February 13, 2020

On Thursday, January 30th, The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship hosted the first annual Entrepreneurship Alumni Network Kickoff Tour Reception following the Proving Ground Popup event. Alumni from across the university with interests in entrepreneurship and innovation joined us to celebrate the occasion and welcome the new Entrepreneurship Alumni Affinity Group. 

Starting at 2 p.m., over 15 student and alumni run companies displayed their products/services to gather business feedback, have students test their products, and even look for mentors, mentees, and interns at our quarterly Proving Ground Popup event. 

“Proving Ground gives me the opportunity to show my products to an audience who otherwise I wouldn't have gotten the chance to show to." 

-Liz B of URBANish

Founding Dean, Donna De Carolis introduced the next event of the evening, the first annual Entrepreneurship Alumni Network Kickoff Tour Reception. Over 60 alumni registered and attended the event in the lobby of the Pearlstein Business Learning Center. Attendees enjoyed food and drinks while networking with each other and representatives from the over 15 student/alumni run companies. 

Bob Knorr, Close School advisory board member and CEO of Alma Matters, concluded the night by presenting awards for the Charles D. Close School Fund Run - a fundraising competition between student-run businesses in the Baiada Institute. VyB, Just Be Books, We Wager and WhyFit were all winners and were awarded for their fundraising efforts.