Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
At Iona University, we know that everyone — regardless of major or program — can be an entrepreneurial and innovative leader.
The Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is an interdisciplinary hub for the development of creativity and leadership skills critical for success in a global economy. Learn how to take your ideas from concept to execution. Take a course on the entrepreneurial mindset, attend a guest lecture and collaborate with peers and mentors in our coworking space.
Learn to Lead
The Hynes Institute has curricular offerings for every type of Iona student. Get a taste of entrepreneurial thinking, then dive deeper into design thinking, business modeling and leadership with our undergraduate minor, two undergraduate majors, health and wellness entrepreneurship track or graduate certificate program that can be taken alone or as part of an MBA.
Minor in Artificial Intelligence
Our interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence (AI): Foundations and Applications Minor is designed for students of all majors. Explore these powerful tools and learn how to use them in ethical, productive and innovative ways.
Ready. Set. Innovate.
The Iona Innovation Challenge is an annual pitch competition where students present solutions to real-world problems. Throughout the course of a semester, you’ll complete a series of milestones — a video pitch, an executive summary and a pitch slide deck — and receive feedback from industry and faculty mentors. Finalists will be invited to a live pitch event where the winners receive monetary prizes!
Take a Virtual Tour
Dream. Create. Lead.
With a free-flow workspace and 3D printer, the Hynes Institute offers space for students to learn and grow as they develop their entrepreneurial spirit.
Space to Create
The Hynes Institute is located at the center of campus at Spellman Hall; a 3,800-square-foot state-of-the-art coworking space offering a modern and sustainable home for creativity on campus.
GaelVentures
In this program, you’ll have access to GaelVentures, Iona’s own community incubator space. Work alongside fellow students, mentors, entrepreneur-in-residence and faculty members to develop your ideas and gain new perspectives on your work.
Events
December 3, 2024
- Hynes Coworking Space (Spellman Hall)
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
February 7, 2025
- Hynes Coworking Space (Spellman Hall)
- 10:00am - 2:00pm
Hynes Institute By the Numbers
$15 Million
gift from James ’69, ’01H and Anne Marie Hynes established the Institute in 2017.
3,800
square feet of new, modern space was created to house the Institute in 2019.
$6,000
in total prize money awarded each year at the Iona Innovation Challenge.
Recent News
More News from the Hynes InstituteHynes Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series event draws a packed crowd
Guidance and Growth: A Gaels Go Further Mentorship Success Story
Logan Balsan ’25, a mentee in the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program, finds value and mentorship beyond the classroom.
In the News