Entrepreneurial Success Certificate Program. Their services focus on essential business management skills, networking, community connections, and professional development. With personalized mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and expert consultants, the EAC equips you with the tools to start and sustain a thriving business.
New York Business Plan Competition:
The New York Business Plan Competition (NYBPC) is an intercollegiate entrepreneurship competition powered by Upstate Capital. Students have the opportunity to receive feedback from experts in their field and the potential to win investment funds for their startup. The Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, Binghamton University’s Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships and Cornell University are proud to support the NYBPC and host the Southern Tier Regional Competition.
Regional NSF I-Corps Courses:
I-Corps Courses are for academic researchers and early-stage startup founders exploring market potential and gaining entrepreneurial skills. Teams of 1-3 members (faculty, staff, students, postdocs) with a tech innovation beyond the ideation stage can participate. Courses are offered online or in hybrid format, including travel-funded attendance at ARPA-E and The Battery Show, with up to $5,000 available and a chance to qualify for national competition.
SUNY Startup Summer School (S4):
SUNY Startup Summer School (S4) offers a virtual, accelerated program to help entrepreneurs secure funding and bring their technology to market. Participants gain access to instructional webinars, expert guidance in grant proposal development, and customized I-Corps training, mentoring, and networking, all tailored to their experience and progress.
