Entrepreneurship on the Heights

Student entrepreneur

The Keenan Center’s mission is clear – to support the lifecycle of dreams and ideas. Want to create a podcast? Launch a clothing line? Develop a patent for your own unique invention? All of that – and more – is possible at the Keenan Center.

Let us help you shape your dream into reality through business development, mentoring, support and professional development.

Innovation Is Waiting at the Keenan Center

The Keenan Community of Entrepreneurs, Innovators & Creatives learn by doing are passionate about innovation and want to build a better world.

Welcome to the Keenan Center

If you are ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, this is the group for you. Benefits include additional access to funding opportunities, mentorships, featured speakers, professional development, travel opportunities and more.

Meet the Budmens

What if you could “hear” color? What if your 3D printer could create an intricately designed and delicious dessert? Isaac and Stephanie Budmen encourage these questions in their work at the Keenan Center as the Center’s designer of educational programming and mentorship and the designer of education content and programming, respectfully. The Budmens work with students, faculty and the Greater Syracuse community to instill a philosophy of creative discovery. This process, they stress, begins by nurturing something that we all innately have: curiosity.

Student Innovation at Keenan

Celestin Abwe ’23, founder and president of Clutch Delivery LLC, began his journey thousands of miles away, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For Jamie Sonneville and Jason Hill, presenting their company's, Agri-Trak, story at the 2023 TechCrunch Disrupt conference was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They placed in the final six of TechCrunch, which helped to draw the attention of major investment firms, thanks to the Keenan Center.

What to Expect at the Keenan Center

One-on-one mentorship with experienced business professionals. Support from fellow entrepreneurs. Real-world experience and real-world money. The Keenan Center is bursting with new opportunities every single day.

  • Equipment and Resources
    Access state-of-the-art facilities in our Center’s MakerSpace, including 3D printers, a virtual/augmented reality station, and a digital media/recording studio.
  • Mentorship
    Work with experienced mentors to develop a new business or grow your current business.
  • Compete to Earn Startup Funding
    Participate in Le Moyne’s Dolphin Tank program to compete for $50,000 for startup funding.
  • Travel Opportunities
    Travel to entrepreneurial hubs like Columbus, NYC, Washington, DC and more.
  • Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
    Pursue your passions and craft a career around something you truly love. Our entrepreneurship and innovation minor will prepare you for working with businesses in the real world.
  • Gain Real-World Experience
    Our externship program, ’Phin Labs, places students into established global and regional companies embedded in high-tech, cutting edge and new economy businesses to sharpen their skills.

We not only open our doors to the people on Le Moyne’s campus, but also to the community at large. We’re saying that here is a space where you can make and create and ask questions. Let’s all discover together.”

Stephanie Budmen, Designer of Education Content and Programming
Take a Look Around the Keenan Center

FAQs

Our services are open to all! While certain hours at the Center are reserved for members of the Le Moyne College community, everyone is welcome at the Center.

  • Sunday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
  • Monday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
    10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for general walk-ins
  • Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
    10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for general walk-ins
  • Wednesday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
    10 a.m. – 4 pm for general walk-ins
  • Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
    10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for general walk-ins
  • Friday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe
    10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for general walk-ins
  • Saturday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. via Le Moyne College card swipe

We’re located at 1135 Salt Springs Rd, Syracuse, NY 13224. We’re next to the Le Moyne College bookstore.

Yes! The Center is here to help you explore new ideas, refine existing ones and discover your passions.

Our Keenan Center community is highly collaborative and friendly! Our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators often turn to one another to brainstorm and work through problems together.

Our Center’s wonderful staff is trained on how to use our Center’s equipment. We would be happy to show you how it’s done!

Questions? Let’s get in touch.

Mike D'Eredita

Mike D’Eredita

Director of the Keenan Center

Interested in learning more about the Keenan Center?