Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship Launches “Founder’s 5” Scholarship Program 

Regional Businesses Rally to Make a Business Education Accessible and Affordable for All 

ROCHESTER, NY, April 20, 2023 – Rochester business leaders are dedicating their time and resources to Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, by establishing a “Founder’s 5” scholarship program for incoming students. Founded and fully funded by Tom Golisano, Golisano Institute provides a tailored two-year certificate program aimed at making a premier business education accessible for all. The Institute will open this fall to welcome its first class of students. 

I am deeply grateful for the support of our advocates and supporters via their commitment to internships, presenting and networking with our students, and working with us to produce 250 entrepreneurially-minded, professionally-prepared, graduates a year once we hit our steady state. said founder Tom Golisano. “These founders believe, as I do, that the institute will have a significant positive impact on the lives of young people and the region’s economic future.” 

The “Founder’s 5” scholarship offers a grant of $5,000 annually to eligible 2022, 2023 and 2024 graduates of Section V high schools. Applicants must be nominated by a high school administrator, teacher or guidance counselor, exhibit the characteristics best suited for success at the institute and desire to grow their business ideas or careers in the Rochester region. 

Founding businesses supporting the scholarship program include Domino’s Pizza, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Greenlight Networks, M&T Bank, New Vision Development Group, Paychex, Second Avenue Learning, and Wegmans. 

“The Rochester region has all of the intellectual capital, infrastructure, natural resources, and reputation to become the premier destination for building successful careers in business and commerce,” said Mark Murphy, CEO, Greenlight. “Like most regions of the country, the only deficiency is highly motivated, knowledgeable, and self-starting employees to grab the opportunities and generate value for themselves and the region. From what I have seen from the curriculum and approach to learning, Golisano Institute will help resolve the issue.” 

Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship offers a distinctive business-focused curriculum, integrated with local, regional and national employers and accessible for individuals of all ages seeking to pursue a career in business or start a new venture. Tuition for the two-year certificate program is $8,900 per year, payable in two installments of $4,450. Need-based financial assistance is also available to eligible students, including “Founder’s 5” scholarship recipients. 

Nominations for the “Founder’s 5” scholarship may be submitted until July 1, 2023. Standard admissions criteria apply. Recipients will be recognized in August at an event hosted by Tom Golisano. To nominate a potential recipient, or for more information, please visit Golisanoinstitute.org/founders5. 

About Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship 

Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship offers a timely and affordable alternative path to a business education for high school graduates and young working professionals. Our two-year certificate program provides an intensive immersion in business-related coursework and an experiential learning environment. Our purpose is to efficiently turn out highly trained entrepreneurs in the greater Rochester region. 

About Tom Golisano 

B. Thomas Golisano is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader born and raised in Rochester, New York. He has demonstrated an ongoing dedication and commitment to building innovative businesses, supporting numerous non-profit organizations, and advocating for inclusive health and several civic issues. He has contributed over $330 million to many local and national organizations, children’s hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. He also has a family foundation that specializes in assisting organizations that serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Golisano is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, benefits, human resources, and insurance services for more than 730,000 clients in the U.S. and Northern Europe. He was also owner of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team, a three-time candidate for governor of New York, and is an investor in more than 25 outside enterprises. His investments have helped drive the success of numerous businesses, including start-ups. 

Mr. Golisano graduated from Alfred State with a two-year associate degree in general business management and has received five honorary doctoral degrees from Rochester-area colleges and universities. He has written two books entitled Built Not Born and The Italian Kid Did It!” 

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