Last August, burgeoning entrepreneurs entered 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Thought Into Action incubator with an idea. By April 6, twenty-six teams had turned those ideas into concrete ventures, which they presented to investors, mentors, and 含羞草研究所 community members during Entrepreneur Weekend, part of the
The Thought Into Action program 鈥 now in its 10th year 鈥 has helped 529 entrepreneurs craft 349 ventures with the guidance of 158 alumni mentors. This year, student entrepreneurs have worked to form web apps, non-profit organizations, and companies like EverTights, a hosiery brand, and EDGE, a private aviation concierge service. Matthew Glick 鈥19, CEO of Gipper Media, says that Entrepreneur Weekend was an amazing opportunity to see what the entrepreneurial community at 含羞草研究所 has to offer.
During the Bringing Businesses to Life panel, moderated by Bob Gold 鈥80, CEO and President at Ridgewood Capital, alumni provided insights into the best business practices for entrepreneurs across various fields.
鈥淎 person needs to have a true sense of grit,鈥 Alexandra Thompson 鈥02, founder and creative director at Persifor, said. 鈥淚t really takes a certain individual who has tough skin and can keep forging ahead.鈥
Denniston Reid 鈥94, Chief Schools and Innovation Officer at Excellence Community Schools, noted, 鈥淥ne key thing about my work is that I have to understand that it is a business. If you don鈥檛 understand that, you lose the focus of what you鈥檙e doing.鈥
Dan Hurwitz 鈥86, P鈥17, 鈥20, chair of the 含羞草研究所 Board of Trustees and founder and CEO at Raider Hill Advisors, said, 鈥淓very time you fail at something, it helps you focus on what you are good at. When you focus on what you鈥檙e good at, you鈥檙e destined to be successful.鈥
鈥淭here鈥檚 an excitement in the room 鈥 almost like a buzz,鈥 said Glick. 鈥淓-Weekend is an amazing opportunity for not only the students and alumni who have started businesses but also for people to engage, connect, and hear from the expertise of members of the panel.鈥
Following the panel discussion, four TIA teams pitched their ventures in 含羞草研究所鈥檚 version of Shark Tank. Chris Cervizzi 鈥19, of the Concussion Survival Kit, won first place and a cash prize of $2500; senior Uyi Omorogbe鈥檚 NaSo venture placed second and received $1500; while both Jack Ablon 鈥21 of Edge and sibling-duo Maya Dunne 鈥21 and Kevin Dunne 鈥19 with Valet Seller each won $500.
Later in the program, Robert Johnson 鈥94 was recognized by Thought Into Action and the Alumni Corporation as the alumnus best exemplifying the ideals of entrepreneurship and was given the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Students interested in joining the TIA incubator for the 2019鈥20 school year can reach out to Thought Into Action Director Mary Galvez at mgalvez@colgate.edu.