A Rendering of a PediaFlow control unit prototype.

Infant heart-assist device gets new life with $4.7M grant

Cornell’s expertise in research, technology and business education translates into meaningful impacts in communities around the world. Our mission extends beyond the classroom, helping entrepreneurs access the research and mentorship they need to start and grow successful businesses.

Commitment to Economic Impact & Entrepreneurship

Research and engagement

Sandhya Ganesan.

CCMR pairs New York state startups with faculty

The Cornell Center for Materials Research helps startups create new, innovative products by connecting them with university researchers.
Cornell’s Smoothie Bites.

Cornell’s tasty Smoothie Bites freeze out competitors

Cornell’s food product development team created Smoothie Bites, which won a national contest.
CEO of Ava Labs, with other co-founders and team members.

Blockchain startup raises a quick $42M in first sale

Avalanche, a blockchain platform built around research first conducted at Cornell, raised $42 million in less than five hours.

Cornell's Entrepreneurship Ecosystem logo.

Entrepreneurship Programs Campus Map

Explore the abundant opportunities and resources that Cornell offers to support budding entrepreneurs

FOCUS ON: ALUMNI ENTREPRENEURS

Euwyn Poon.

Dan Sommer ’97 leveraged higher ed to teach workers valuable skills
Jake Reisch.

Jake Reisch ’15 makes headphones that improve seniors’ lives
JanenFisher and Jenna Kerner.

Jenna Kerner ’11 is on the cusp of change in the bra industry
Steve Hindy.

Steve Hindy ’71, MAT ’75, put Brooklyn beer on the map
Susan Danziger.

Susan Danziger ’86 creates video tools to connect people
Divya Gugnani.

Divya Gugnani ’98 creates beauty essentials for busy lifestyles

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Thought Leaders in Economic Impact & Entrepreneurship

Louis Hyman

The gig economy

Louis Hyman has written about the rise of consultants, temps, freelancers and day laborers.

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Mike Goore

Feeding the world

Plant breeder Mike Gore harnesses cutting-edge technologies to speed the engine of evolution.

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Deborah Estrin

Health tech

MacArthur fellow Deborah Estrin is trailblazing the use of mobile devices and data to address social challenges.

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Kelly Musick

Gender and income

Kelly Musick examines income inequality within families and how childbirth contributes to the gender wage gap.

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Jawad Addoum

Climate change

Behavioral economist Jawad Addoum is uncovering the effect of extreme temperatures on company earnings.

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Richard Geddes

Infrastructure policy

Richard Geddes is an expert on the delivery of major infrastructure projects, including new modes of high-speed transportation.

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Shannon Gleeson

Immigration reform

Shannon Gleeson studies the opportunities and challenges faced by immigrants with temporary protected status.

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Karan Girotra

Transforming business

Karan Girotra collaborates with companies building new business models in the areas of urban living, smart transportation and e-commerce.

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Susan McCouch

Digital agriculture

Susan McCouch is developing new ways to address food security in a growing world.

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Cornell’s Local Economic Impact

Cornell’s dedication to the local community, demonstrated through engagement and contribution of resources, is one reason Ithaca is consistently ranked among the top small cities in the nation.


  • $5.6M
    Property taxes paid
  • $150M
    Purchasing in Tompkins and adjacent counties
  • $7.14M
    Contributions to local governments, Ithaca City School District, nonprofit organizations and public transit
  • $337M
    Federal, state and corporate research funding spent locally

Learn how we're innovating and solving problems

Explore our contribution to a buzzing entrepreneurial ecosystem