The Rochester Institute of Technology is partnering with the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub: Inland Northeast Region in a move to further strengthen an already strong innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Over the next five years, RIT will invest in NSF to implement and run a cohesive innovation ecosystem that provides a comprehensive model of education and workforce training designed for and by innovators in rural areas. Join a consortium of 10 prestigious regional colleges with $15 million in funding. and small cities. According to the NSF, the interior northeast is largely rural, economically underserved, and represents a part of the United States that is working to restore economic vitality.

Joining RIT in this effort are Dartmouth College, SUNY Binghamton, SUNY Buffalo, Syracuse University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Rochester, University of Vermont, University of West Virginia, and Cornell University, a hub institution. Each college and university hosts a regional I-Corps course and contributes to programming and curriculum strategies.

“RIT is pleased to partner with the new regional I-Corps hub,” said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT’s vice president of research and vice president. “We are proud to continue our collaboration in promoting technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and the development of a local entrepreneurial ecosystem, all of which play an integral part in the University’s mission.” We look forward to working with NSF and our partners to positively impact the local economy in this unique way.”

A mission-critical component of the Hub’s approach to entrepreneurship is the creation and management of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives. The Hub’s leadership and partners are committed to supporting the development of her STEM research talent, who are women, veterans, people of color, and individuals with disabilities. These initiatives include working with organizations such as the National GEM Consortium’s Inclusion in Innovation Initiative (i4) and RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

RIT has a mission to create and encourage an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship on campus through majors, programs, courses, corporate partnerships, student development, and signature events such as the Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival. has a history of The Simone Center for University Innovation and Entrepreneurship provides early-stage commercialization to students and faculty with innovative concepts and technologies through programs such as IdeaLab, Tiger Tank, Studio 930 Design Consultancy and Student Accelerator Program. We provide support and training. Venture Creations, RIT’s technology business incubator, supports the founding and growth of technology-focused companies in partnership with universities. RIT’s Saunders College of Business also offers coursework uniquely designed to create a foundation for entrepreneurial development, including a master’s degree in innovation management and entrepreneurship. Additionally, RIT’s MAGIC Center is a university-wide research center with an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial approach to digital media research and production.

“Our partnership with NSF through the I-Corps program is further proof of our efforts and commitment to training the next generation of inventors and innovators,” said RIT’s Chief Executive for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Richard DeMartino, Professor and President of the Albert J. Simone Foundation, said: “Our students are not only creative, they are enthusiastic about classroom instruction and willing to learn from students who have been in the position. This additional funding and resource sharing from NSF will It will enhance the important work we do to support critical thinking, out-of-the-box creativity, and the natural drive inherent in every entrepreneur.”

Established by NSF in 2011, the national I-Corps programming enables researchers to combine technical and scientific knowledge with entrepreneurial spirit to develop new technologies and start-ups that benefit society. to RIT, through the Simone Center, has been an NSF I-Corps site since 2012 and is part of the Upstate New York I-Corps node, along with Cornell University and the University of Rochester.

The Inland Northeast Regional Hub launched on January 1, 2023.