One of Rochester’s Fastest-Growing “Startups” Is Actually a School

How the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is rewriting the rules of business education and expanding into Buffalo

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In the world of startups, growth, agility, and purpose are the hallmarks of success. But one of Rochester’s fastest-growing “startups” isn’t a tech company or venture-backed firm it’s a business school that operates more like a modern accelerator than a traditional college.

Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano, the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship (GIBE) is built on a simple but bold premise: business education should be faster, more affordable, and rooted in the real world. The Institute’s two-year program is structured to develop business leaders and entrepreneurs through immersive, hands-on experience rather than theory alone.

A Mission with Momentum

GIBE’s mission is to deliver high-impact, practical business education at a fraction of the cost of a traditional four-year degree. Its model emphasizes applied learning, small class sizes, and direct collaboration with local companies. Students complete internships, build business plans, and graduate with the skills and network to step directly into leadership roles or launch their own ventures.

The school’s focus on accessibility and affordability reflects a broader vision: closing the gap between higher education and employability. By condensing what typically takes four years into two, the Institute positions itself as a model for next-generation business education, one that meets the realities of today’s workforce and startup economy.

The Startup Approach to School

From its operational model to its growth strategy, GIBE behaves less like a college and more like an emerging startup. The team behind the Institute designed it to be lean, responsive, and integrated into the regional business ecosystem. The curriculum evolves alongside the market, with new concentrations like AI & Business introduced to meet demand from employers across Western New York.

The Institute graduated its first class in 2025 and is already building out alumni partnerships and mentorship pipelines with Rochester’s startup and corporate communities. In just two years, it’s become a new kind of talent engine one that feeds directly into the local innovation economy.

Expanding to Buffalo

Now, the model is scaling. GIBE recently announced plans to open a second campus in downtown Buffalo, taking over the former Buffalo News building. The new location, slated to open in fall 2026, will replicate the Institute’s Rochester model an accelerated, hands-on business certificate program supported by partnerships with employers and mentors across Western New York.

The expansion is part of a deliberate effort to strengthen the business corridor between Rochester and Buffalo, developing a regional network of entrepreneurial talent. The Buffalo campus will also include programs designed to connect students with startups, small businesses, and community initiatives driving local economic growth.

A Vision for the Future

Behind the Institute’s success is founder Tom Golisano’s long-term vision: to make business education accessible, practical, and deeply connected to community and opportunity. That vision is carried forward daily by GIBE’s president, Ian Mortimer, who has become one of the leading voices for reimagining how business education aligns with economic development. Under his leadership, the Institute has shown how education can function like a startup launching quickly, scaling smartly, and measuring success by outcomes, not tradition. It’s a model that’s not just preparing students for business, but building the future of business in Western New York.

Looking Ahead

The Golisano Institute’s momentum represents more than an academic success story, it’s a regional blueprint for innovation. As Rochester and Buffalo continue to invest in talent pipelines and entrepreneurial ecosystems, GIBE’s expansion marks a defining moment in how education fuels local growth.

And fittingly, the conversation continues. Ian Mortimer will be the first featured speaker at Connected Know’s new “Good Venture Morning Coffee” meetup, kicking off in December. The event will bring together local founders, innovators, and business leaders to explore how education, entrepreneurship, and collaboration are reshaping Rochester’s business landscape.