Concepts turn into companies

MBA student Ben Hart grew up surrounded by poverty and housing insecurity. He started his business, Hart Homes, as a way to integrate his social mission of mitigating urban poverty with his for-profit enterprise.

To “scale up” his business, Hart participated in RIT’s Summer Accelerator program through the Simone Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, won the People’s Choice award in the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship’s ROC the Pitch competition, and enrolled in certificate courses and classes aimed at sharpening his strategy. He also founded RIT’s Real Estate Club.

“By working on the business, instead of just in the business, I have leveled up my decision making,” said Hart, whose real estate investment company focuses on the revitalization of urban Rochester with a commitment to fair housing, sustainable growth, environmentally friendly property improvement, and high-value housing at affordable rent.

“I’m well on my way to greater personal financial rewards and, just as importantly, greater community and social impact. I find that professors are open to real-life applications of the material they’re teaching. RIT wants it to be real, practical, and meaningful. It’s embedded into the culture.”

With more than 2,500 students exploring entrepreneurship in some way each year, the university is committed to establishing RIT as a world-recognized leader in the field.

“With a dedication to commercialization, RIT is creating value for students, faculty and staff, alumni, startups, and the broader business community by becoming a hub for entrepreneurial activities through providing resources, mentorship, an accelerator, and other invaluable support for entrepreneurs,” said Ryne Raffaelle, vice president for Research and associate provost. “It’s exciting to see how far we can go.”

Hart is relishing his entrepreneurial journey so far and is looking forward to reaping the rewards as his business grows.

“The universe rewards those who show up,” he said. “I sign up for that speaker series. I go to the lecture. I join the club. I get involved. I connect with my classmates. Not everything feels important in the moment, but when I look back, I know that I will be glad I did it and I’m certain that my business—and my social consciousness—will thrive as a result.”