Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship

The latest news from the entrepreneurial hub of the Nolan School.

Tom posing with a group of students after a coffee chat while serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence

‘Buy now, pay later’ model extends to travel

Pillsbury Institute Advisory Board member shares his company’s origin story: making travel more accessible with payments over time

Jason Spillerman judging the 2025 Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition.

Entrepreneur in Residence Spotlight: Jason Spillerman ’92, P ’25

Real estate consultant and entrepreneur Jason Spillerman shares lessons from three decades of building and investing in businesses

Katelynn Wiseman and Miya Deng, seniors in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, present their startup, ALK.
SC Johnson College

Wellness bar proposal wins hospitality pitch deck competition

The winning team’s reimagining of the traditional hotel bar features kava- and CBD-infused cocktails.

Five students work at a table with a large screen on the back wall of the room.
Nolan School

Hospitality Hackathon winners propose app to cut billing complaints by 25%

At Cornell’s 2025 Hilton Hospitality Hackathon, more than 100 students tackled hospitality business challenges.

a woman and a man standing next to each other, holding crystal awards and smiling.
Nolan School

Where Innovation Meets Impact: The Nolan Hotel School Celebrates Industry Luminaries

Tech pioneer Cindy Estis Green ’79 and Hyatt Hotels CEO Mark Hoplamazian redefine hospitality through innovation, strategy, and human-centered leadership.

Grace Van Hollebeke speaking at the Women and Hospitality Entrepreneurship event

Experiences and Lessons from Entrepreneur in Residence Grace Van Hollebeke ’19

With a stable of independent service providers as her copilots, a luxury travel and hospitality business owner builds her client base on trust and collaboration.

Image of a large group of women attending the Women and Hospitality Entrepreneurship Roundtable

Women and Hospitality Entrepreneurship Roundtable

Women business leaders share the importance of values, authenticity, relationships, communication, and integrity.

A woman dressed in business attire speaking on stage.
Nolan School

Snack Startup Cramp Bites Wins Hospitality Business Plan Competition

Armita Jamshidi ’25 won $25K for her startup Cramp Bites, natural pain-relief snacks for soothing menstrual cramps.

Headshot of a woman with brown curly hair standing in an art gallery.
Nolan School

Cindy Estis Green ’79 Named 2025 Cornell Hospitality Innovator

The award will be presented to the CEO and co-founder of Kalibri Labs, LLC, on June 3, 2025 in New York City.