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Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 15 -- Fostering entrepreneurship: Virginia Tech's Entrepreneurship conference gave students and alumnus the opportunity to observe business pitches. Photo: Samantha Hill
Virginia Tech develops students through Entrepreneurship Conference
Virginia Tech’s first Entrepreneurship Conference gave students the opportunity to develop ideas and engage with successful alumnus.
By Samantha Hill
Virginia Tech invited students and alumnus to attend its first Entrepreneurship Conference on Nov. 14 and 15.
When the two-day conference began, students and alumnus mingled at a reception. At 8 p.m., speakers, like President Sands, talked about the event and Virginia Tech’s plans for the future.
Students, like Tabitha McHale, asked entrepreneurs about their experiences. McHale, a junior accounting and finance major, says starting a new business poses many challenges.
“Once you get the ball rolling, then you’re good, but I think figuring out ‘do you want to do a manufacturer or licensing’ or all those different things, those decisions that are nerve-wracking,” McHale says. “It helps to see their point of view.”
New businesses also benefited from this conference. Companies like Riff, a music-sharing app similar to Snapchat. Drew Meeks, co-founder of the app, says their goal for events like this is exposure.
“We’re just trying to fine-tune our product right now, so we go to events like this to start creating a bit of a stir and getting a little bit of exposure so that when we do have a full release, we at least know we’ll have a bit of traction already established with people and the investment community,” Meeks says.
On the second day of the conference, event organizers put together multiple pitch sessions and panel discussions.
During the eight panel discussions, successful entrepreneurs would discuss assigned topics like “taking the entrepreneurial plunge” and “the impact of people.” Students and alumnus absorbed information that could be used in their own business ventures.
Companies like Card Isle and Riff pitched their companies to a panel of judges during the pitch session. After the judges deliberated, one of the groups received a $2,500 prize.
Throughout the entire conference, students, alumnus and faculty all learned something new and developed ideas.
VT Knowledge Works is an organization that fosters creative entrepreneurship worldwide. With its headquarters in the Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Va., the organization helps people plan, launch and grow their own businesses.
Their website lists over 80 different organizations as members, including Koofers. The organization has numerous events throughout the year. They offer chats on entrepreneurship and challenges for those who present their brilliant ideas. Recently, they sponsored Virginia Tech’s first Entrepreneurship Conference.
To learn more, visit their website at http://www.vtknowledgeworks.com.
VT Knowledge Works helps entrepreneurs
Screenshot: Vtknowledgeworks.com
