Emerging Entrepreneurs Find Welcoming Ecosystem at Whitman’s Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator

The Couri Hatchery Student Business Incubator at the Whitman School is a lively and welcoming place for entrepreneurial-minded students to focus on creativity and innovation. Under the Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE), the Hatchery provides a community where students from across Syracuse University can launch, scale and grow their business ideas, and secure funding through initiatives such as the Orange Tank Pitch Competition, Panasci Business Plan Competition, Deans’s SDG Innovation Challenge and more.

“While the Whitman School has housed the Couri Hatchery for some time, over the past year we’ve really created an ecosystem where students from across the University have the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial ideas,” says Professor Maria Minniti, chair of the EEE department and the Louis A. Bantle Chair of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy at Whitman. “Students come in with very interesting business ideas, and we’ve created a space that is their home and a place to access resources, get solid advice and find any other help they need in developing their business ventures.”

Program Manager Indaria Jones, an award-winning entrepreneur, leads the program, offering her expertise from previously founding an incubator and facilitating over $128 million in funding for startups.

“Whitman has a solid entrepreneurship program and a dedicated department, which is not something found at every business school,” says Jones, who is a constant support to students at the Hatchery. “I’m really proud when our students put themselves out there at competitions, so I try to be available to them, and I love how motivated they are. I try to remind them that entrepreneurship is a journey and to bathe in that experience, learn what they can and explore until they figure it out.”

In addition to Jones, two entrepreneurs in residence, Emeka Ossai ’25 MBA and Tosin Alabi ’25 MBA, support students as they develop their ideas. Ossai, founder of Campus Labs in Nigeria, has been recognized with the Whitman Academic Excellence Award and a $5,000 Orange Innovation Fund Grant. Alabi, founder of DiabeTech, an electronic bandage for diabetic foot ulcers, has won $16,000 in prize money from various competitions. Both have led cultural programming at the Hatchery in alignment with Black History Month and Women’s History Month.

EEE Faculty members such as Professor Ken Walsleben, Adjunct Instructor Eric Alderman and Adjunct Instructor and founder of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries Linda Dickerson-Hartsock also mentor students, along with recent alumni.

The Hatchery has helped several students from the Class of ’24 find success. Noah Aznoian ’22, ’24 MBA, founded Entourus, a medical cannabis company that has produced over 1,000 products. Natasha Brao ’22 (VPA), ’23 M.S., ’24 MBA, launched Shooka, a Mediterranean spiced tomato sauce; she raised approximately $70,000 from various competitions and is now selling her product online and through local retailers. Za’Tozia Duffie ’24 (NEW) created Mirror Z60, an innovative hair care product, winning $2,000 in competitions. Frank Marin ’23 (ECS), ’24 MBA, developed space manufacturing technology through his company Marhold Space Systems, winning $17,000 and joining a space accelerator. Nicholas Smith ’22 (MAX), ’23 M.S., ’24 MBA, launched Barbara Hosman Art, showcasing his grandmother’s work online. Di Wang ’24 M.S. founded Bambooboo and Ivory Tower Fashion, selling over 85 products.

The Couri Hatchery is named for John Couri ’63 (A&S), co-founder of Duty-Free International and president of the Couri Foundation.

For information on the Couri Hatchery, visit LinkedIn, Instagram, or https://whitman.syracuse.edu/faculty-and-research/centers-and-institutes/falcone-center-for-entrepreneurship/couri-hatchery.