Purdue Innovates’ Post

Our goal for this series was not just another pitch competition, but to equip founders with the essential tools needed for pitching, a fundamental aspect of the founder journey. 🚀 We enjoyed connecting with every one who attended, and we truly believe everyone is capable of crafting a winning pitch. This is exactly why organizations like ours exist—to support founders with free resources and education on their journey. A special shoutout to our pitch competition winners – yes, there are two, because their pitches were just that phenomenal! Congrats Jessie Ma, Werkflow and Luciano C. Oviedo, LearnHaus. 👏 They have each earned a spot in the Startup World Cup Regionals and will go on to compete for a spot at the Global Grand Finale, with $1M prize! Additionally, two more finalists from this series were chosen for the Regional Competition based on their impressive applications: Dayoon Yoon, MBA,Heavenly and Hamilton Perkins, Hamilton Perkins Collection. Amazing work! 👏 Lastly, a huge thank you to our partners HumanBulb for collaborating with us on this pitch series. Their startup OC/LA Regional Competition takes place later today at UC Irvine and is a great opportunity to network with other ecosystem players while witnessing 10 incredible founders competing live, in front of investors, to become the Startup World Cup OC/LA Regional Winner and advance to the Global Grand Finale to compete for $1 million! You can still RSVP for the event happening later today: https://lnkd.in/g7yrGJKS #Pitching #Entrepreneurship #Founder #PitchCompetition

Front Row Ventures $50k Prize Pitch Competition is back at Startupfest this year! Last year, Vega BioImaging Technologies Inc. took home the prize, and we can't wait to see who will shine this year. Here's how it works: 🔹 Phase 1: Qualification Pitches When: Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Thursday from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Where: Our tent at Startupfest. Format: 2-minute pitch + 3-minute Q&A. No visual aids or slides, just your brilliant idea! 🔹 Phase 2: Final Round When: Friday for shortlisted companies. Format: 5-10 minute pitch + Q&A. Judges will have access to your pitch deck slides on their devices. Interested in participating? Complete the pre-registration form here: https://lnkd.in/eqEmrmmQ Eligibility: At least one co-founder must be currently enrolled at a Canadian university or have graduated no longer than 6 months ago. 🎟️ Startupfest Tickets: Students can access an exclusive 50% off ticket pricing through this link: https://lnkd.in/eDRWNPjC Join us in supporting the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. See you at Startupfest! #Startupfest #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #VentureCapital #StudentStartups #FRV #PitchCompetition #Investment

⚡ Founders and entrepreneurs have this electric energy about them. It's an aura of excitement, joy, fear, courage, adrenaline, self-doubt, and a wild sense of adventure, happening all at once, wrapped up in a seemingly put-together human being. A human who is at any given time either a) dancing on the moon, b) praying for answers, or c) enjoying the elusive in-between state where taking a day off is possible. 😉 When you're around people who embody this spirit of possibility the energy is contagious. I had the pleasure of joining UConn's Connecticut Center For Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) Summer Fellowship for a fireside-style chat this week to share some of my journey with their cohort of startups and founders, all filled with that feeling of budding possibility. But energy is just the spark. What do we need to make the ideas come to life? My answer to this question is always delusional optimism. In other words, you need enduring grit, unwavering belief in your cause, and a dash of blind faith that the plan will come together. Couple these with hard work and my goodness, you've got a winner. What do you think? What does it take to be a successful founder, leader, or builder of new things?? 🤔 Thanks, Alycia Chrosniak for the invitation. For more info on UConn CCEI, check out their website: https://ccei.uconn.edu/ #innovation #entrepreneurship #startup #founder #uconn

On the 24th of August, the 2nd edition of the Bonfire Festival set the flames of innovation alight. With the support of University of Queensland Innovation and Entrepreneurship Society (UQIES) and Stefi Stan , I directed the largest university-focused startup conference in Australia. 🔥 170+ tickets sold 📢 40+ speakers 🌎 1 day of serious impact Two quotes that became my mantra over the last 9 months of preparation. 1. "It takes a village to build an entrepreneur." In order to support innovation and continue to water its seeds, we need to pass down generational knowledge, sharing the lessons from failure and stories of success. It is a collaborative effort, where you will find the most development from the insights of someone on a completely different path to you. 2. "You have to bet on a horse." If you are going to do something, you must give it your all. To truly create impact, you will have to be willing to risk more than most will. A massive thank you to my co-collaborator and friend Stefi. The calibre of impact we were able to bring to the Queensland ecosystem would not have been possible without her. When our two visions became one, we were able create something truly special. Speaker shoutouts in the comments

tis the season of conferences and speaking gigs. Excited to meet new organizers at VentureWell supporting entrepreneurs and founders. The access to financial and social capital helps students and Entreprenership Skills Programming for Academic Institutions across the country. #bethenode #entrepreneureducation #entrepreneur #ecosystembuilding #founders #MakeStartups, #venturecaptial #entrepreneurship

It's never too soon to gain the skills that will shape your future. 💫 Our partner Main Street Ventures knows just how important early exposure is to entrepreneurship. They recently brought the Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy to the 1819 Innovation Hub, creating an immersive experience for high school students. This program nurtures young minds and inspires them to make a lasting difference in the world. 🌎 Check out the full article to see how the next generation of entrepreneurs is emerging from the 1819 Innovation Hub: https://bit.ly/3LUFSga #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #nextgen #ventures #innovation #1819innovationhub

🎉 Celebrating the Graduation of the Founder Institute San Francisco Fall 2023 Cohort! 🎓 As we wrap up an incredible journey with the Founder Institute San Francisco Fall 2023 Cohort, it's hard not to feel both proud and excited about what lies ahead. This diverse group of entrepreneurs has shown remarkable dedication, innovation, and resilience, embodying the spirit of what it means to be a startup founder. Throughout this program, our founders have tackled challenges head-on, learned from each other, and pivoted with grace under pressure. They've turned ideas into prototypes, prototypes into products, and products into companies with the potential to change the world. A huge shoutout to our mentors, who have been the backbone of this cohort's journey, providing invaluable insights, guidance, and support every step of the way. Your willingness to share your expertise and experiences has been crucial to our founders' growth and success. To our graduates, as you step into the next chapter of your entrepreneurial journey, remember that this is just the beginning. The skills you've honed, the relationships you've built, and the challenges you've overcome have prepared you for the exciting road ahead. The Founder Institute network is always here to support you as you continue to grow and impact the world with your innovations. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gSW2xkTf #FISF #FounderInstitute #Startups #Innovation #Graduation #entrepreneurshipeducation Jeni Chang Pete Biggam Torrey Smith Abdoulaye Djire Ari Michael Pierre Gustavo A. Roche Yuan Huang Darrin W. Eli Halpern John Reilly Paul Breslow Harri Emari, PMP, CQM, CM-BIM Nab MANSOURI Ashish Kumar Arno Sama Filip Todd Lazarevski

The journey of NIYOU, a startup born from within an Entrepreneurship class at Creighton University's Heider College of Business, exemplifies innovation and collaboration. Two students, who had never worked together, joined forces due to their complementary skills. Just one year after their initial 60-day startup sprint, they had the chance to showcase their venture at the Big East startup competition. A special shoutout to Lance Frazier for encouraging them to participate. Their entry video is nothing short of remarkable—I'm confident they're on the path to victory. The team's early members, Valery Shafack and Matthew Mandolfo, set a high bar, which was only raised with the strategic addition of Samuel Perkinson. This is a call to local businesses: supporting NIYOU means not just backing Creighton student athletes, but also enhancing your brand. NIYOU is at the forefront of fostering meaningful partnerships between local enterprises and our student athletes. Watch the video, feel the energy, and consider how you can be part of this inspiring journey. #CreightonInnovation #StudentEntrepreneurs #NIYOUJourney #OmahaBusinessSupport #HeiderBusiness #LocalPartnerships #FutureLeaders #CommunityCollaboration #InnovateOmaha

I'm gonna throw my money at Launch Blue on April 18 for #OneDayforUK. Dr. Robert Cialdini tells me that this post serves as social proof, which should encourage you to open your wallet as well. Here's why: 1.) Reciprocation: Launch Blue has consistently supported the entrepreneurship community in Central KY for nearly 5 years. We're already indebted to them. 2.) Consistency: You've been vocally supporting the efforts of folks like Laura Russell-Halligan, Eric Hartman, Kenzie Dickens, and Erin Shea. Money talks even louder. 3.) Liking: Ain't nobody who likes entrepreneurs and startup founders more than Launch Blue. How does it feel knowing an entire team wakes up everyday to platform you and the rest of the entrepreneurial community? 4.) Authority: I'm on the board. I've been an advisor-in-residence. I've seen what this team has accomplished from day one. (Including a FABULOUS, award-winning brand identity design.) You can trust the source. 5.) Scarcity: #OneDayforUK lasts only 24 hours on April 18th. That's literally 0.3% percent of 2024. You're gonna let this opportunity pass you by? 6.) Unity: Y'all It's UK. It's Lexington. It's Kentucky. It's "us" out here doing right by people who have the potential — and need the support — to scale their ideas into something with impact beyond the Bluegrass. And if you don't feel like giving cash... comment, like, and share the shit out of this post so other successful entrepreneurs can fill these coffers past the brim for the next generation of innovators.

For startups and entrepreneurs in Austin check out the Austin Startup Ecosystem Tradeshow!!