Free Founder Program Launches for New York Startups
Early-stage founders in nine New York and New Jersey counties can apply to a no-cost, nine-month training program starting in 2027.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Internships
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Adelphi University received $982,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce to run a free entrepreneurship program open to founders in nine New York and New Jersey counties. The Adelphi Entrepreneur Experience is scheduled to launch in February 2027 for selected startup founders, including people not enrolled at the university.
Why it matters
The program targets early-stage founders in high-growth sectors such as biotechnology, clean technology, artificial intelligence and fintech, offering structured business training for ventures that may not yet have access to formal support. It is funded through the Minority Business Development Agency's PJM Entrepreneur Education Program, reflecting federal interest in expanding startup support in the region.
The $982,000 federal award funds two planned cohorts of 20 students each over a nine-month program with six four-week learning sessions. Eligibility covers nine counties across Long Island, New York City and northern New Jersey.
The players
Adelphi University
A private university on Long Island whose Robert B. Willumstad School of Business runs the program and develops its faculty-led curriculum.
U.S. Department of Commerce
The federal department whose Minority Business Development Agency funds the PJM Entrepreneur Education Program that supports this training.
The details
Participants develop business strategies, products and fundraising skills through six four-week learning sessions developed by Adelphi business faculty. Project-based externships give founders practical experience, and Adelphi is working with CVL Economics and Extern to support delivery. Applicants must be the original founders of their startup ideas and must live, work or attend school in one of the eligible counties.
Timeline
Jan. 19, 2027: application deadline for the inaugural February cohort.
February 2027: Adelphi Entrepreneur Experience scheduled to launch.
Spring 2027: first group of 20 students planned to begin.
Fall 2027: second group of 20 students planned to begin.
Market Landscape
The award places a university-run, federally funded founder program alongside existing startup support in the New York metro area. It targets high-growth sectors where early-stage ventures often struggle to access structured business training.
Early-stage founders in the eligible counties should weigh whether a nine-month, no-cost program fits their timeline before the January deadline. Operators in biotechnology, clean technology, fintech and healthcare should watch the cohort's outputs as a sign of the local startup pipeline.
The takeaway
Founders with original startup ideas in the nine eligible counties should check the January 19, 2027 application deadline and eligibility criteria before applying. Operators tracking the regional startup pipeline should monitor the spring 2027 cohort's results as the first measurable output of the program.
What happens next
The application deadline for the inaugural February 2027 cohort is Jan. 19, 2027, and the first group of 20 students is planned to begin in spring 2027.
Further reading
For related context on entry-level career paths for new founders, see Internships in New York.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New City Daily Voice.
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