Operation Innovation: Startups on Campus

Colleges and universities launch business incubators to instill entrepreneurial spirit—and so much more


New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering launched its first incubator in 2009 and has grown to include three more centers in two New York City boroughs, housing up to 50 companies at a time.

Just one-third of Tandon’s startups are affiliated with the university. And, thanks to partnerships with higher ed institutions overseas, the incubator is home to a number of international entrepreneurs exploring opportunities in U.S. markets and, in turn, giving American entrepreneurs a global market perspective.

“It creates a much richer dynamic to open the space to both NYU and non-NYU companies,” says Kurt Becker, the school’s vice dean for research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

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