Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship
The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship engages leading industry experts and faculty to educate students and provide them with experiential opportunities to learn all aspects of entrepreneurship. To support these critical goals, the Pillsbury Institute offers students, entrepreneurs, and faculty an expanding range of courses, programs, and activities focused on advancing students’ entrepreneurship knowledge and mastery.
Directors’ welcome
As we reflect on the past year, I am incredibly proud of the forward momentum the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship has made. Our progress is all because of the community—students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners—that continues to strengthen our mission and our impact. Read More
Engagement
At all stages of ideation, the Pillsbury Institute offers students, entrepreneurs, and faculty a broad range of courses, programs, and activities in which to engage.
Corporate relations
Giving opportunities
Support an academic entrepreneurial program or finance a space where students can brainstorm and collaborate on business ideas and ventures.
Members
Become a member and help the Pillsbury Institute provide professional expertise for student entrepreneurs.
Featured stories
Hospitality leader gains Gen Z insights while sharing lessons learned
In a Pillsbury Institute program, Brutus Broth co-founder Kim Hehir ’94 and other entrepreneurs help students build businesses and networks.
Budding entrepreneurs learn through experience
From competitions to hackathons, mentoring to networking, the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship provides a wealth of industry experience.
PIHE Perspective: Insights on emotion-led brand building
Hospitality leader shares insights on emotion-led brand building.
Cornell Business News
Ithaca Hummus founder Chris Kirby named 2026 Cornell Hospitality Innovator
Chris Kirby ’14, founder of Ithaca Hummus, is named 2026 Cornell Hospitality Innovator and will be honored June 2 in NYC for leadership and impact.
Hospitality competition winner plans to expand restaurant into a chain
Master’s student Avery Sheppard won $25,000 to put toward her fish and chips eatery by winning the Nolan School’s hospitality business plan competition.
Students design wellness solutions for North Carolina community
During a weekend design challenge, students focused on building a more connected wellness ecosystem.
Pillsbury Institute events
Join us at an upcoming event.
September 14, 2026 at 8:30am
Entrepreneurs in Residence: Hunter Friedland ’19
Hunter Friedland ’19, Founder & CEO, Cirona Labs Expertise: • Entrepreneurship • Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) • Product Development •…
September 15, 2026 at 8:30am
Entrepreneurs in Residence: Hunter Friedland ’19
Hunter Friedland ’19, Founder & CEO, Cirona Labs Expertise: • Entrepreneurship • Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) • Product Development •…
September 17, 2026 at 9:00am
From Shelf to Scale: Building Brands That Last
From Shelf to Scale: Building Brands That Last Thursday, September 17 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Pillsbury Institute, 189…
September 18, 2026 at 2:15pm
Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship Fall Kickoff
Kick off the fall semester with the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship! Join us for an afternoon of fun, connections,…
September 23, 2026 at 1:00pm
eCornell Keynote: Raising the Stakes: Designing the Casino of the Next Decade
The gaming landscape is shifting faster than a roulette wheel spins. Deregulation has multiplied the number of venues, online wagering…
September 24, 2026 at 4:30pm
Interactive Classroom Series: Entrepreneurship Basics
Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business. Join the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship for six interactive sessions exploring the…
September 28, 2026 at 8:30am
The Future Food Equation: Rethinking Growth, Value & Survival in F&B
September 28, 2026 New York, NY By invitation only. Roundtable discussions will be facilitated by Lilly Jan, lecturer at the…
October 7, 2026 at 8:30am
Entrepreneurs in Residence: Steve Chasen ’91
Steve Chasen’91, Founder & Managing Partner, Deep Channel Partners, LLC Expertise: Strategic Planning Cross-Functional Team Leadership Sales Marketing Meet with…
October 8, 2026 at 8:30am
Entrepreneurs in Residence: Steve Chasen ’91
Steve Chasen’91, Founder & Managing Partner, Deep Channel Partners, LLC Expertise: Strategic Planning Cross-Functional Team Leadership Sales Marketing Meet with…
October 15, 2026 at 6:00pm
Hospitality Business Plan Competition – Information Session
Do you have a hospitality business idea or early-stage startup? This is your chance to compete for up to $25,000…