Startup Allegany to Host Virtual Tri-Collegiate Think Tank

Article reprinted with permission from Melody Kellogg of IncubatorWorks

Startup Allegany, a county-wide partnership focused on building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Allegany County, announced Monday that they will host a virtual Tri-Collegiate Think Tank on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020.   

This collaborative event invites students from Alfred State College, Alfred University, and Houghton College to participate in an entrepreneurial-focused think tank that seeks to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.  With the pandemic looming over our economy as the major challenge businesses currently face, this half-day event will bring together students and representatives from some of the region’s leading employers in manufacturing, agriculture, and education.  Students will cycle through panel discussions to understand how the community and local businesses have been impacted, after which they will be challenged to generate ideas not only for overcoming the obstacles, but also for spotting opportunities that often arise from crises.  The president of each college will also be on hand to offer timely remarks on the day’s topic.

The Startup Allegany partners from the County IDA, ACCORD, Alfred State College, Alfred University, Houghton College, IncubatorWorks, and the Western New York Incubator Network (WIN), have met frequently to discuss how to keep students engaged in the community and in entrepreneurial activity during this time of virtual communications and learning.  “Inviting students to the table to collaborate with local leaders, with the aim of igniting students’ creative ideas, seemed the perfect vehicle,” stated Dr. Craig Clark, vice president of Economic Development at Alfred State College and executive director of the Allegany County IDA.  

"Even in the best of times, entrepreneurship is a collaborative effort between the community and business.  Engaging students early on and providing support and mentorship, lays the foundation for the growth and development of new economic opportunities in our community,” added Nancy Kirby, executive director of IncubatorWorks.  “We hope to have many more student-focused events in the future and thank this year’s sponsors, Alfred University College of Business and WIN.”