Middlebury College Innovation Hub

#GoizuetaKudos to Adam King 09MBA, who’s taking his company, 1587 Sneakers, to the Shark Tank ABC stage! Catch him this Friday, October 18, at 8/7c on ABC. With a lifelong passion for sneakers, King turned his personal collection into a career. After 13 years working with various brands, both big and small, he launched 1587— the first Asian American-owned, designed, and inspired sneaker brand. Discover more about his journey: https://brnw.ch/21wNPxm #SharkTank #entrepreneurship

HERE WE GO! The Collaborative Changemaking Field Guide and Certificate for College & University Students Very excited to be launching this in earnest after some great lessons learned and insights from piloting this summer. Big shout out to our partners Ashoka, Ashoka U, and National Peace Corps Association. Check it out and apply here - https://lnkd.in/eBREQ-Cs. Some modifications/ edits since our soft launch in May. We've really simplified things. + The Field Guide is now a downloadable PDF instead of a separate book. You can download a sample on the website. + As you'll see on the website, we've created separate offerings for high school students (in the works), college & university students, and for professional development (post about this coming soon). + I've recorded a video explainer that you'll find on the website. + It should take about 15 hours to complete the requirements. Simply weave the work into existing volunteering, interning, school program etc. experience(s). + We've created a points system to help participants track progress. Thanks to Miami Dade College for sparking this idea. + We've included some foundational requirements in the second module. For example, participants are asked to choose and reflect on a #solutionsjournalism article from Solutions Journalism Network's amazing database. We want participants to familiarize themselves with all of the great resources available in this space. + Participants now capture their work in their "Collaborative Changemaking Portfolio" in Google Docs. This makes it portable. + Participants can choose if they want their LinkedIn certificate to be from AshokaU or National Peace Corps Association. + We've kept the investment at a hopefully very accessible $125 per participant. Special thanks to Paul Kessler Rogers, Quinn McKenna, Eidi Cruz-Valdivieso, Diana Wells, Eva (Evangelina) Sundgrenz, Dan Baker, James OMeara, Dr. Tadios Belay, Heather MacCleoud, PhD, Heather Neuwirth Lovejoy, Dana Anderson, Sarah Messner, Betsy Vegso, Caroline Bushnell for the wonderful #collaboration over these months. #certificate, #empathy, #changemaking, #collaboration, #empathy, #empowerment, #communityengagement, #professionaldevelopment, #socialentrepreneuership, #socialinnovation, #changemakers, #upskilling, #21stcenturyskills Collaborative Changemaking, Social Entrepreneur Corps

Networking & Outreach: Some Tips for Recent Grads In recent weeks, I've received an influx of messages from recent grads seeking advice on networking, job hunting, and cold outreach. These are challenging times, especially in competitive industries, and I’m always happy to offer guidance on how to make the process smoother. However, I’ve noticed a recurring issue: a lack of professionalism in how some people choose to reach out. Often, greetings are too casual, or it takes several messages to get to the point. While not deal-breakers, these habits can affect your chances of getting a response. Although I don’t consider myself an expert, I’ve had a solid success rate in receiving responses to my own outreach. Here are a few tips that could help improve your approach: 1. Do Your Research Before you send a message, take a few minutes to review the person’s LinkedIn profile or Google them. Knowing who you’re speaking to is key. 2. Start with a Professional Greeting A simple “Hi, my name is ____,” works well. Remember, you’re not peers, so avoid overly familiar greetings like “Hey girlie” or “What’s up?” This is also the time to introduce yourself, mention how you found them, and briefly explain why you're reaching out. 3. Be Clear & Concise When writing your main message, short is sweet, but clear is kind. Avoid vague questions—use this opportunity to show you’ve done your homework. If you’re asking about a role, don’t repeat what’s in the job description. Instead, ask questions that demonstrate insight. 4. Know What You’re Asking For What’s your goal? Do you want advice, a specific connection, or a referral for a role? Be clear about your intention and don't be afraid to ask. As a note, it's not a good idea to ask for a job outright, but you can reference your job search. I understand how tough the job market can be, everyone has been there at some point or another. Even the best-crafted message might not get a response. But by consistently putting your best foot forward, you'll improve your chances of success! Example message: Hi [Recipient’s Name], My name is Nia Robinson, and I’m a recent graduate looking for roles within the WNBA or similar organizations. I spoke with [Mutual Connection] last week, and they mentioned you’d be a great person to connect with given your role at [Company] and your industry experience. With the recent growth in investor interest and demand in the league, I hope my marketing degree, previous work (portfolio attached), and passion for the sport will help me stand out. Would you have time in the coming weeks to review my approach, share ways I can gain experience as I seek full-time employment, and offer any early-career advice? I understand your season just started, so if it’s better to reach out at a later time, I’m happy to follow up. Thanks so much for considering, and I appreciate your time! Nia -- Anyone feel free to agree, disagree, or add!

In 2019, I was one of 10 fortunate Middlebury College students (class of ‘21) selected for an Innovation Trek to Silicon Valley, organized by the amazing Ursula Olender, Ben Powers, and the team at Middlebury College Center for Careers and Internships. The trek connected us with alumni in the Bay Area and exposed us to exciting career opportunities in tech. During the trek, I was paired with Mariette Wharton (class of ‘91), who shares my passion for design thinking and social entrepreneurship. After sharing my experiences in Ethiopia and South Africa and learning about her inspiring work with NIMBLE Mindset, we knew we had to collaborate. Shortly after the trek, while attending Middlebury Language Schools (where I pledged to speak only French), Mariette and I planned our first design thinking workshop in Ethiopia—all in French to honor my pledge! Since then, we've expanded our impact with projects in Morocco, Kenya, and beyond, focusing on empowering women and girls. This week, I'm excited to return to Silicon Valley for NIMBLE’s Innovative Women in Business Gala, where we’ll be generating excitement for future initiatives. The event features networking (with premier Napa wine and buffet dinner) and 3 lightning panels with industry luminaries: Impact of AI and How Leadership Should Respond, featuring:  - Lorie Boyd, Chief People Officer at Turo - Beth Kanter, a legendary social enterprise leader and AI expert - Lucy Mangas, a Global VP at Hitachi Digital VC Funding + Alternatives for Women Founders, featuring: - Monique Maddy, ex-Apple micro payments expert who built a digital wallet platform in Mexico - VCs Tess Robinson and Maria Pienaar - Johanna Mahal of Opportunity International - Iris Sagi of FINCA International Product and Industry Disruption, featuring: - Courtney Presto, CEO of first crypto-based media platform - Michele Boal, CEO of innovative footwear company Kadima - Ashley Zehnder, CEO of Fauna Bio - Cynthia Leung, founder of a disruptive solar company If you're in the Bay Area, I’d love to see you there! Fellow Midd alums can use the code "MIDD" for a discounted ticket. Don’t miss this chance to connect, support innovative women, and create even greater impact! Event page: https://lnkd.in/g936yxRx Enjoy some throwback pictures from the trek and our workshops in Ethiopia and Morocco! #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #DesignThinking #Middlebury #WomenInBusiness #NIMBLE

These days, start-ups are crowdfunding for everything: products (https://lnkd.in/gy9xh7Gc 👀 ), equity, cash. Why? Well, for one, the current macroeconomic environment — with high interest rates & expensive ad spend - means that already underrepresented founders now have even less access to affordable capital than they did before. Add on the larger scale societal factors — division during an election year & the craving of real brand connection in the wake of private equity acquisitions — & it makes sense that companies are opening up to give their customers more of a window into the BTS & soul of their companies. One thing I think it's also worth crowdfunding for right now? Courage. Earlier this year, I was selected to be on The Pitch Season 11. While it was arguably the most successful pitch I've done to date, it was also the most nerve-wracking. While you might not have been able to hear it in my voice, there was a lot that happened behind the scenes: I puked before I got into my Uber, I spilled my coffee on my product in the car because I was shaking so badly, I downed 2+ bottles of water in a 2-min pitch because my mouth was so dry. In contract to big stage spiels or TEDxTalks, The Pitch is super intimate - just you across the table from some smart people who have spent their lives listening to thousands of pitches just like yours, with 120 seconds to state your case before being drilled for the rest of an hour. Oh, & all of it is recorded for eternity. To combat these dynamics, I thought about how I might be able to leverage crowdfunding in a new way: this time, for compliments. The night before my pitch, I put a call to action up on my personal Instagram story, asking anyone who had been a Gnara fan from afar or had a positive experience with our team or product, or any words of encouragement in general, to share them with me. The dozens of DMs, texts, & voice memos I woke up to were overwhelming. I heard about co-ed canoe trips saved by our GoFly Technology, learned of customers who had quietly bought up our pants in all 9 colors, & read messages from other young female founders who told me they decided to go for their dreams because they were inspired by our story. It was a lot easier to push through my pile of nerves & confidently share Gnara with the world, armed with new, very real use cases & motivating words from so many around me. It was also easier to accept that we wouldn't be the right investment for everyone, knowing we are the right fit for so many more. My takeaway? As a founder, don't forget to crowdfund for courage, too, alongside your cash and equity. And as an observer, don't forget to share the nice things you say about people behind their backs to their faces. Life is too short not to. You might make their day, and that day might happen to be one that changes the course of history for their company. #crowdfunding

So stoked to announce that we've broken a new Gnara company #crowdfunding record on Kickstarter: We've officially surpassed $55K in pre-orders for our new Go Free 7/8 Leggings & 6" Shorts with GoFly Technology! And, we've still got a whole week to go! You can still support and share the campaign at the link in the comments. I attribute a big part of this success to an incredible brand and product video by Jill Coats (and Ori Swiatkowski) of One Forty Films. She incorporated every one of my wild ideas, from a ~live stream~ complete with sound effects and graphics to every activity imaginable: mountain biking, trail running, yoga, pickleball, hiking, bouldering, etc. We filmed a lot of this in less-than-ideal wind and rain conditions on a tight timeline, and Jill even hopped in to model when we needed it. It's a near-perfect representation of everything we stand for as a brand: problem-solving, play, bravery, empowerment, curiosity, grit, integrity, versatility, vulnerability. If you haven't given it a watch yet, please do -- it was so special to film locally in the valley where we're headquartered way up in the Rocky Mountains, and to involve so many different people with so many different bodies and backgrounds. ⬇️ 📽️:

Coffee shops are my favorite third place. The idea of the “third place” as a social space outside of the home or the office is hugely important– and it’s no surprise that I think cafés are one of the most powerful third spaces. They tend to have a welcoming atmosphere that is suited for small group conversation, with a built-in activity that’s inexpensive and accessible. It was so exciting to partner with Livvi, a Boston-based startup founded by Anisha Quadir (a fellow Middlebury College alum) and Madeleine Cooney to harness the social power of a third space for one of their monthly events. Livvi is a new app building female friendship through small group matches of 5-8 compatible women matched by an algorithm that aims to nudge users to get plans out of the group chat and into reality. Their main focus is creating enduring matches, not just organizing one-off events, but larger meetups give Livvi members a chance to connect with other platform users outside of the smaller group women they’ve been connected with for the month with the guarantee that everyone at the event is open to friendship and looking to form deeper relationships. We brought together 20+ women last weekend for an afternoon of conversation, connection and amazing coffee and treats at Cannonball Cafe in South Boston. It was so special to see it all in action and to meet so many like-minded women, especially while supporting an independent, female founded and owned coffee shop that already has such a community focus. Collaborating with Rachel Lazar Cannonball’s owner and founder, was incredible– and kicking off on the first day of fall felt like such an optimistic start to a new season. Middlebury College Innovation Hub

Biggabed is hiring and we need your help! We're looking to hire a Chief Marketing Officer and Campus Directors, see below for more! We're looking for hard-working, entrepreneurial students who want the best all-around experience you can get as an undergrad student to bring Biggabed to their school. You make great money, have a ton of flexibility, get excellent experience, and have a good time. What else could you want in a college role? Campus Director application and description: https://lnkd.in/eGNM_WBD We are also looking for a Chief Marketing Officer! We need to bring someone in to spearhead and systemize our marketing efforts. CMO application and description: https://lnkd.in/eNs_B2ha

Are you a sophomore through super senior at #MiddleburyCollege looking to earn credit for a Winter Term internship? Join us for this informative session to learn about: >The Winter Term Internship for Credit process >Application timeline >FAQs >Possible funding support from CCI for qualifying internships Whether you're exploring an internship related to conflict transformation or seeking a Winter Term opportunity in another field, this session will guide you through the steps to secure credit and funding support. Can't attend? Schedule an appointment with Amy McGlashan or connect with any CCI advisor for personalized assistance. We look forward to seeing you there!