NESTS: Necessary Eleven Steps to Tech Startups
Turn Your Idea into a Startup or Build Your Career with IDEA
One Course. Two Paths.
Whether you want to launch a startup or build the innovation skills employers value, the NESTS program gives you the tools, experience, and industry connections to succeed.
Path 1: Turn Your Idea into a Startup
Learn how to validate ideas, develop a business model, build a product, and pitch to investors.
Path 2: IDEA (Innovation Development Entrepreneurship/Employment Alternative)
Develop the innovation, critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills that employers are looking for鈥攚ithout needing your own startup idea.
NESTS: Necessary Eleven Steps to Tech Startups
NESTS is a hybrid, three-credit experiential learning course that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, empowering students to build successful tech startups. Gain hands-on experience in building a tech startup, with individualized mentorship and the necessary frameworks for your startup ideas to launch
Through a blend of lectures, case studies, guest speaker sessions, and in-person and project-based learning, you鈥檒l learn to navigate the complexities of launching and managing a startup in today鈥檚 dynamic business environment. Topics covered include lean startup methodology, product development, patents, fundraising through venture capital and angel investors, customer acquisition, and more.
You don鈥檛 need a startup idea to benefit from this course. Whether you want to launch your own venture or become an innovator within an existing organization, NESTS will equip you with the entrepreneurial mindset and practical skills to succeed. Through STC鈥檚 strong connections with leading venture funds and industry partners, we can help you turn your idea into a startup鈥攐r connect you with employers looking for innovative talent.
Pitch Your Startup
NESTS culminates with FlyOff demo day, where students pitch their startups in person to industry judges, competing for tuition scholarships and referrals to startup incubators and other opportunities. Top student qualifiers also earn the right to compete in the annual New York Business Plan Competition for a shot at winning up to $100,000.
Student Testimonials
This is possibly the best course I’ve ever taken in my college career. Without NESTS, I would have never known how to bring my ideas to life. The support and mentorship from the instructors, along with lectures from successful industry professionals, have made starting a startup more approachable. I don’t think I would’ve had the confidence and knowledge to start my own company if it weren’t for this incredible program.
Alisha K., Founder of VitaPath
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into at first, but now I feel like I am in the right place, in the right hands, on creating my own tech startup! I was able to build connections and learn from everyone in NESTS. I also really appreciate having all these guest speakers coming to speak with us, teaching us valuable lessons along the way.
Meng M., Founder of NoPad
Meet the Instructors
Peter Goldsmith, M.B.A.
Director, Industry Relations
pgolds01@nyit.edu
Peter Goldsmith is the director of the 色界吧 Co-op program. He previously worked at CBS Records as director of A&R Operations under Clive Davis and then joined Grumman Data Systems, where he was director of operations from 1975 to 1995. During his tenure, he supported IT programs for NASA and other government sites. In 1995, he led Project Long Island and, in 1997, founded the Long Island Software and Technology Network (LISTnet), where he was elected chairman and president. Under his leadership, LISTnet grew to nearly 800 member companies with 50 corporate sponsors, promoting the region as a Technology Center of Excellence. In 2016, LISTnet established the Digital Ballpark, a co-working space in Plainview.
Goldsmith holds a B.B.A. from CCNY, an M.B.A. with honors from St. John鈥檚 University, and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. He has served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University, is on the Board of United Way, and has received several awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from Briarcliffe College and recognitions from the American Heart Association, Touro Law School, and Long Island Business Hall of Fame.