Hello Incubator Family,

As we move further into the spring semester, there is an incredible sense of momentum building across the HI Hub community. Our Fall 2025 Cohort have been working hard behind the scenes - refining their ideas, strengthening their business models, and preparing to present their ventures at one of the most exciting milestones of the year: Pitch Day this April. It has been inspiring to watch these concepts continue to evolve as teams collaborate with mentors, test new ideas, and push their thinking further.

In the lead-up to Pitch Day, we are also excited to host a special Pitch Day Round Table discussion. This event will bring together industry leaders to share insights on alternative pathways into entrepreneurship, including franchising, search funds, and acquisitions. Our speakers will share their experiences navigating these paths and offer valuable perspectives for anyone interested in building and leading ventures in today’s evolving business landscape.

Events like this are a reminder that the incubator is more than just a place to develop ideas - it is a community of learning, collaboration, and support. Over the past several weeks, I’ve seen teams dedicating significant time to refining their pitches, meeting with advisors, and thinking critically about how their ideas can make a meaningful impact. The preparation happening now is laying the groundwork for what will be an exciting and rewarding Pitch Day.

As always, I encourage everyone in our community, whether you are actively pitching, exploring a new idea, or simply curious about entrepreneurship, to take advantage of these opportunities to learn, ask questions, and connect with others who share your interests. The conversations and relationships built here are just as valuable as the ventures themselves.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming round table and, of course, celebrating the incredible work of our teams at Pitch Day later this spring.

With appreciation and excitement,
Dr. K.

Forget the pressure of the "million-dollar idea." Discover how the next generation of leaders are finding success through alternative paths to entrepreneurship like Search Funds, Franchising, and Acquisition. Join us to explore how you can apply your entrepreneurial spirit to proven models and lead an existing legacy into the future.

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: 7 East 12th Street, Conference Room 321

Whether you're curious about franchising, corporate hospitality, or new ways to channel your entrepreneurial mindset, this is a great opportunity to learn from leaders shaping the industry.

Join us for the NYU SPS Tisch Center of Hospitality HI HUB Incubator Pitch Contest, an extremely concise presentation of an entrepreneur's idea, business model, marketing strategy, competitive analysis, and financial plan, which is delivered to potential investors. The premise is that it could be made in a few minutes, should the entrepreneur spot a potential investor on an elevator and have the opportunity to pitch their idea during the brief ride.

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 11 AM - 2:30 PM EST
Location: 7 East 12th Street, Conference Room 321, New York, NY 10003 or Zoom

Travel technology companies are competing to control the full ground-transportation journey—from discovery to booking. Platforms like BlaBlaCar, Rome2Rio, Travelier, and Flix are expanding rapidly through acquisitions, international growth, and new multimodal travel options such as buses, trains, ferries, and more.

The piece also highlights how fragmentation in the transportation industry and emerging technologies like AI are reshaping how travelers plan trips—and which companies will ultimately own the “A-to-B” journey.

Read the full article by PhocusWire.

Business leader Demos Parneros explores why many companies struggle with growth - not because of marketing or strategy, but because they overlook one of their most valuable assets: customer experience. Drawing from his leadership roles at companies like Staples, Macy's, and Barnes & Noble, Parneros argues that long-term success comes from businesses that stay truly focused on serving their customers, even when efficiency and cost-cutting pressures rise.

The article highlights how leaders can strengthen customer trust, balance technology with human connection, and build systems that prioritize meaningful service.

Read the full article by Entrepreneur.

A recent PhocusWire article highlights how artificial intelligence is changing hiring strategies across the travel industry. Companies like Expedia Group, Booking.com, Sabre Corporation, and Skyscanner are increasingly prioritizing candidates with AI literacy as they invest in agentic AI, machine learning, and automation. Leaders say future employees won’t just need technical skills—they’ll also need adaptability, critical thinking, and curiosity to work alongside rapidly evolving AI tools. 

Read the full article by PhocusWire.