Research & Innovators Startup Exchange (RISE)

Participating in RISE allows you to build your team and assess the value of your invention. 
 

Eligibility

Any UAlbany researchers interested in exploring the commercializing intellectual property or advancing entrepreneurial endeavors may participate. 

Interested researchers from other Capital Region institutions should contact Brett Orzechowski at [email protected] to inquire about eligibility.
 

Expectations

Participating researchers are be expected to:

• Offer a hands-on educational experience, while encouraging communication and professionalism.
• Introduce participating students to your research and your research team.
• Share your career journey and why your work matters with your team.
• Treat participating students as essential members of your team.
• Meet with your team regularly to answer questions and receive updates.
• Notify course instructors if students aren’t making appropriate progress. 
   

Additional Information 

You should prepare a short slide deck (about three to five slides) highlighting your project or startup idea. You’ll present your slides to students during multiple pitch sessions at our matchmaking event.

We recommend including a slide about yourself and your research, alongside slides on your project or startup idea. You should also include your expectations for student partners, so students know what their work with you may entail.

The matchmaking event is set up a little like speed dating: Researchers are assigned a space, and students rotate through each station. There are typically about 10 groups, and you’ll pitch to each group individually. (We’ll let you know ahead of time exactly how many pitches you’ll give.)  

Each pitch session lasts seven to eight minutes. Since that time includes your presentation and any questions, we recommend approaching your pitches with flexibility. As you refine your pitch, try a variety of approaches, so you can adjust your presentation based on the group and their interests.

After the matchmaking event, students have three days to select the researcher they want to work with. We’ll send you a list of interested students and ask you to choose the students you'd like to work with on your team.

Once you have an established team, you’ll complete on-boarding, a business model canvas and other important first steps together. 

Participating in RISE allows you to gain valuable work experience and explore the world of entrepreneurship. 
 

Eligibility

UAlbany students may participate in RISE voluntarily or as part of a course requirements, depending on the cohort.

Students also may be eligible for the RISE Fellowship.
 

Expectations

Participating students are expected to:

• Work as a team in a professional matter.
• Meet with your team regularly to share progress and address questions.
• Actively participate in the course for which this project is a requirement.
• Notify course instructors of any concerns, such as a lack of appropriate progress. 
   

Additional Information

If you have a class that overlaps with RISE meetings, please contact Brett Orzechowski at [email protected] for guidance.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

International students are encouraged to participate in RISE and the RISE Fellowship. CPT authorization may be required in some cases, so we work with each student individually to ensure compliance.  

If CPT is necessary, you’ll need to pay for credit(s) associated with CPT up front. Select RISE Fellows receive a stipend to offset some of this cost, contingent on their successful completion of the fellowship.  

Please contact Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Kayla O’Donnell at [email protected] with any questions regarding CPT. 

Jyotsana Rajendra Parkhedkar
Master's Student
Computer Science

Sruthi Swaminathan
Master's Student
Business Analytics

Sathvika Chiti
Master's Student
Computer Science

Keith Membe
Master's Student
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sai Manoj Kartala
Master's Student
Computer Science

Samuel Zhao
Undergraduate Student
Computer Science

Jay Patel
Master’s Student
Computer Science

Faruk Curebal
PhD Candidate
Cybersecurity/AI

Sandro Marino El Gornati
Undergraduate Student
Computer Science

Jahnavi Cherukuru
Master's Student
Information Science