The Blackstone LaunchPad cut the ribbon in Bird Library two years ago this month, and has enjoyed wide participation across campus. In fact, it is growing so fast, it is already bursting at the seams. This summer, the glass cube in Bird Library will double in size to provide even more co-working flex space, and to host technical workshops and networking events. We’re excited to be expanding this summer, thanks to a commitment by SU Libraries to the program.
Highlights of the first two years include:
- 2,531 LaunchPad program participants are working on 422 venture ideas, 52 of which have incorporated
- LaunchPad ventures have raised $3.5 million in outside investment
- Ventures have won $485,000 in business plan competitions since the program inception
- More than 4,000 faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members attended Blackstone sponsored or co-sponsored entrepreneurship events in 2017
Who are our innovators?
- 50% male and 50% female – a very high percentage of #FemaleFounders
- Culturally and geographically diverse, with members from 47 countries
- Highly inclusive, with a vast array of racial and ethnic groups, gender identity, sexuality, and abilities in our collaborative community
- Represent all academic areas – both cross disciplinary and cross cultural teams
What academic programs do they represent?
LaunchPad participants come from across many academic program areas, and we welcome more from each discipline.
| College of Arts and Sciences | 17% |
| Martin Whitman School of Management | 14% |
| College of Visual and Performing Arts | 13% |
| College of Engineering and Computer Science | 12% |
| School of Information Studies | 12% |
| S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications | 10% |
| Other (not captured) | 9% |
| Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs | 3% |
| David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics | 2% |
| School of Architecture | 2% |
| Syracuse University Libraries | 2% |
| College of Law | 1% |
| School of Education | 1% |
| SUNY ESF | 1% |
| University College | 1% |
SU student ventures have won:
- ACC InVenture Prize Competition – 40 teams competed on campus over two years, and one placed in top five nationally
- Blackstone – Techstars Demo Day – one team won global competition, won $15,000; two teams have been accepted into Techstars accelerators ( highly competitive — 1,000 apply to each accelerator program, and only ten are selected)
- Compete CNY / iPrize – 59 teams competed in 2016 and 2017 regionals; 56 teams applied for the 2018 competition and 40 competed; in 2016 and 2017; $120,00 in RvD prizes awarded over three years; additional $10,000 in Hunter Brook Watson Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards made this year
- FuzeHub – one team competed, one team won $50,000 grand prize
- Global Student Entrepreneurship Award – one team competed and won upstate NYS award in both 2017 and 2018, advanced to nationals both years, and won $10,000 in prizes
- Grants for Growth – one team competed and won $25,000 award
- Hult Prize – 40 teams competed over two years, four advanced to global regionals
- Impact Prize – 36 teams competed, 13 finalists, $5,000 awarded in prizes to student teams in 2017
- NYS Business Plan Competition – 11 teams competed in 2017 finals, four first place winners, one grand prize winner, with $140,000 awarded in prizes to SU student teams in 2017; 10 teams going to the 2018 New York State Business Plan Competition, April 27, 2018
- Panasci Business Plan Competition – 32 teams competed, $90,000 awarded in prizes in 2017 and 2018
- Student Startup Madness at SXSW – one team national finalist, top eight, advancing to Austin event in March 2018