Coursework
Students of all disciplines who are interested in entrepreneurship can select from a wide range of courses related to entrepreneurship from the RPI curriculum. From design to finance, there are courses to educate and inspire!
For students who think outside the box and want to spark change through innovation, the Entrepreneurship Minor is an option for all students. This program, consisting of four courses, is designed for Rensselaer students majoring in any field.
For students looking for courses that can prepare them for the startup world, there are many opportunities. Current courses related to entrepreneurship and venture formation include:
ARCH 4590 - Entrepreneurship and Architecture Credit Hours: 2
ARCH 5330 - Entrepreneurship and Architecture Credit Hours: 2
BMED 696x/MGMT 696x - Commercialization of Biomedical Innovation
BMED 696x/MGMT 696x - Protecting & Commercializing Your Innovation
BUSN 6107 - Changing and Innovating Credit Hours: 3
BUSN 6325 - Leaders Charting the Course Credit Hours: 6
ECON 4110 - Economics of Innovation and New Technologies Credit Hours: 4
ECON 4140 - Structure of Industry: Competition, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Policy Credit Hours: 4
ECON 4290 - Economics of Biotech and Medical Innovations Credit Hours: 4
ECON 4430 - Economics of Growth & Innovation Credit Hours: 4
ECON 6110 - Economics of Innovation and New Technologies Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6130 - Economics of Growth and Innovation Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6290 - Economics of Biotech and Medical Innovations Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6770 - Economics of Innovation I Credit Hours: 3
ECON 6780 - Economics of Innovation II Credit Hours: 3
ENGR 2020 - Design and Innovation Studio III Credit Hours: 4
ENGR 4610 - Design and Innovation Studio C Credit Hours: 4
INQR 1610 - Design and Innovation Studio I Credit Hours: 4
MANE 2220 - Inventor’s Studio 1 Credit Hours: 4
MANE 4220 - Inventors Studio 2 Credit Hours: 4
MANE 4330 - Inventor’s Studio 3 Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 4080 - Networks and Value Creation Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 4510 - Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 4520 - Introduction to Technological Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 4530 - Starting Up a New Venture Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 4540 - Entrepreneurial Finance Credit Hours: 4
MGMT 6060 - Business Implications of Emerging Technologies Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 6260 - Entrepreneurial Finance Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 6511 - Practicum for Life Science Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 6620 - Principles of Technological Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 6630 - Starting Up A New Venture Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 6640 - Invention, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Credit Hours: 3
MGMT 7030 - Strategy, Technology, and Competition Credit Hours: 3
STSO 2020 - Design and Innovation Studio III Credit Hours: 4
STSO 2610 - Design and Innovation Studio II Credit Hours: 4
STSO 4600 - Design and Innovation Studio A Credit Hours: 4
STSO 4605 - Design and Innovation Studio B Credit Hours: 4
STSO 4610 - Design and Innovation Studio C Credit Hours: 4
STSO 4970 - Design and Innovation Senior Project Credit Hours: 4
Check the most current catalog for updates.
Seminars & Speaker Series
Want to get engaged? Want to learn from other innovators? Want to build your network? Want to hang out with like-minded people? RPI is part of a vital startup community with many opportunities for engagement, education, networking, and idea exchange. Come to an event and see what it’s all about. Everyone is welcome!
Wanna see pigs fly? Be inspired! Learn new skills! Meet other curious innovators. Learn the secret handshake.
Open to all students, faculty, and professionals. No membership required, no fee to attend. Come to a Pig Tale as successful innovators share their unexpected journeys. Come to a workshop to hear insights and learn skills for supporting startups. See the upcoming event schedule and learn more.
Grow your network. Hear others pitch. Pitch your own idea. Startup Tech Valley is a regional meetup for first-time entrepreneurs, experienced entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, employees of startups, service providers to startups, and anyone else who is curious. See the upcoming event schedule and learn more.
In this biannual event, hear expert entrepreneurs, venture investors, and other experienced professionals discuss entrepreneurship and the building of robust high-tech companies. Join the conversation and grow your network! Check back soon for details on our next event.
Want to talk with industry executives? This is your chance! Key opinion leaders from various industries come to campus to share insights and meet with students and faculty. Find out the latest trends in industry and how academic innovators and industry can work together. Check back soon for details on our next event.
Programs, Workshops, Bootcamps
Startups are most fragile at the very earliest stage. Access to the right resources – people, facilities, and especially capital – is critical to building value and evolving a nascent company to maturity. Likewise, navigating through the “valley of death” – the transition from proof-of-concept through scale up to commercialization – is where many startups fail. Mentorship, professional services, and capital are key to navigating through this time of high risk. RPI has created the Catalyst Incubator and Bridge Accelerator programs focused on helping early-stage ventures grow and succeed.
Already have a technology? The NSF I-Corp Program guides inventors through the transition from lab to marketplace.
To commence in Spring 2025! The Catalyst Incubator is an on-campus launch program designed to be a springboard for early-stage startups. The Catalyst Incubator program provides two key resources for select innovators: coaching and funding.
Want to know the winning recipe for transforming an idea to successful venture? Want to develop the skills to start your own company or work with a startup?
Submit an application for the Catalyst Incubator. The 10 week boot camp guides innovators through the three “I’s” of innovation: Identification, invention, and implementation. The program covers concept to launch.
No product? No team? No problem! The Catalyst Incubator can help you learn how to identify needs and define problems worth solving.
Already have a technology-based solution to a problem? Submit an application to join the Catalyst Incubator to take that idea and put it in action.
- For the elite individuals and teams selected, the 10 week program covers:
- Design Thinking
- Needs Identification / Market Research / Customer Discovery
- Brainstorming / Concept Generation
- Vetting Ideas / Risk Analysis
- Due Diligence / Benchmarking
- Intellectual Property
- Business Models
- Communications & Pitching
- MVP & Prototyping / Proof-of-Concept
- Financial Models for Startups
- Incorporation
- Fundraising Strategies
Upon completion of the program, the most promising startups will be eligible to compete for seed funding, grants, and prize money. Learn more at I Need Funding.
Not ready for the bootcamp? Have questions about developing an idea or starting a company? Drop in to the Severino Center for ala carte coaching or for discussion on any topic related to new ventures
The National Science Foundation Innovation Corps program is designed to aid academic research and STEM-based innovations in the transition from lab to practical application in society. In partnership with MIT and the Northeast Regional I-Corps Node, Rensselaer offers a 5 week program to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff from Capital Region colleges and universities.
[Update from Jason K.:
Oct 15 - Nov 19 (Hybrid - RPI - Open)
NSF I-Corp @Rensselaer Interest Form (coming January 2025)
Teams with technology concepts receive $3,000 to develop a business model canvas and interview potential customers to help guide the launching of a startup. The program provides infrastructure, guidance, resources, networking opportunities, training, and funding to give groups the ability to explore the marketplace beyond the campus borders.
Upon completion of the I-Corps regional program, participants may be eligible to apply for the National NSF I Corps Team program – an intensive seven-week NSF training program with the opportunity to be awarded a $50,000 grant.
- What is I-Corps? Why should I participate?
- Hear from teams who experienced this program.
To commence in Spring 2025! The Bridge Accelerator Program accelerates the development of viable businesses by strategically providing RPI resources, expertise, and funding to promising teams.
Have you created or licensed a technology? Have you defined the target market for a service or product? Submit an application to join the Bridge Accelerator and get expert advising on adding value and going to market.
For the startups selected, the Bridge Accelerator spans:
- Technical Support
- Go to Market Strategy
- Increasing Value Through Intellectual Property
- Design for Manufacturing
- Product Validation
- Quality
- Team Building
- SBIR / STTR Training
- Marketing / Branding
- Sales / Financial Models
- Scale Up Strategy
- Networking
- Access to Capital
- Commercial-Ready Prototyping
- Licensing
Upon completion of the program, the most promising startups will be eligible to compete for funding, grants, and prize money.
The Capital Region of New York has a robust startup community with frequent programs and events for entrepreneurs. Check out some of what’s going on in the region. Expand your network to the entire region!