News by Topic: Entrepreneurship

You do what? From accountant to the stars to sustainable chocolate producer, RIT alumni have some pretty cool careers. Read about Margot Sandy ’08 (electrical mechanical engineering technology), ’12 MS (product development), a self-employed product development consultant.

When his brother’s horse died suddenly from colic in 2013, Michael Schab ’09 (computer engineering) saw an opportunity to create something that would prevent other equestrians from losing their beloved animals to this preventable affliction.

Meet Michael Rizzolo ’76 (basic interpreter training program), ’78 (social work), ’86 MS (human services management), the National Technical Institute for the Deaf 2019 Distinguished Alumnus.

RIT’s Venture Creations technology business incubator has named upstate New York entrepreneur Peter Parts as interim director. Parts assumes the role from former director Richard Notargiacomo, who will continue his work with Venture Creations as a coach while he transitions into retirement.

RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship is hosting a Business Pitch competition, open to all businesses operating within one of the four quadrants of the city of Rochester. Judges will examine the businesses’ unique competitive advantage, marketability, industry expertise of the owner/team, financial strength of the business and company growth.

WIVB-TV (Channel 4 Buffalo) features Jordan O'Brien, an incoming Saunders freshman, and his startup company Real Estate Studio.

Michael Mandina, president of Optimax, and Richard Plympton, CEO of Optimax, have been named the 2019 recipients of the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award, presented by Saunders College of Business. The award is given to entrepreneurial leaders in the greater Rochester region who have developed a business that has improved the local or regional economy or whose innovative management skills have changed the course of an existing business.

The Deccan Chronicle features Vipul Jain '99 (MBA), CEO of Advancells.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s Venture Creations business incubator has announced the recent inclusion of three new companies to its client list. The addition of BOT Links, RemWell and Lux Semiconductors brings the number of client companies to 23.

Forbes features a toilet seat developed by RIT that contains devices that measure blood oxygenation levels, heart rate and blood pressure to signal when someone is at risk for congestive heart failure.

When RIT student Austin Obiora Okwudili accepts his diploma on May 11 in front of family and friends, he says that he will fondly remember his late father and the legacy he left behind—always encouraging his children to work hard, be positive, persevere and, most importantly, keep the faith.

RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, in partnership with Rochester Economic Development Corp., has received $137,500 in funding from J.P. Morgan Chase Bank to help build an entrepreneurial ecosystem that will benefit small-business owners and residents of the City of Rochester. The funding is part of a larger $400,000 gift from Chase Bank to the City of Rochester.