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Tom Golisano’s deep ties to the Buffalo area, which include his past ownership of the Buffalo Sabres and a recent $50 million gift to Oishei Children’s Hospital, made it a natural next step for the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship’s expansion.
The site, announced last week, adds to the one in Rochester, which opened in 2023 and recently had its first graduating class of 23 students from its two year business program. The institute’s programming is designed to offer an alternative approach to business school, a realm which Tom Golisano, the founder of Paychex and the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, sees as outdated in its current form.
“Over the last two years, it’s been inspiring to watch our students in Rochester grow and gain economic opportunities,” Golisano said at the announcement. “Buffalo is a city with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and by expanding here, we’re not only opening doors for more students but also helping regional businesses gain the skilled, motivated talent they need to thrive. If we further the business energy and opportunities across the entirety of Western New York, students and businesses will grow economic wealth.”
“With our first class graduating this past August, we have evidence that the institute’s approach yields business career success, and we’re excited to bring that same opportunity to students in Buffalo and across Western New York,” added Ian Mortimer, president of Golisano Institute.
The campus center will be located in the former Buffalo News office building and is expected to welcome its first students in fall 2026. Just like the Rochester location, tuition will cost $8,900 a year.
This sum covers books and technology but not room and board. Roberts Wesleyan University and the downtown Innovation Square are listed as housing options on the Rochester location. For comparison, one year of in-state tuition for Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport is about $5,700 and $8,200, respectively. Tuition at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School is $55,000 while at the Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology, it is $59,000.
Also similar to the Rochester location, the Buffalo site will serve as a hub for both students and nearby businesses. For example, the weekly “Speaking from Experience” series will continue in the Buffalo location bringing business leaders in to provide insights from their journey. Past speakers have included Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and founder of Skybridge Capital; Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow foundation and former NFL quarterback; Peter Jemison, founder of the Ganondagan State Historic Site; Mark Murphy, CEO of Greenlight Networks; Martin Mucci, former CEO of Paychex; and Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza.
The Golisano Institute’s one-year advanced certificate in AI and business will also be offered at the Buffalo location. It represents a push by the school to develop artificial intelligence skills for students and a bet on the emerging industry.
Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres,made a commitment at the announcement to endow 10 scholarships for the Golisano Institute.
“It fits into what I believe. I think our country needs more people like the people this institute will be preparing,” Pegula said.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also voiced his support for the istitute’s new location.
“Erie County is excited to welcome Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship to Buffalo,” he said. “Not only will this support our growing business and entrepreneur economy, but it will also provide an innovative educational opportunity for students of all kinds. Plus, Golisano Institute will bring additional vibrancy and activity into downtown Buffalo.”
Applications for fall 2026 are now being accepted for the Buffalo location. Students from all educational backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply. Applications for Rochester location’s spring 2026 semester are accepted until Feb. 25, 2026.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist.
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Golisano gets it! I wish he would step up and provide some guidance for our K-12 education. But I think that even he,…. even he…. thinks that the RCSD/RCSB is a lost cause. A hopeless mess.