Smith Family Business Initiative Network
The Smith Family Business Initiative (SFBI) is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the network of owners, leaders, and alumni that work in, with or for a family business.
This network is intended to connect the network.
Our mission
It begins inside a trusted community built for connection. Members get the advice and products they need.
We are actively looking for companies and startups.
You connect.
They iterate. Real connections. Real business. Real feedback.
How it works
A connection point that runs alongside the Cornell Marketplace, not instead of it.
- No subscriptions. Per-transaction fees only.
- Cornell, SFBi, faculty and staff carry no operational burden and no institutional liability.
- For alumni — a direct line to the next generation of Cornell founders. Not just to mentor, but by buying and giving real feedback.
- Every transaction directly funds Cornell programs — including Smith Family Business Initiative.
- SupplyBistro is launching an open data program named after Nagesh Gavirneni, MBA Operations Faculty — giving Cornell faculty and students access to sanitized, repeatable supply chain data for research and learning.
- When startups outgrow Cornell, nothing changes. The Marketplace is powered by SupplyBistro — the same platform, the same system. They just keep selling — into distributors, retailers, and open markets.
Clients and startups
Who's selling right now.
Abstinence Spirits
Sophisticated and full of flavor, Abstinence Spirits has non-alcoholic white and dark spirits, bittersweet aperitifs, and ready-to-pour spritzes expertly crafted using sustainably sourced botanicals from the Cape Floral Kingdom, in Cape Town, South Africa.
ExploreStaccato Bakery
Founded by Saleem Ahmed, a Cornell MBA and former finance professional turned DJ and event producer. The name captures that mix of rhythm and flavor — cookies crafted with balance, intention, and love.
ExploreGrow The Earth
A pioneering farm-to-fork food company using regenerative practices, automation, and AI to produce fine food products in Croydon, NH. Grow The Earth believes good health starts with data-driven, clean farming.
ExploreYour Startup Here
Are you interested in what we have to offer? Reach out and join us — your startup will be shown on this page alongside the others.
Explore
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Explore SupplyBistro
Check out our website to see more of what we do. The Marketplace runs on SupplyBistro — a data, sales and operating platform.