Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship expands to Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Billionaire Tom Golisano has plans to use the former Buffalo News building in downtown Buffalo to help the future generations of entrepreneurs.

“It’s a great education, it’s real-life practical skills that are hands-on and it’s not just theory it’s actual hands-on experience,” said Giang Nguyni, a student who will be graduating from the Institute in Rochester in February.

The Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship started in Rochester in 2023 and they are expanding their business education to Buffalo.

“By having a location in Rochester and a location in Buffalo, where we’re working together, having people move back and forth, bringing interns from Buffalo to Rochester, brining Rochester interns to Buffalo. We hope we’re part of this kind of solution where we’re book ending Western New York with the Institute Centers, and then having that be the foundation where the whole region starts taking advantage of all our assets,” said Ian Mortimer, the president of the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship.

The Institute has a 24-month-long professional certificate program in business and entrepreneurship, which offers students exposure to real business world experiences, including requiring at least three internships.

“It’s a unique opportunity, it’s a unique access for these students to receive this highly integrated and very contemporary curriculum that is all focused on preparing them for business, but it’s also tied to these guaranteed internships that are part of the program,” said Bill Gisel, the executive vice chairman of Rich Products Corporation.

They’re also offering a one-year advanced certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Business.

“The implication of artificial intelligence is not a technology issue, it’s a people issue, people have to change workflows, people have to change processes they have to change how they do business, and you have to have a kind of business perspective on AI to really have transformational change within your organization,” said Mortimer.

They said they will also have evening programs for executives to understand AI, and will also have an open-door policy where organizations will be able to spend time with their Artificial Intelligence Group.

The cost of tuition is $8,900 each year, and tuition will cover materials and a new laptop for students.

Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula announced on Thursday that he will endow ten scholarships for the institute.

They are hoping to have 75 students enrolled when the open in the fall of 2026. For more information about the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship that will be in Buffalo, visit their website here.