Welcome to the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory

The Startup CoLab is a hub for entrepreneurship at UB, a destination for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to come together in the spirit of innovation. We offer many programs and engagement opportunities for students across all schools, majors and degree levels to develop their skills and ideas as they become integral contributors to the larger WNY entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Success Stories

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Chip Down
11/13/26
Chip Down won second place at UB's Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition in April 2017.
Viachosen
11/13/26
Anmol Bambrah caught the entrepreneurial bug last summer when she was inspired by famous entrepreneurs like Tai Lopez, Elon Musk and Lilly Singh.
Inspiring Future Engineers
11/13/26
When Isabel Hall was 16 years old, she turned her passion for thrifting vintage clothes into a business.
ZPY Technology, LLC
11/13/26
Frustrated by inefficiencies within the hospital, specifically within the surgical areas, ZPY Technology, LLC is developing a system of integrated Bluetooth wristbands to streamline communication between patients and doctors.
Bitcrusher
11/13/26
Bitcrusher won first place at UB’s Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition in April 2018.
Opollo Technologies
11/13/26
Ryan Young founded Opollo Technologies, a fintech health care AI company. Their cloud-based AI platform learns from a wide range of health care data to optimize operating room scheduling.
Dimples
11/13/26
"Dutch mini pancakes have always been something that Dimples founder Lyon Lascu has been passionate about. But when he was studying abroad in Singapore, he realized something; Why couldn’t he find them in America? “It is so popular elsewhere, it should be popular here, especially since Americans love food,” said Lascu. This line of thinking invigorated an entrepreneurial spirit within Lascu and prompted him to start Dimples, a breakfast food business that specializes in Dutch mini pancakes.
JustDishin and SkateSkins
11/13/26
JustDishin COO and SkateSkins co-founder Nick Ciavarella has always had a passion for entrepreneurship. His love for it has been a constant in his life.

A Community of Innovators and Entrepreneurs

The Startup CoLab complements SUNY’s Applied Learning Programs, serving as a campus-based entrepreneurship and innovation program by providing students with resources and skills to be competitive as they apply for industry jobs and pursue their passions. Whether as participants, spectators, leaders or volunteers, UB’s community of innovators is inspiring and promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across campus.

People from across the university, who are passionate about everything from arts and the humanities to life sciences and engineering, are brimming with ideas to start new and exciting businesses. This, combined with UB’s existing entrepreneurial educational programs, experiential opportunities and support services, will help bring those ideas to life.

“I sometimes forget that there are so many different activities and different experiences that the city has to offer. It makes me want to spend more time exploring around downtown Buffalo.”

7/27/26

Margaret Bace, Extern at FoodNerd

“I hope these two students we enjoyed working with will continue to pursue a career in medicine, and will additionally consider a future position at Kaleida Health.”

7/27/26

Dori Marshall, MD, Chief Medical Officer, John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, Kaleida Health

“I really enjoyed networking with other students who were also entering their first professional experience, knowing we were all in it together.”

7/27/26

Stephanie Newberger, Extern at the Buffalo Zoo

“I got to work for a Black-owned business which aligns with who I am as a Black woman. It was empowering to work for a Black woman-owned business.”

7/27/26

Madison Batiz, Extern at Twipes

“The externs sent to us completed valuable and much needed projects for the departments they were placed in.”

7/27/26

Gretchen Martin, Director of Payroll & Benefits, NOCO LLC

“As an engineering student, there aren’t many opportunities to learn how to speak and present in front of others. The Startup CoLab gave me a safe place to push my limits and get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

11/9/26

Ava Fetzner BS, Environmental Engineering | UB WNY Prosperity Fellow Alumna

“The Startup CoLab marked a turning point in my journey from student to founder. It gave me the space, the people and the resources to take an idea seriously and actually build it. ”

11/9/26

Prakshal Jain BS | Computer Science

“[The program] gave us access to an excellent candidate who might not otherwise have known about our company.”

7/27/26

Maggie Donnelly, Research Engineer, ACV Auctions

“Before this experience, I was almost narrow-minded to the opportunities for growth for nurses in a hospital. Now… I’m going to continue to work on developing the skills I've observed nurse leaders exhibit…”

7/27/26

Morgan Grandberry, Extern at Kaleida Health

11/9/26

Ava Fetzner BS, Environmental Engineering | UB WNY Prosperity Fellow Alumna

“It was cool to see my solution in the works and listened to, regardless of my status on the team.”

7/27/26

Rhiannon Furey, Extern at Tresca Design

“The externs conducted useful research and provided insights regarding customer service and operations. It was a pleasure having them with us.”

7/27/26

Mary E. Borgognoni, Director of Internships & Career Development, West Herr Automotive Group

“Having the opportunity to do an internship as a sophomore where the expectation isn’t to be the best, but to be the best you and focus on growing and learning… I can’t even begin to describe [how] valuable that is.”

7/27/26

Sulayman Ceesay, Extern at StepWise

“I loved making new friends and connections, and I will hopefully be working for my company again during the semester.”

7/27/26

Amrita Ganapathy, Extern at AMPAworks

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The Experiential Bridge Between Classroom Learning and Real‑World Application

The Startup Colab provides a low‑risk, supportive environment where students can test ideas, apply entrepreneurial and innovative skills, connect with industry and community partners, and build experience capital that enhances career mobility.

The Skill >>> The Confidence It Creates

Problem Framing >>> I can identify a real problem and explain why it matters.
Creative Problem Solving >>> I can generate and test ideas, not just talk about them.
Collaboration >>> I can work across disciplines and use different perspectives to improve an idea.
Communication and Persuasion >>> I can clearly pitch an idea, recommendation or solution.
Career Confidence >>> I can connect innovation experiences to my resume, interviews, LinkedIn and career goals.
Entrepreneurial Mindset >>> I can take initiative, navigate ambiguity and move an idea forward.

Award-Winning Impact Throughout UB — and Far Beyond

12,000+ Startup CoLab student participants
350+ venture coaching appointments
50+ venture launches
96% of participants say the Startup CoLab adds value to their UB experience
Named top undergrad school for entrepreneurship by Entrepreneur and the Princeton Review
Honored with the Award for Excellence, Bronze by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators for the Sophomore Externship Experience
Among just 12 universities receiving top honors at 2025’s GCEC’s Annual Conference
Awarded the Student Leadership and Engagement Award from the Global Consortium for Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC)