The NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and The Sigmund Project, a free open-source platform for global innovators in travel & tourism, have revealed a new collaboration.
This alliance, one of several in which the Tisch Center is engaging to bring the latest innovation and technology to its students and future leaders of industry, also signals a major step in advancing The Sigmund Project as an instrumental conduit between the academic community and the global tourism industry. In the spirit of this collaboration, these two entities will work together through their networks and programs to foster entrepreneurship and creative solutions for the global tourism industry.
Commenting on the announcement, Nicolas Graf, associate dean, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, said, “We see great merit in The Sigmund Project’s business model and goals, and feel confident we can work together to bring greater innovation to the global tourism industry. Fueled by the Tisch Center’s world-class hospitality program, we look forward to seeing what innovative ideas are presented on Sigmund’s open-source platform by our students and by the hospitality industry community at large.”
“This association with the Tisch Center is a major step forward for The Sigmund Project, to increase our reach and promote our mission of advancing the global tourism industry,” said Sigmund Founder Alan Elliott Merschen. “We are encouraged to see the traction Sigmund has established within the academic community. On a personal note, I began my career in academia and am happy to be returning to the world of education now through this venture.”
The Tisch Center recently launched its Hospitality Innovation Hub, which is home to a three-month Incubator Program. It will work together with The Sigmund Project to promote this opportunity designed for early-stage start-ups in the hospitality, travel or event space. Start-ups that are selected for the Incubator Program will be invited to use the Hub’s coworking space (pictured above), consult with a wide variety of faculty and industry mentors including Sigmund’s roster of tourism professionals, and compete for cash prizes ranging from $5,000-$10,000 in addition to potential Sigmund Investment Grants. The program will be open to all NYU students.
