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Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality
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October 2026
Greetings Incubator Family,
The semester is off to a quick and busy start with many exciting events taking place!
Over the next month, we're excited to bring that energy to life through new experiential learning opportunities and industry experiences:
Most notably, we are accepting applications for the 2026 HI Hub Incubator Cohort! As an exciting update, we now have $40,000 available as cash prize! With $20,000 granted towards the winner, and an additional $20,000 available through our partnership with the Beba Foundation. We will hold an Open House on Tuesday, October 6th at 2 PM - 4 PM on the 7th Floor HI Hub if you're interested in learning more, or would like to ask general application questions.
Through 6-months of mentorship, masterclasses, feedback, and growth, you have the chance to develop early-stage ideas into thoughtful, developed concepts. Take a chance on yourself, and challenge yourself through the procress of building something meaningful. The deadline to apply is quickly approaching on Friday, October 16th at 11:59 PM EST. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! I look forward to sharing more experiential, creative, and energizing learning opportunities available through the HI Hub in this new academic year. This community thrives because of your willingness to engage, support one another, and embrace the entrepreneurial mindset. Cheers to the upcoming Fall!
With appreciation and excitement,
Dr. K.
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Beba Foundation Partnership with the HI Hub Incubator
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The Beba Foundation has partnered with the HI Hub Incubator Program to participate in our Pitch Day 2027. The Beba Foundation has generously gifted $20,000, which means now there's a total of $40,000 cash prize available, providing more opportunities for the upcoming cohort. A special thank you to Umran Beba, the Co-Founder of the Beba Innovation & Entrepreneurship Foundation. The Foundation creates passion, ignites enthusiasm, and prepares mindsets of the innovative youth and female entrepreneurs by implementing continuous educational and training activities, mentorship and outreach programs.
They are dedicated to young, aspiring women entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into applications, commercial products, and/or services for global markets.
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$40,000 cash prize available! ($20,000 for the winning startup, and an additional $20,000 gifted by the Beba Foundation)
Attention ALL NYU students or alumni! Entrepreneurs across all schools, disciplines, and industries are welcome to apply with an early-stage, mid-stage, or late-stage startup idea.
The six-month program provides participating startups with
- Individual mentorship and advisory support
- Industry connections and networking opportunities
- Boot camps and master classes
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HI Hub Incubator Open House
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Have an idea for a startup? Join our open house to learn more about the resources available through the Tisch Center's Hospitality Innovation Hub to plan, launch, manage, and grow your business.
Stop by with any application questions you may have, and have the opportunity to chat with Dr. K. Donuts and coffee will also be served!
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 6th at 2 PM - 4 PM
Location: 7th Floor - HI Hub (NYU SPS Building - 7 East 12th street)
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Posh CEO Avante Price Opens This Year's Festival
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This year's Entrepreneurs Festival keynote features Avante Price (Stern), CEO and co-founder of Posh. Mir Hwang (CAS '19), founder and CEO of GigFinesse, moderates. Catch it live Fri, Oct 9 at Rosenthal Pavilion in Kimmel. Date/Time: Friday, October 9th at 1 PM - 6 PM
Location: 10th Floor, Rosenthal Pavilion, Kimmel Center
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Apply to be a Student Ambassador at the 2026 Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!
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Ten student ambassadors will have the unique opportunity for students to work at the travel industry’s premier conference. You will be a part of the team that produces the top events in travel, tourism, hospitality, and technology.
Phocuswright's objective goes beyond simply covering positions, they are passionate about providing students with an opportunity for education and growth. Spend time in the theatre, participate in breakout sessions and receptions when not covering a shift.
Accommodation will be provided for 3 nights, November 16th-19th. However, you are responsible for your own transportation and meals (that aren't included with the event). Dr. Richie Karaburun will also attend the Phocuswright Conference with the Student Ambassadors, and participate as a speaker.
Student Ambassadors will be paid $20/hour for their work at the Phocuswright Conference. Students will be required to be onboarded by Phocuswright's Human Resources Manager. This will involve providing a valid ID and address for sending payment. International Students will need CPT/OPT authorization to work the event.
Deadline: Wednesday, October 7th at 11:59 PM EST
Application Questions: Email Gene Ko ( Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at Phocuswright) eko@phocuswright.com
To apply, please use Phocuswright's application link. Please note that they will be reviewing all applications that need to include a resume, and answer to the short response.
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Are you curious about past Incubator cohort members? You'll feel more inspired than ever as they share their takeaways and how they have grown since joining the Incubator!
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Andrea Garrido - Chixa
(Fall 2021 Cohort)
How did the Incubator Program help your startup grow and develop?
"Gave the company visibility."
How has your startup developed or changed since the Incubator Program?
"Since completing the Incubator program, we finalized our R&D and perfected our beverage formulation through trials in Mexico. We are now preparing to soft launch this month, producing out of a facility in Upstate New York. Our product is an all-natural, ready-to-drink (RTD) 4% ABV Hard Tepache. A modern take on an ancestral Latin American Drink traditionally made by fermenting pineapple rinds with spices and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar)."
Do you have any additional news or achievements since the Incubator Program?
"We are already selling in one restaurant in Brooklyn called La Ñapa."
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HI Hub Summit - April 27, 2027
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SAVE THE DATE! We are hosting our inaugural HI Hub Summit on Tuesday, April 27th, 2027 in NYU Kimmel Center Room 912.
We are planning the following events:
- 10 AM: Panel
- 11 AM - 2 PM: Pitch Day and Lunch
- 2 PM - 3 PM: Student Networking
- 3 PM - 4:30 PM: Dr. Vanja Bogicevic, HI Hub Lab Presentation on Research on Technology
Join us for a day full of entreprenuership, innovation, and experiential learning! Refreshments and catering will also be provided.
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Why AI-driven enterprises are the future of entrepreneurship
Key Takeaways:
- AI-driven enterprises are more than simple AI product companies; they harness artificial intelligence across every functional area for competitive advantage.
- Capital raised and humans hired are becoming less important metrics for startups, which now gauge success by measuring annual recurring revenue per full-time equivalent employee.
- The definition of “company” is shifting from “a group of people working together” toward “a network of nodes comprising humans and AI agents.”
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The Skill Behind Every Successful Career Pivot — and How to Build It
Key Takeaways:
- Practice, don’t just read. Certification exams test judgment in realistic scenarios, so work through every practice question you can find and study the ones you get wrong.
- Put it on your calendar. “No time” is a decision, not a scheduling problem. Block a specific, recurring time to study; even 20 focused minutes a day adds up
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8 Academic Pathways for Entrepreneurs: Back Your Experience with These Degrees
The right degree can enhance your existing knowledge and provide you with a fresh perspective and tools you can take back to the business you’ve already created.
Take a look at the 8 degrees that can enhance your entrepreneurial expertise below:
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Quote of the Month
"You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.”
- Les Brown
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