Entrepreneurial Leadership Council

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Economic Development Entrepreneurial Event this past weekend a tremendous success! From our incredible presenter and panelists—including representatives from Ben Franklin Tech Partners, Innovate Pittsburgh, Forward Lawrence, Colliers International, Mon Valley, and various regional leaders—to the students, educators, and professionals who brought their energy, curiosity, and passion, this event truly captured the spirit of collaboration and innovation. Special thanks to W&J College and everyone at Ignite Business Incubator and Coworking Space for hosting us in the stunning Rossin Ballroom, and to John Denny for moderating an insightful panel discussion that highlighted how innovation can drive economic growth. The breakout sessions were full of lively discussions and valuable takeaways, and we’re grateful to all the facilitators who helped make them so engaging. Bringing together students, industry leaders, and members of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Council (ELC) is always exciting. Events like these remind us of the powerful role entrepreneurship plays in shaping our communities and our future. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation and building on the connections made at this event. Thank you all for your participation and enthusiasm—together, we’re driving meaningful change!

?? Shoutout to Marietta College for hosting the BIG Workshop this Thursday — an exciting event packed with insights, networking, and actionable tools for entrepreneurs at all stages! From aspiring young innovators to seasoned pros ready for a new venture, this workshop offers a fantastic chance to connect, learn, and grow. ?? Date: This Thursday ?? Location: Marietta College ??? Limited Spots Available! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/gb3z23bx Kudos to Marietta College for creating an inspiring space where big ideas and entrepreneurial energy can thrive. Wishing all attendees a day filled with valuable takeaways and connections!

?? Exciting updates and events coming up at Washington & Jefferson College! Check out the flyers below for details on upcoming opportunities. Don't miss out on connecting with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and fellow students. Mark your calendars and join us for these impactful events! #Entrepreneurship #Networking

?? Huge Congratulations to Korion Health and the University of Pittsburgh team for winning the prestigious Hult Prize! ?? Korion Health, founded by Pitt MD/PhD student Anna Li, has set a new standard for social enterprise by creating an electronic stethoscope with a guided interface, allowing patients to monitor heart health from home. This innovative solution earned them the $1 million Hult Prize for tackling critical health disparities and increasing access to affordable, early-stage health screenings for heart and lung disease. Pitt's own Big Idea Center, Pitt Makerspace, and Hellbender engineering were instrumental in Korion’s journey, supporting this team to make a global impact. Congratulations to Anna Li and the whole team at Korion Health—your success is an inspiration! ?? #ELC #HultPrize #SocialEnterprise #Innovation

Exciting day at Fairmont State University! Our ELC Director, Eric Gaber, had the pleasure of visiting and speaking about entrepreneurship with students and faculty. He thoroughly enjoyed exploring the beautiful campus and discussing all the incredible initiatives happening at Fairmont. Looking forward to seeing how these future entrepreneurs shape the world! #Entrepreneurship #ELC #FairmontState #Innovation

Youngster Highlight! Recently, a group of young entrepreneurs from Reading School District took the initiative to launch their own business, "Snacks on Wheels," as part of their Social Studies curriculum. With generous donations from Unique Pretzel Bakery, Redner's Market, Clover Farms Dairy, and Amazon Wishlist supporters, the students successfully ran a mobile snack business. Through this hands-on experience, they learned essential concepts like supply and demand, customer service, and managing profit and loss. They also developed key skills in advertising, sales pitching, and menu creation. Their hard work led to enough profit to fund an end-of-year pizza party, showcasing how early exposure to entrepreneurial thinking helps build practical, real-world skills. We want to give a special shoutout to the Reading School District for taking the initiative to introduce these valuable lessons and foster an entrepreneurial mindset at a young age. The ELC is proud to support such innovative educational efforts!

We’re thrilled to announce new collaborations with the RIDC (Regional Industrial Development Corporation), BBB (Build Back Better), and NEC (New Economy Collaborate), opening up fantastic opportunities for innovation and growth within our entrepreneurial ecosystem. These partnerships are paving the way for incredible projects and connections! One of the first events on the horizon is the Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day, taking place on November 20th from 9am – 6pm at the Convention Center. This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in exploring the latest advancements in robotics and technology. Stay tuned for more details on our exciting ventures ahead! RIDC Link: https://lnkd.in/eQkJ3S7C Robotics Discovery Day Link: https://lnkd.in/egTwEFEh NEC Info:

Upcoming Spring 2025 Event: Intercollegiate Fashion Show! We’re excited to announce the student-led Intercollegiate Fashion Show, bringing designers, creators, and other talented individuals together from different colleges and universities to showcase their companies and products. The following are student-led practitioners who will be participating: Designers: Showcase your original clothing designs. Brand Creators: Share your innovative brands and product lines. Musicians: Perform live music to set the tone for the event. Event Planners: Help organize and manage this exciting fashion event. Marketers: Promote the show and elevate its visibility through creative strategies. Photographers: Capture the best moments of the show for promotion and memories. Models: Walk the runway and bring the designs to life. Volunteers: Assist with event planning, promotion, and day-of operations. Please reach out to Eric Gaber at Westminster Entrepreneurship Center, and he will connect interested parties with the event organizers.

Exciting News! We’re preparing for a special Civic Entrepreneurial Event the week after Global Entrepreneurship Week. This event will bring together key stakeholders from counties, higher education institutions, and economic development organizations to explore the role of innovation in driving regional growth. Looking forward to advancing entrepreneurship in our region! #Innovation #EconomicDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ELC #RegionalGrowth

Shoutout to Penn State’s Nittany Entrepreneur Society for bringing together over 70 student entrepreneurs to explore the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem at Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank! The growth of this club over the past few years has been incredible! #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #HappyValley #PennState