Innovation and Entrepreneurship Student Policy

Last Updated August 13, 2026

New York Institute of Technology ("New York Tech") is excited to provide students with various opportunities offered by the New York Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Academy (collectively, the "Academy"), including, but not limited to: access to the Startup Tech Central ("STC") facilities, academic programs in all New York Tech schools and colleges, other entrepreneurship programs such as the Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center ("ETIC") and the SOM Center for Entrepreneurial Studies ("CES"), and applications for funding from the NYIT Venture Fund. The benefits provided to students by these opportunities include the following:

• Space for research and collaboration
• Mentorship opportunities
• Networking opportunities with members of the New York Tech community and outside entrepreneurs, companies, and agencies
• Education and information relevant to new ventures, including setting up and funding a business

New York Tech does have certain expectations of students who take advantage of these benefits offered by the Academy. Each Student agrees as follows:

1. All activities and projects must be consistent with New York Tech's mission. Students will provide New York Tech administrators and faculty with any requested information about their activities to ensure this consistency and that the activities pose no potential to harm New York Tech.
2. All research involving human subjects or vertebrate animals must follow applicable IRB and IACUC protocols. Students will themselves, or through their faculty advisors, consult with the New York Tech Office of Sponsored Programs and Research ("OSPAR") for a determination of required protocols.
3. Student activities must comply with all applicable laws and New York Tech policies. Students should contact either their dean, or the STC, ETIC, CES or other program director with any questions about this compliance, and the dean or director will consult with applicable New York Tech departments—for example, IT for data security questions, and the legal department for questions about intellectual property, conflict of interest, confidentiality, or other legal issues.
4. Students must comply with the New York Tech policy on acceptable use of technology resources and data.
5. Student will keep confidential and not disclose or use with others any non-public information regarding projects and activities conducted through the STC, ETIC, academic course or other Academy offering. Without limiting the foregoing, Student will comply with any non-disclosure agreements between New York Tech and/or Student and any outside party of which New York Tech has made Student aware.
6. New York Tech will have the right to photograph Student and use the names, likenesses, images of, and interviews with, Student in photographic, audiovisual, digital or any other form of medium (the "Media Materials") and to use, reproduce, distribute, exhibit, and publish the Media Materials in any manner and in whole or in part, including in brochures, website postings, informational and marketing materials, and reports and publications describing New York Tech's or the Academy's activities.
7. New York Tech's policy on Ownership of Student Coursework and Inventions is included in the New York Tech Student Handbook. Look to the full university Patent and Intellectual Property policy for the full provisions, but generally students own their creations and inventions which are developed without substantial university resources, third party sponsorship or employee status.
8. Participation in the Academy does not guarantee funding, investment, incubation, introductions, commercialization support, or continued access.
9. Mentoring, coaching, feedback, introductions, and other support provided through New York Tech or the Academy are intended to support student learning and entrepreneurship. Such support does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, financial, investment, regulatory, or other professional advice.
10. Students are responsible for ensuring that their entrepreneurship activities do not interfere with their academic progress.
11. Student research used for academic coursework must not be restricted by commercial interests.
12. Students must disclose actual or potential conflicts involving New York Tech faculty, staff, research, coursework, sponsored projects, purchasing, investor relationships, or use of New York Tech resources.
13. Any Student who starts a business, whether or not incorporated, using any New York Tech facilities, even only as an address, or other New York Tech resources, must disclose the business to their dean and must execute the New York Tech Student Facilities/Resources Use Agreement, which will be provided to the Student by the New York Tech legal department.
14. Failure to comply may result in suspension or termination of access to Academy programs, facilities, funding opportunities, mentorship, events, or other resources; referral under applicable student conduct, academic, employment, or other university processes; and other remedies available to New York Tech.