Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship has announced that it is partnering with RocketCup Coffee to establish a café that will be open to the Institute’s students, staff, and patrons from local businesses.
The RocketCup Café – located in the lobby of the campus center on the new Buffalo campus – will be operated by business students at the Institute. A custom blend of coffee has been created exclusively for Golisano Institute, which will be made available for purchase in branded bags with the Institute’s logo.
RocketCup Coffee was founded in 2022 out of the SBU Entrepreneurship Center at St. Bonaventure University.
“This coffee shop gives our students a real business to run, not just a classroom exercise,” said Jim Dentinger, Executive Vice President and Buffalo Regional Director, Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship. “From managing the finances to hiring and overseeing their own team, these students will gain practical experience that reflects our approach to teaching entrepreneurship. Partnering with a Western New York company like RocketCup Coffee makes the opportunity even more meaningful.”
RocketCup – founded in 2022 out of the SBU Entrepreneurship Center at St. Bonaventure University – is headquartered in Cattaraugus, where it roasts its own specialty coffee. It is known for sourcing and roasting only the top 5% of Arabica beans from around the world. Aside from Cattaraugus, there a second café in Olean. The company also wholesales its blends nationwide, many of which are custom made for its clients, such as the Golisano Institute. Licenced blend clients include offices, cafés, businesses, and colleges.
“RocketCup Coffee started as a small business venture on a college campus, so helping the next generation of entrepreneurs learn the business firsthand is something we care deeply about. Partnering with the Golisano Institute made perfect sense,” said Tom Cullen, co-founder and CEO, RocketCup Coffee. “We are proud to bring our specialty coffee to downtown Buffalo and to be part of its revitalization.”
Golisano Institute’s Buffalo campus center will be opening in the former Buffalo News building on Washington Street. The first cohort of students will arrive in September. Similar to the Institute’s flagship location in Rochester, which opened in 2023, the Buffalo campus will serve to “empower future entrepreneurs with the skills, experience, and connections needed to enter the world of business with confidence.”
Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Golisano, the Institute will offer a two-year professional certificate in Business & Entrepreneurship and one-year Advanced Certificate in AI & Business. There is a tuition of $8,900 per year.
Enrollment for fall 2026 in Buffalo is open now. To apply, schedule a visit, or learn more about upcoming open houses, visit golisanoinstitute.org/buffalo.
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