IncubatorWorks is bringing the Co.Starters Small Business Accelerator Class to Allegany County, starting September 9, 2026!
Co.Starters is a nationally recognized, accredited program trusted by entrepreneurs across the country to help build stronger businesses.
📅 11 weeks | Wednesdays | 6:00–8:30 PM 💻 On Zoom 💰 $99 course fee 🏆 Best pitch wins $500!
This hands-on program is designed to help you take your business to the next level — and with Allegany County's CDBG MicroEnterprise Grant just announced, now is the perfect time to get started! The grant offers $10,000–$35,000 in funding for local small businesses with 5 or fewer employees, and completing this class satisfies the required entrepreneurship training.
We continue to celebrate our teens! Even after wrap-up, IncubatorWorks is still reflecting on this wonderful group of teenagers from Elmira High School who spent their summer diving into entrepreneurship through our Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program (now in its 4th year!!). The creativity, drive, and fresh perspectives from this group made this one to remember.
We're also thankful for the thoughtful feedback our students shared along the way. This is helping us shape an even stronger program for the next cohort.
None of this happens without the organizations that keep investing in Elmira's young people. Our deepest thanks to: 🔹 New Energy New York (NENY) 🔹 City of Elmira, New York 🔹 Corning Credit Union 🔹 Chemung Canal Trust Company 🔹 Hilliard 🔹 M&T Bank Foundation 🔹 Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. 🔹 Wegmans 🔹CAF USA 🔹Corning Community College 🔹RIT
Your continued support gives these students a real shot to learn, build, experiment, and pitch their ideas.
Thank you as well to WENY News 18 for stopping by to spotlight our graduates and everything they accomplished.
Congratulations again to every graduate of this summer's program. Proud doesn't quite cover it...we're excited to see what you build next!
One of the highlights of our 2026 Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program was a visit from Rose Olsen, MPA, from the Governor’s Office!
The conversations about career goals, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of building meaningful connections gave our students a lot to think about. We are grateful to Rose for taking the time to meet with our young entrepreneurs, share her experiences, and encourage them to think boldly about their futures.
Also! Note the script we used on our white board during class. The students requested we add lessons on signing their names using script during the program...and we did just that! Here's a reminder to keep asking students what they need to be successful 🙂
We thank Brooke Hockeborn for co-facilitating this year's program. ... See MoreSee Less
Looking back on such a great day at RIT last week! Our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship crew toured campus, checked out their Kodak rooted battery program, and stopped by the MAGIC Center. So much cool stuff to see — thanks for having us! Rochester Institute of Technology... See MoreSee Less
Looking back fondly on some of the great tours we experienced with the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship program. Thank you so much Corning Community College for a great day! Program Alum Sean McNerlin gave us a tour since he is now a CCC Student! ... See MoreSee Less
Reflecting back on some of the great tours we did with the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship program. Thank you so much The Hilliard Corporation for a great tour and your support! ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you WENY TV News for highlighting the 4th Annual Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program graduation for these amazing Elmira High School Students. Congratulations to the Winners! ... See MoreSee Less
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) — Young entrepreneurs in Elmira had the chance to get some hands-on experience learning about business as part of a summer program. Over the past month, over
On behalf of Chemung Canal Trust Company, IncubatorWorks has been selected to receive a $2,500 Small Business Recovery Grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY).
IncubatorWorks is incredibly grateful for this nomination and award and is pleased to announce that the funding will support our 2026–2027 business plan program, as well as our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which is currently underway through the end of the month. ... See MoreSee Less
Today we celebrate the incredible impact Jodi DeRico has made on our youth, local entrepreneurs, adult learners, and increasing IncubatorWorks’ social media presence.
Jodi built and grew our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program from the ground up, and this week marks her fourth consecutive summer leading it. Through her leadership, the program has empowered young people to discover their potential, explore career opportunities, and gain the confidence to pursue their futures. Her impact over the last four years has been immeasurable. Throughout her time with us, she has:
Inspired Innovation & Lasting Impact: Introduced the entrepreneurial mindset and business idea validation to 57 students through the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program over four summers. By helping students transform ideas into action through hands-on learning and business development, she achieved an outstanding 98% completion rate.
Expanded Horizons: Organized 43 visits to colleges, businesses, and industry partners, helping students explore higher education, workforce training, and career opportunities beyond high school.
Built Community Partnerships: Fostered relationships with 28 community organizations, businesses, colleges, and workforce partners to create meaningful opportunities for students and strengthen our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Elevated Community Engagement: Since taking over IncubatorWorks’ social media strategy, Jodi has grown the organization’s online visibility by 1,600% while doubling audience engagement. Through strategic communications and creative storytelling, she consistently achieved engagement rates well above nonprofit industry benchmarks, significantly expanding awareness of IncubatorWorks’ programs, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community partnerships throughout the Southern Tier.
Jodi also supported adult entrepreneurs through educational programming, marketing initiatives, and community events, always bringing creativity, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed.
This marks Jodi’s final week at IncubatorWorks. While we will miss her daily presence on the team, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Jodi in her new role down the road at the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce. We wish her the absolute best as she takes on this next chapter to serve local small businesses and expand the Chamber's reach!
As the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program concludes after four successful years, we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the funders, partners, employers, mentors, volunteers, and educators who made this work possible. Together, we helped equip the next generation with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to pursue their futures.
Looking ahead, IW will continue to look at ways to serve our area youth. ... See MoreSee Less
🌟 READY TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS? 🌟
IncubatorWorks is bringing the Co.Starters Small Business Accelerator Class to Allegany County, starting September 9, 2026!
Co.Starters is a nationally recognized, accredited program trusted by entrepreneurs across the country to help build stronger businesses.
📅 11 weeks | Wednesdays | 6:00–8:30 PM
💻 On Zoom
💰 $99 course fee
🏆 Best pitch wins $500!
This hands-on program is designed to help you take your business to the next level — and with Allegany County's CDBG MicroEnterprise Grant just announced, now is the perfect time to get started! The grant offers $10,000–$35,000 in funding for local small businesses with 5 or fewer employees, and completing this class satisfies the required entrepreneurship training.
📲 Sign up for the class here: forms.monday.com/forms/0e5a4c0abb243f94138de173d19b3199?r=use1
👉 Learn more about the MicroEnterprise Grant: www.acida.org/microenterprise.html
📩 Questions? Contact kbarres@incworks.org
#AlleganyCounty #SmallBusiness #IncubatorWorks #CoStarters #entrepreneurship ... See MoreSee Less
We continue to celebrate our teens! Even after wrap-up, IncubatorWorks is still reflecting on this wonderful group of teenagers from Elmira High School who spent their summer diving into entrepreneurship through our Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program (now in its 4th year!!). The creativity, drive, and fresh perspectives from this group made this one to remember.
We're also thankful for the thoughtful feedback our students shared along the way. This is helping us shape an even stronger program for the next cohort.
None of this happens without the organizations that keep investing in Elmira's young people. Our deepest thanks to:
🔹 New Energy New York (NENY) 🔹 City of Elmira, New York 🔹 Corning Credit Union 🔹 Chemung Canal Trust Company 🔹 Hilliard 🔹 M&T Bank Foundation 🔹 Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. 🔹 Wegmans 🔹CAF USA 🔹Corning Community College 🔹RIT
Your continued support gives these students a real shot to learn, build, experiment, and pitch their ideas.
Thank you as well to WENY News 18 for stopping by to spotlight our graduates and everything they accomplished.
Congratulations again to every graduate of this summer's program. Proud doesn't quite cover it...we're excited to see what you build next!
www.facebook.com/share/p/1bC66oVr7v/
photos by Like Magick Photography
#YouthEntrepreneurship ... See MoreSee Less
One of the highlights of our 2026 Summer Youth Entrepreneur Program was a visit from Rose Olsen, MPA, from the Governor’s Office!
The conversations about career goals, entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of building meaningful connections gave our students a lot to think about. We are grateful to Rose for taking the time to meet with our young entrepreneurs, share her experiences, and encourage them to think boldly about their futures.
Also! Note the script we used on our white board during class. The students requested we add lessons on signing their names using script during the program...and we did just that! Here's a reminder to keep asking students what they need to be successful 🙂
We thank Brooke Hockeborn for co-facilitating this year's program. ... See MoreSee Less
Looking back on such a great day at RIT last week! Our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship crew toured campus, checked out their Kodak rooted battery program, and stopped by the MAGIC Center. So much cool stuff to see — thanks for having us!
Rochester Institute of Technology ... See MoreSee Less
Great memories from our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship tours! Thanks so much, CAF USA, for a great tour in Elmira! ... See MoreSee Less
Looking back fondly on some of the great tours we experienced with the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship program. Thank you so much Corning Community College for a great day! Program Alum Sean McNerlin gave us a tour since he is now a CCC Student! ... See MoreSee Less
Reflecting back on some of the great tours we did with the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship program. Thank you so much The Hilliard Corporation for a great tour and your support! ... See MoreSee Less
Thank you WENY TV News for highlighting the 4th Annual Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program graduation for these amazing Elmira High School Students.
Congratulations to the Winners!
... See MoreSee Less
Students show off startup pitches at entrepreneur expo
www.weny.com
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) — Young entrepreneurs in Elmira had the chance to get some hands-on experience learning about business as part of a summer program. Over the past month, overOn behalf of Chemung Canal Trust Company, IncubatorWorks has been selected to receive a $2,500 Small Business Recovery Grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY).
IncubatorWorks is incredibly grateful for this nomination and award and is pleased to announce that the funding will support our 2026–2027 business plan program, as well as our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which is currently underway through the end of the month. ... See MoreSee Less
Today we celebrate the incredible impact Jodi DeRico has made on our youth, local entrepreneurs, adult learners, and increasing IncubatorWorks’ social media presence.
Jodi built and grew our Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program from the ground up, and this week marks her fourth consecutive summer leading it. Through her leadership, the program has empowered young people to discover their potential, explore career opportunities, and gain the confidence to pursue their futures. Her impact over the last four years has been immeasurable. Throughout her time with us, she has:
Inspired Innovation & Lasting Impact: Introduced the entrepreneurial mindset and business idea validation to 57 students through the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program over four summers. By helping students transform ideas into action through hands-on learning and business development, she achieved an outstanding 98% completion rate.
Expanded Horizons: Organized 43 visits to colleges, businesses, and industry partners, helping students explore higher education, workforce training, and career opportunities beyond high school.
Built Community Partnerships: Fostered relationships with 28 community organizations, businesses, colleges, and workforce partners to create meaningful opportunities for students and strengthen our regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Elevated Community Engagement: Since taking over IncubatorWorks’ social media strategy, Jodi has grown the organization’s online visibility by 1,600% while doubling audience engagement. Through strategic communications and creative storytelling, she consistently achieved engagement rates well above nonprofit industry benchmarks, significantly expanding awareness of IncubatorWorks’ programs, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community partnerships throughout the Southern Tier.
Jodi also supported adult entrepreneurs through educational programming, marketing initiatives, and community events, always bringing creativity, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed.
This marks Jodi’s final week at IncubatorWorks. While we will miss her daily presence on the team, we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Jodi in her new role down the road at the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce. We wish her the absolute best as she takes on this next chapter to serve local small businesses and expand the Chamber's reach!
As the Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program concludes after four successful years, we also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the funders, partners, employers, mentors, volunteers, and educators who made this work possible. Together, we helped equip the next generation with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to pursue their futures.
Looking ahead, IW will continue to look at ways to serve our area youth. ... See MoreSee Less