Student Entrepreneurship

Strong Entrepreneurial Endeavors

For 13 years, Clarkson has hosted the North Country Regional Business Plan Competition, an exciting platform for local student entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas, engage with seasoned investors, and compete for impactful funds. This is one of several regional competitions held across New York. 

Although college students from across the North Country region participate, it’s no surprise that those from Clarkson perform exceptionally well. True to form, the grand-prize winner of the 2024 competition was Young Innovator & Entrepreneur Emelie Laribee (I&E ‘26) with her business EmeliesMinis.

With a goal to inspire creativity and cultivate a life-long passion for innovation in children, EmeliesMinis sells unique “Learn to Crochet” kits for ages 5-12+. Focusing on the scalability and real-world impact of this product, Emelie’s pitch amazed the judges, earning her a spot at the state-wide competition in Albany.

Emelie’s advice for student entrepreneurs wanting to pitch their business idea at a competition? “Practice, practice, practice - and be confident! It's important to show passion and excitement for your idea. Don't be afraid if you can't answer every question or mess up, just be true to yourself and your innovation.”

Personalized Business Support

For students ready to take their ventures to the next level, Ignite offers the Cube, an exclusive business incubator providing full-time support and resources. Admission to the Cube is highly competitive, with only one to three businesses earning a spot each semester following an exciting pitch event.

When Ledina Banushllari (ChemE ‘25), an Ignite Presidential Fellow and Maker Mentor, set out to develop an innovative lip balm for her Honors Capstone Project, its commercial potential quickly became undeniable. Seizing the moment, she launched Milips as her personal entrepreneurial endeavor.

Through the Cube, Ledina has honed a compelling value proposition, identified key sales and distribution channels, and conducted vital customer discovery. While more development remains, the future of Milips is bursting with potential. Without Ignite’s acceleration, this quick growth would not have been possible.

Since its inception in 2018, the Cube has been home to a diverse array of pioneering ventures. Among its most remarkable success stories is KLAW Industries, which developed an innovative, cost-effective, and eco-friendly cement replacement. As for the Cube’s next global success, only time will tell.

Ledina’s thoughts on her trailblazing innovation? “I never imagined that I’d have the courage to start a business - I just had an idea and decided to act on it. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Clarkson’s innovation ecosystem whenever you feel the same. With the right help, your vision can be turned into reality.”