Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence (GEIR) Program

A Pathway for International Entrepreneurs 

Build your business, conduct your research

The University at Albany’s Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence (GEIR) program attracts and retains the most promising international founders launching innovative startups in New York — ensuring limitations in visa availability don’t drive their skills and knowledge elsewhere.

The program provides a structured framework that allows founders to transition from academic research to the leadership of high-growth companies in critical sectors, such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and nanotechnology.

GEIR is embedded in UAlbany's signature startup program, the Research and Innovators Startup Exchange (RISE), which takes concepts to commercialization.  

UAlbany international researchers transitioning to a startup founder role may apply to serve as Global Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (GEIRs) and receive H-1B visa support.

The GEIR program is funded by Empire State Development's New York Global Entrepreneurs Program (NYGEP). As an inaugural grant recipient, UAlbany is providing a clear pathway for identifying top talent while leveraging resources from across the University and the Capital Region. 
 

Program Goals
About the Role
How to Apply

 

 

GEIR program goals

The GEIR program may assist international founders secure H-1B status through multiple pathways as an extension of their research, scholarly and/or entrepreneurial pursuits. This includes:

  • Establishing a clear pipeline and ensuring stability for UAlbany graduate students, post-docs and researchers to transition from various visa programs to H-1B status, ensuring that startups can meet their goals
  • Supporting emerging startups in sectors of national and global importance by extending their technical and commercial development life cycles, enabling them to pursue funding and achieve business success
  • Providing UAlbany's Office of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships (OEDEIP) with the infrastructure needed to advance programs critical to the University and its Division of Research and Economic Development’s five-year strategic plan — including increasing invention disclosures and licensing opportunities, as well as supporting high-growth startups in rapidly emerging fields 
goals

 

The role of a Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence (GEIR)

role
Responsibilities

To maintain GEIR status, you will be assessed on your ability to carry out this role and required to attend all related UAlbany Innovation Center programming over a nine-month to one-year period.  

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Mentorship & Advising: Guiding new startups, researchers or students on business models, market validation, fundraising and commercialization strategies.
  • Bridging Gaps: Acting as a connector between entrepreneurs, investors, industry partners and internal stakeholders (such as faculty, students or portfolio companies).
  • Commercialization Support: Encouraging researchers to translate early-stage research, ideas or prototypes into viable business opportunities, including licensing, spinouts or startup formation.
  • Strategic Development: Working with founders on strategic decisions, such as team building, scaling operations or entering new markets.
  • Program Contribution: In University or Innovation Center settings, helping shape programming, judge competitions and strengthen entrepreneurial culture. 
Experiential rotation

If selected to participate, you will complete three rotations with these UAlbany offices:

The rotation is designed to help each office address startup development gaps — both for your own startup, and for various stakeholders across campus and the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem.

You will explore new entrepreneurial programs, emerging private investment pathways, immigration and visa policies, and intellectual property challenges and opportunities for researchers. Each rotation will last approximately three months per office. 

Key support systems

If you are accepted as a GEIR, you may be able to continue your studies and/or research while also building your business.  

You and your startup will benefit from programming provided by the UAlbany Innovation Center, including three key support systems:
 

Entrepreneurial Programming

The UAlbany Innovation Center is an incubator program for the next generation of world-changing technology companies in early-stage development, particularly those who work in areas of state and federal competitiveness. It also welcomes industry partners and external companies seeking to collaborate with UAlbany researchers.  

As a founder or co-founder, you can elect to join any regional incubator, but if your company elects to become members of the UAlbany incubator, it may stay for up to three years. Note: Exceptions to incubator tenure limits may be made for biotech and health science companies that may require a longer runway.
 

Visa Status & Support

SUNY RF will serve as the Primary Sponsoring H-1B Employer offering part-time salary to support GEIR responsibilities.

Upon approval of the primary petition, a startup company will have availability to file a concurrent visa for applicable C-suite positions (for example: CEO, CIO or COO).   
 

Commercialization Success

As you receive support from Office of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships (OEDEIP), your startup will pursue external investment opportunities to advance your venture — following the same pathways as other startups engaged in commercialization programming.  

While investment is not guaranteed, OEDEIP is strategically positioned to engage external investment firms across multiple regions and targeted sectors, expanding access to capital and mentorship for emerging founders.  

During your RISE cohort, you will be introduced to the broader investment landscape — one that differs significantly from traditional research and academic funding mechanisms.

This exposure continues through OEDEIP’s extended programming, which reinforces investor readiness and business development strategies. Ongoing support is provided for up to three years, contingent upon your continued engagement with and active participation in commercialization programs.  

Our staff and experts reserve the right to terminate support or end the relationship at any time if agreed upon milestones are not met. Such termination would also conclude your eligibility pathway for full H-1B status. 

 

How to apply for UAlbany’s GEIR program

Applying to become a Global Entrepreneur-in-Residence (GEIR) is a competitive process, with limited opportunities available each year.
 

apply
Step 1: Participate in RISE and/or disclose intellectual property (IP)

Even though entrepreneurship is not linear, UAlbany will use a streamlined process to determine international researchers’ eligibility for the program. Avenues for inclusion include:  

  • Participating in the RISE program as a student or post-doc by completing the RISE matchmaking process, or as a PI or founder by applying to an upcoming cohort. 
    • If any intellectual property has been disclosed, the RISE team will work with the Office of Technology Transfer to understand the status of the invention.
  • Contacting Kelly Reardon or Brett Orzechowski from the Office of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Partnerships with any questions. 

If you are selected as a candidate, you will then select which Research & Innovators Startup Exchange (RISE) cohort to participate in (fall or spring).

Step 2: Complete the RISE program

As a student, post-doc or founder, you must successfully complete the RISE program before you can be named a RISE EIR. Requirements include:

  • Completing a regional National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) short course
  • Submission of a commercialization plan, go-to-market strategy, or business development plan, depending on the maturity and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the concept, as determined by OEDEIP
  • Presentation of a final investor pitch deck at your RISE cohort’s Demo Day

Note: If you completed a previous RISE cohort before the beginning of the GEIR program, you are still eligible to be named a GEIR. 

Step 3: Start the H-1B process and become a GEIR

Once you complete the RISE program, you must formally declare your intent to begin the GEIR application process and work with University and RF offices.

You must also prepare a comprehensive work plan (for your startup) that includes oversight responsibilities for any RISE Fellows who choose to pursue the GEIR opportunity.

If you are a RISE Fellow, you must create a similar compliance timeline to maintain accurate visa status in accordance with all federal mandates, including key expiration or extension dates.

Ready to apply or have questions?

Please contact us at [email protected] or by completing the GEIR Inquiry Form.