Building Marketing Skills While Supporting Startups

This project offers students a unique opportunity to work directly with startup founders on real-world marketing challenges. Whether it’s building a website, crafting a go-to-market strategy, or conducting market research, students function as embedded consultants within a startup team. The experience is intentionally designed to bridge academic theory with entrepreneurial practice, while also supporting the growth of small businesses in Western New York.

Participants will deepen their skills in branding, marketing strategy, content creation, and stakeholder communication, all while developing a standout portfolio. Projects are structured around deliverables like marketing plans, competitor analysis, SEO-optimized websites, and customer personas. Students also gain exposure to mentorship from faculty and local venture coaches, preparing them for success in agency, startup, or corporate marketing roles.

The program culminates in a final presentation to startup founders, celebrating the progress made and insights uncovered 

Potential achievement of a badge is contingent upon fulfilling the following four components:

1. Project Participation & Completion

Students must actively contribute to the development and execution of a marketing deliverable (e.g., go-to-market strategy, website, branding plan, or market research report) for their assigned startup.

Deliverables must meet the expectations of both the startup founder and the CoLab faculty mentor.

2. Collaboration & Communication

Students must attend team check-in meetings, provide regular updates, and collaborate effectively with peers, mentors, and startup clients.

Active engagement during feedback sessions with founders and coaches is expected.

3. Final Showcase Presentation

Students must prepare and deliver a final 5–8 slide presentation that includes:
a) Project title and team members
b) Summary of the startup’s challenge and marketing solution
c) Overview of deliverables
d) Reflections on team collaboration
e) Impact of the work on the startup and personal growth

4. Professionalism & Reflection

Students should demonstrate professionalism throughout the project, including clear communication, timely submissions, and a growth mindset.

A short reflection form must be submitted, detailing the student’s learning outcomes and how the experience contributed to their professional development.

• UB's Startup and Innovation Collaboratory 

• Email Professor Celine Krzan at celineke@buffalo.edu to get started.
• Complete all CoLab Marketing Studio onboarding materials, including goal setting, industry research, and orientation video (typically completed before your project kickoff). 

add keywords from faculty form as well as their UB DEPARTMENT....