Posts

Startups - Pitch - Compete - Scale - the Importance of Funding

January 11, 2022

Many businesses start with a great idea, innovative thinking, and a passionate entrepreneurial spirit - but it takes more than that to make a startup work. It takes funding.

Funding helps startups scale, gain access to better talent and resources, and grow to the point where they can begin to attract venture capital as well as more knowledgeable investors. Programs like the Drexel Startups Fund help young entrepreneurs by not only giving them access to funding but provide other important benefits such as mentoring, incubator space, and introductions to angel and venture capital funding from the university’s alumni network.

Fresh Perspectives Entrepreneurs on the Front Line

December 10, 2021

Coming up with solutions to challenging problems is something people often associate with entrepreneurship. Working in the medical industry requires workers to be leaders, innovative problem solvers, and passionate about their work… all qualities that successful entrepreneurs also possess. While nurses and medical professionals may not come to mind as innovators, they are constantly developing new solutions to problems faced in the medical industry. As a medical professional it’s important to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and gain an understanding of the business world in order to effectively impact change within their field.

7 Ways to Increase your Holiday Sales

December 02, 2021

The holiday season is one of the busiest shopping times of the year, and this means it’s also one of the most profitable times for businesses. During the 2020 holiday season consumers spent just over $777 billion dollars between Black Friday and Christmas. This is why it’s super important to be prepared for the holiday shopping season; doing things like planning promotions, staying on top of data and analytics, and optimizing your business online are crucial steps you can take to stand out from your competition and dominate the holiday season. The Nation Retail Federation even predicts sales to reach up to $859 billion this year! Take a look at the infographic below to learn how to separate yourself from the competition and maximize profits this holiday season.

Innovation and Resilience - Startup Fest 2021

November 12, 2021

This year’s Startup Fest was a true testament to the innovation and resilience of an entrepreneur. Startup Fest 2021 was hosted as a hybrid event that allowed people to come together in person and online, with a good crowd at both, Startup Fest was a success! The event brought together students, alumni, staff, and people from the entrepreneurial community for two days filled with insightful speakers, networking, games, and the Baiada Incubator Competition, Drexels biggest entrepreneurial competition of the year. With a focus on sustainability, there were so many great discussions for entrepreneurs to learn how to be more environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. With $25,000 up for grabs, and some amazing startup ideas, Startup Fest 2021 was one for the books!

Five Tips To Make Your Business Stand Out

October 13, 2021

Starting a new business is a challenge in itself, but finding ways to separate your business from the crowd is equally as important as getting started. With so many entrepreneurs working to get their business off the ground and their foot in the door, standing out is a necessity. There are multiple factors that go into creating a startup that stands out, including innovative thinking, defining an audience, and creating a memorable & likable brand for them to engage with. According to Salesforce Research, 89% of consumers are more likely to make another purchase after a positive customer service experience. Finding a place to learn and grow as an entrepreneur has never been easier with the opportunities and the experiences that the Close School of Entrepreneurship has to offer such as Startup Fest. Take a look at the infographic below and learn how your business can stand out from the crowd!

Why You Should Have A Mentor

September 20, 2021

As Benjamin Franklin said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." The importance of a mentor should not be overlooked, a great mentor can provide valuable personal insights, feedback, and a professional perspective as someone who has already had a plethora of experience over their career. A mentor can help accelerate learning, open students to a network well beyond their own, and provide guidance backed by valuable insight and experience. It's no wonder that 71% of Fortune 500 companies have a mentoring program and 97% of those with a mentor have found their experience valuable. The problem is, only 37% of professionals have even had a mentor! With the MentorHub program at Drexel, students have the opportunity to learn from alumni and friends of the Drexel community, who want to help them grow in their own careers!

Checking In With Sporttrade

August 30, 2021

Meet Alex Kane, a Drexel Alumnus whose startup, Sporttrade, just closed a round of funding where they raised $36 million from a handful of investors. Sporttrade is an app that will change the way you think about sports betting, it’s the first dynamic sports betting and trading platform where users can trade sports bets just like stocks.

A Fireside Chat with Gopuff | Close School of Entrepreneurship | Drexel University

August 20, 2021

Drexel alumni and Co-Founders of goPuff, Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev Drexel class of ‘15, were able to dive deep into their entrepreneurial journey during their fireside chat with Drexel University’s host, the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, on December 3rd. They discussed the unique values instilled in them by their first-generation American backgrounds, the story behind goPuff, the challenges they faced as startup co-founders, and their goals for the company’s future.

How to Validate a Startup Idea

June 22, 2021

Validating a startup is an extremely important step to take before diving headfirst into a new idea. Many times, people think they have a great idea and end up spending months of their time developing a product or business that isn’t viable or doesn’t solve an existing problem. There are many great ideas but validating them is a crucial step when creating a new business. Validating an idea proves that your business solves a problem, can fill a need and can be marketed to consumers. At the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, students have a plethora of opportunities to learn from mentors and professors who have started their own businesses as well as participate in competitions such as Startup Fest where they have the opportunity to present and validate their ideas in front of real audiences. Learn the steps to validating a new startup idea below!

Innovation from the Inside

June 04, 2021

Corporate entrepreneurship, which can also be referred to as intrapreneurship, is the approach of encouraging employees to think and behave like entrepreneurs within the structure of a pre existing organization. These types of employees can become major assets and are encouraged to speak up and develop new ideas, identify new opportunities, and find unique ways to bring innovation to already existing businesses. At the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, students are always encouraged to think outside the box and bring creative solutions to develop innovative ideas in and out of the classroom. With courses like Organizational Development and Change for Corporate Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship & New Technologies, Innovation in Established Companies, and so much more, students have the opportunity to learn from both corporate entrepreneurs and all types of entrepreneurs who share their successes, failures, and important lessons with the next generation of entrepreneurs.

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