Syracuse University’s Whitman School
Building The Next Generation Of Startup Investors At Syracuse University’s Whitman School
The Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University is turning up the heat on experiential learning with the launch of their brand new program that allows students to tap into the startup investment world, the Orange Business Angel Network (OBAN).
Launching this spring, around 15 of Whitman’s standout students will step directly into the deal-making arena through OBAN and evaluate real startups, organize pitch events, and connect founders with accredited angel investors. These students will get to experience the real deal of startup investing inside a rigorous three‑credit course.
What makes OBAN unique is how truly student‑centered it is. More than 40 universities run angel investment programs, but Whitman’s model is all about placing students at the heart of the due diligence process. They’ll be the ones digging into market research, analyzing financials and shaping the deal flow that angels rely on to make investment decisions. This program’s hands-on approach is part of what helped Whitman land the No. 11 national ranking for undergraduate entrepreneurship in The Princeton Review’s 2026 list.
THE OBAN EXPERIENCE
OBAN is centered around three groups: students, accredited angel investors, and Syracuse‑affiliated entrepreneurs.
“Students aren’t just observing the investment process within OBAN. They’re essential to it,” says Erin Draper, director of experiential programs at Whitman.
Under the guidance of Professor Jeffrey Gish, expert in both angel investing and entrepreneurship education, students learn the fundamentals of early‑stage investing by doing the work the professionals typically do. Meanwhile, the angels, many of whom are accomplished Syracuse alumni, will mentor students and founders while making their own independent investment decisions. Entrepreneurs with meaningful University ties can apply to pitch ventures valued under $10 million and seeking seed‑stage funding.
“OBAN represents the next evolution in entrepreneurship and experiential education at Whitman,” says Dean Alex McKelvie. He adds that he sees the program as a catalyst for strengthening Whitman’s rise toward becoming a top 25 business school.
Applications are now open for all three groups participating in OBAN’s inaugural spring 2026 launch. Upper‑level undergraduates and graduate students with foundational entrepreneurship coursework can apply for the selective student cohort, and investors with Syracuse connections are invited to join as founding angels.
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