Hello Incubator Family,

As we welcome fall, there’s a special buzz around the Incubator — and for good reason. Our new cohort of founders are getting ready to join us this month, bringing fresh ideas, bold energy, and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our NYU community. In the next two weeks, mentors will select six startups that will shape the next wave of innovation at the Incubator.

Entrepreneurship today looks different from even a year ago, largely because of the growing role of AI and large language models (LLMs). These tools are no longer optional — they’re essential. Whether it’s automating workflows, improving customer insights, or even helping with creative ideation, AI is becoming the quiet co-founder in every modern startup. As we prepare our new members, one of our priorities is helping them use these technologies responsibly and effectively — not as shortcuts, but as catalysts for smarter, faster growth.

We’re also excited to highlight our “Where Are They Now?” series, showcasing the journeys of our alumni who continue to make an impact long after their time in the Incubator. This month, we feature Levent Tuysuzoglu of Hazelicious, who turned his Incubator experience into tangible retail success — a story that perfectly captures the power of mentorship, persistence, and community.

And speaking of mentorship — our “Get to Know Your Mentors and Investors” section returns this month. It’s a reminder that great founders aren’t just built through effort and luck, but through learning from those who’ve been there before.

The Incubator continues to be more than a workspace; it’s a launchpad where creativity, discipline, and technology intersect. As we look ahead to another inspiring semester, I invite you to stay connected, stay curious, and continue building — one idea at a time.

— Dr. K

NYU has been named a top 8 Ignition School this year by Fast Company and Inc. magazines, climbing two spots from 2024 (and ahead of Cornell, Berkeley, and Yale)! Ignition Schools recognize "the colleges and universities shaping future entrepreneurs and innovators" at a pivotal moment for higher education. 

This recognition is a true reflection of the outstanding community at NYU, which has propelled the university to the forefront of entrepreneurship, innovation, and research commercialization. It truly takes a village, and we’re fortunate to have an amazing one here at NYU!

Read the full article by Fast Company.

AI is transforming the hospitality industry — but not every hotel is keeping pace. New research shows that while 78% of major hotel chains are experimenting with AI, only 7% have a clear company-wide strategy, leaving trust and adoption lagging. Independent hotels, meanwhile, are moving faster and already seeing strong returns, with nearly 75% reporting measurable gains from AI tools in guest communication, marketing, and pricing.

Read more to see how hotels are bridging the gap between human touch and automation — and why small properties may have the edge in the AI race.

Read the full article by Phocuswire.

ChatGPT is officially becoming a travel platform. OpenAI just launched in-chat apps, with Expedia and Booking.com among the first partners — giving its 800 million users the power to search destinations, compare flights and hotels with real-time pricing, and even explore interactive maps without ever leaving the chat. Tripadvisor, Uber, and TheFork are next in line, and experts say this could reshape how travelers plan and book trips from start to finish.

Read more to see how ChatGPT’s new app ecosystem could transform the OTA landscape and redefine the future of travel planning.

Read the full article by Phocuswire

In today’s job market, your personal brand is more than just a résumé booster — it’s your career insurance policy. Experts say it’s what keeps your value visible even when company loyalty fades. Building it starts with three key moves: expanding your network locally and globally, strengthening your online presence beyond your employer, and investing in evergreen content and tools that showcase your expertise over time.

Read more to learn how building your personal brand can safeguard your career and open new opportunities — no matter where your path leads.

Exciting News! This year we have received 14 applications for the 2025 Innovation Hub's Incubator Program. The selection committee of our mentors/investors will soon begin the process to review these innovative startups, where 5-6 will be selected for our next cohort.

Our applicants represented startups from different industries, including Tourism and Hospitality, Health & Services, Food Services, Academics, Sports, Beauty, Marketing, and Social Services. Additionally, we've received a diverse pool of applicants from different NYU Schools, including SPS, CAS, Steinhardt, Tandon School of Engineering, and Gallatin.

Stay tuned to our November newsletter to learn more about the startups and which ones were selected!

Save the Date! (Tues, October 28th - Wed, October 29th at 8 AM - 6 PM EDT)

Following an incredible inaugural year, the Travel Trends AI Summit returns for its second edition, bringing together over 1,500 of the brightest minds from across the travel and technology sectors for the collective benefit of our industry.

Hosted in partnership with TourRadar, the AI Summit V2 will showcase the latest applications of AI in travel through a series of demos, workshops, and insight sessions. Join industry leaders, tech innovators, entrepreneurs, and executives to see the revolutionary impact AI is having on every facet of the travel sector, from transforming brands and enhancing customer experiences to boosting profitability through real-world use cases and cutting-edge solutions.

What to Expect in 2025
We’re thrilled to feature world-class keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and dynamic panels with experts from top technology firms, venture capital groups, emerging start-ups, and leading travel brands.

Our initial list of speakers has been announced and includes companies such as Microsoft, AMEX Ventures, MindTrip, Stripe, Hyper Nimbus, AskLayla, Sherpa, GuestOS, iWander, and many more.

Thank you to the Innovation Hub's Incubator Program, Dr. K, and his partnership with the Traveltrends Podcast. You can register for this online summit for FREE using this promo code: NYUStudent2025

(ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST 50 STUDENTS WHO REGISTER)

Students from the Tisch Center of Hospitality had the exciting opportunity to attend the 2025 Arival 360 Conference as Student Ambassadors in National Harbor! Arival is the future-focused event for growth-minded experience creators and sellers of tours, activities, and attractions.

The Student Ambassador program is a unique opportunity for students to work at the Destination Experience industry’s premier conference, collaborating with hundreds of creators of tours, activities, attractions & experiences. Students worked directly with the Arival 360 team in various conference organization tasks while gaining exposure to a network of the biggest names in destination experiences, including operators, tech, distribution, and more! Dr. Richie Karaburun also attended the Conference with the students, and had the opportunity to talk about AI in Hospitality

Tisch Center Student Ambassadors:
Ethan Ochital
Sofia Fajardo
Cece Andrews
Stephen Robinson
Maulidinda Nabila
Maggie Thompson

Thank you to the SPS I-HUB Incubator Program for its partnership with Arival Travel, which brings experiential learning to life!

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!