Colgate Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Please join us on October 9, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Cornell Club in New York City for a panel discussion with Colgate alumni who have built thriving companies in cannabis cultivation and salad greens production. This will be an opportunity to listen to speakers including Ryan G. Smith ’13, Nick Kenner ’03, Viraj Puri ’03, and Lindsay Leopold ’12, who will discuss their stories of success in navigating this unique industry. Attendees will also have the chance to hear from Harshitha Talasila ’26 and learn about her new venture: SoilSoul. Refreshments will be provided. Click the link below to register.

What an amazing homecoming weekend! We kicked off with the Bernstein Hall Open House and Dedication on Friday, where we showcased our new office space and celebrated our student entrepreneurs. After the dedication, we hosted our incredible mentors for a dinner and happy hour. Saturday started our first Thought Into Action (TIA) Incubator Session. We opened with a welcome talk from our new Entrepreneur-in-Residence Reece Wilson, followed by an inspiring keynote speech from Chedy Hampson. His journey with entrepreneurship created motivation and excitement in our student entrepreneurs. Students had hands-on practice with a pitch session led by one of our mentors Kimberley Schafer, which offered a dynamic opportunity to refine their business ideas and hear from previous student ventures. The day wrapped up with breakout sessions, where students gained valuable feedback and insights from their mentors, sparking new directions and confidence for the months ahead. We want to extend a huge thank you to our mentors for making the trip to Colgate and for continuing to share your expertise and passion for entrepreneurship. Your support is invaluable to the growth of our students and their ventures, and we couldn’t be more grateful!

As we kick off a new academic year, we look back at a successful TIA Summer Accelerator with four exceptional ventures: NAMELESS, Newsreel, PLNT, and SoilSoul. We look forward to seeing where each team's journey goes from here! 👏

Are you interested in helping aspiring entrepreneurs? We’re looking for mentors with entrepreneurial experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for guiding students. Visit colgate.edu/TIAmentor, and read more below. TIA mentors play a critical role helping students and other members of the Colgate community create ventures and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Mentors provide advice and guidance, help mentees accelerate their skills development and the progress of their venture, and facilitate valuable networking connections. For mentors, their role provides an opportunity to give back to Colgate, to share their knowledge and experience, to stay connected to innovative ideas, to be part of the University ecosystem, and to grow their own network. Lead and Supporting Mentors will work with ventures on an ongoing basis and commit to coming to campus for a number of Saturday sessions, with virtual engagement in between.  Network Mentors are willing to respond to outreach from entrepreneurs and meet virtually. They will also have other opportunities to engage virtually. Visit colgate.edu/TIAmentor to learn more and sign up.

We're hiring! Looking for an exceptional Entrepreneur in Residence. Learn more and apply today: https://lnkd.in/evEz5e_s

Do you have the next big idea? Join today for fall '24: colgate.edu/TIA

Ventures from this year’s TIA Incubator shined at the TIA Entrepreneur Showcase. Relive the best moments in this three-minute recap.

This Saturday, 22 exceptional Colgate ventures will participate in the TIA Entrepreneur Showcase as part of Arts, Creativity, and Innovation Weekend, and five will take the stage in the pitch competition. Join us in-person or by livestream at https://lnkd.in/ePB42-bM. #ColgateEntrepreneurship

*Attention recent alumna/us (class of 2014–2023)* Are you working on a startup and would love a $10,000 non-dilutive grant, Colgate network connections, hands-on mentorship, a co-working space, room and board in Hamilton, N.Y., and more? Apply to the 2024 Summer Accelerator (June 10-July 27) before the deadline of Feb. 15! https://lnkd.in/eA3J_Zm5

Here's to another terrific #ThoughtIntoAction Weekend Colgate University in the books. Sincere thanks to the wonderful alumni mentors, faculty, and staff who shared their wisdom about Product Development and Prototyping, and contributed to a fun, enlightening, and inspiring experience. Michael Ellenbogen Kate Foster Lengyel Ben Ross Ahmad Khazaee Allison Zengilowski Yuni Baker-Saito (Sameshima) Darryl Nirenberg Sarah Stein Patrick Doyle Brian Horey #entrepreneurship #venturebuilding #lifeskills