June 30, 2014

In true entrepreneurial fashion, when it came time for the Close School to launch a new website for the Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship, it looked to the lean startup model for inspiration.

The Close School partnered with one of Baiada’s own incubating companies, 215 Marketing, to design a unique Web experience tailored specifically for Drexel’s vibrant entrepreneurship community. While 215 led the design effort, the Close School received full support from Drexel University’s Office of Communications and Department of Information Resources and Technology.

"The website project was a very collaborative and inclusive effort," says Charles Sacco, interim director of the Baiada Institute. "It’s a great thing to be able to leverage the skills of our student entrepreneurs, and this new site demonstrates just one of a number of very talented teams that Baiada is helping to develop."

Through this collaboration, the Close School was able to tap into the perspective of Baiada entrepreneurs, allowing their experience with the Institute to help guide the process and create an online portal aimed at translating what Baiada does best into a responsive website. The site is positioned to serve as a hub for entrepreneurship resources and services for all Drexel students.

The site’s homepage includes a custom feature that allows users to find information specific to their stage in the entrepreneurship process — from ideation to full-fledged company incubation. It is also home to profiles of the companies currently incubating in the Baiada Institute, as well as useful details about all the services that the Baiada Institute offers.

Users are also able to contact the Baiada Institute with specific questions and to schedule a meeting with a mentor.

The Close School worked with 215 Marketing co-founders Garrett Gillin and Jon Vogel, who each earned their MBA from Drexel’s LeBow College of Business, to design and launch the new site.

“When we were given the opportunity to design the new Baiada website, we were both honored and excited to be able to make a resource for student entrepreneurs looking for help and guidance,” says Gillin. “As an incubated company ourselves, we had first hand experience with what Baiada has to offer as well as all of the great companies it's helping to succeed. This site will enable and empower student entrepreneurs to leverage Drexel resources and make their ideas a reality.”