Syracuse Sun

The Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries has awarded a $2,500 Student Start-Up Fund grant for the Spring 2025 semester. This grant, previously known as the Innovation Fund, is available on a rolling basis to both undergraduate and graduate students who need assistance in moving their ideas from concept to commercialization.

Sydney Moore, a graduate student from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and founder of Thrive Insights, received this semester's grant. Thrive Insights hosts a podcast titled “Let’s Talk About It,” which engages student-athletes with discussions about relevant issues they face. Sydney Moore, who is also a Division 1 volleyball player, serves as the host of this podcast that launched on all platforms on December 9, 2024. The grant facilitated Moore in incorporating her business.

Applicants for the fund are required to outline their needs and define expected outcomes within a specific timeframe. The initial funding was provided by Jeffrey Rich, a partner at Rich Michaelson Magaliff LLP and member of the Syracuse University Libraries Advisory Board. Rich committed to a multi-year pledge of $25,000 annually over five years from 2020 to 2025.

“I wanted to contribute in a way that directly supports student new ventures and removes any obstacles to startup development,” said Jeffrey Rich.