Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center

?? Announcing the Fall 2024 Milestone Makers Cohort 2! ?? We are thrilled to introduce the incredible entrepreneurs in our Fall 2024 Milestone Makers Cohort 2! This cohort is dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of No Poverty (#1), Gender Equality (#5), and Decent Work and Economic Growth (#8). These founders were hand-selected for their commitment to building impactful, mission-driven businesses that strive to improve lives and support communities globally. From connecting underserved populations with employment opportunities to empowering women in STEM, these entrepreneurs are pushing boundaries to create a brighter future. Throughout the program, they will receive mentorship, executive coaching, and access to a network of industry experts to achieve key business milestones, all at no cost thank you to the generosity of our sponsors: Nasdaq, KPMG US, Lehigh University, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, HubSpot, BPM LLP, and Google for Startups. Help us celebrate these changemakers: Andre P., Untapped Solutions Ireoluwa Obatoki, Flance Miroslava Rodríguez, Erandi Aprende Priyanka Kamath, 100 Girls In Blockch(AI)n is now 100 GIGA Rebecca Rosenberg, ReBokeh Vision Technologies, Inc. Sara Schmitt, Adro Sola Adesakin CPA, FCA, FCCA, MBA, CFEI, Smart Stewards Stephen Mwangi, Niobi Sunday Paul Adah, Pay4Me App Veronica Barnes, MBA, SHRM-SCP, PMP, Mindset2Money Will Taylor, Parish Tec Learn more about these incredible founders: https://lnkd.in/gAJWx-Vh Interested in joining? Applications are now open for the Winter 2025 cohort, focusing on Peace and Justice (#16) and Reduced Inequalities (#10). Apply by October 28th: https://lnkd.in/g9vGazu9 #MilestoneMakers #SustainableDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #NasdaqCenter #SDGs #Innovation #Fall2024Cohort #GlobalImpact

?? Reminder: Tomorrow! ?? Join us Thursday, October 17th, from 12-1 PM PDT for an exciting session on “How to Craft a Winning Go-to-Market Story” with Laura Nespoli! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to: ? Build a successful go-to-market story that resonates with your audience. ? Tailor your narrative for different marketing channels and stakeholders. ? Understand when and where to deliver your story to inspire action. Whether you’re launching a new product or looking to differentiate your brand, this session will leave you with actionable insights for go-to-market success. Don’t miss it – there's still time to register! https://lnkd.in/gXUuWDFS #GoToMarket #BrandStorytelling #MarketingSuccess #NasdaqCenter #Entrepreneurship Meshin Movement Article Group

Michigan: A Leader in Black Entrepreneurial Equity! State of Michigan ranks as one of the top states for Black entrepreneurial equity in the Venture Equity Project's latest report, Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States. ?? The state's commitment to advancing equity and inclusion for Black entrepreneurs is further demonstrated by organizations like Invest Detroit, which play a pivotal role in providing access to capital and resources for diverse business owners. Coalition members include Invest Detroit, Michigan State University, Ann Arbor SPARK, Western Michigan University, and University of Michigan, all organizations with existing venture teams supporting the start-up ecosystem and the Michigan Venture Capital Association. At the forefront of this mission is Jennifer Hayes, SVP of Operations and Policy at Invest Detroit, whose leadership has driven impactful change for underrepresented founders, ensuring they have the tools and networks needed to thrive. Through targeted investments, collaborative policy work, and a focus on inclusive economic growth, Michigan is not only supporting entrepreneurs but building a brighter, more equitable future for all. Download the report and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS9bDQfj #Entrepreneurship #Equity #BlackEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #DetroitBusiness #InvestDetroit #JenniferHayes #MichiganBusiness #VentureEquityProject #EquityInnovationLeaders

We are thrilled to introduce the incredible entrepreneurs selected for the Fall 2024 Milestone Makers Cohort 1 at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center! These visionary leaders are building businesses that drive solutions for two critical United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Affordable and Clean Energy (#7) and Climate Action (#13). Each entrepreneur was chosen after a competitive process. Throughout this program, they receive individualized mentorship, executive coaching, and access to our global network of experts to help achieve key milestones in their entrepreneurial journeys. Their innovative work spans AI-powered climate tech, solar energy solutions, sustainable agriculture, and much more—all with the goal of improving lives and supporting communities worldwide. Meet our Cohort: ?? Anastassia Nefedova, Regenerate ?? Caleb Iwuoha, Acecore Incorporations ?? Caroline Comeau, MBA, Fire Neural Network ?? Ifeoluwa Tryphena Olatayo, Soupah Farm-en-Market Limited ?? James Muritu, ProGreen Innovations Ltd ?? Lalit Gautam, Sensegrass ?? Natasha Ibori, Uwana Energy ?? NNAEDOZIE GEORGE IDOKO, Solaristique ?? Tunde Adeyemi, SolarMoney? Africa We’re excited to support these entrepreneurs as they work towards transformative milestones in clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainability. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gN5UUDJ6 Interested in joining us? Applications for our Winter 2025 Cohort (focused on Peace and Justice, and Reduced Inequalities) are now open! Apply by October 28th: https://lnkd.in/g9vGazu9 Special thank you to our sponsors who make this program possible: Nasdaq, KPMG US, Lehigh University, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, HubSpot, BPM LLP, and Google for Startups. #Entrepreneurship #ClimateAction #Sustainability #AffordableEnergy #MilestoneMakers #NasdaqCenter #Innovation #Mentorship #UNSDG

?? TUE, OCT 22, 2024 ?? GTM-Ready: How to Activate Momentum from Product-Market Fit Product-market fit is a key milestone, proving your business solves a problem in a way that resonates with your target market; but it’s only part of the equation. Emily (Hochman) Mueller, Managing Partner at Bolden Advisors, Early-Stage Impact Investor at Story Ventures, and former Cofounder and CEO at Wellory (acq. by Season Health), will explore how product-market fit and strategic positioning seamlessly blend to support your go-to-market strategy. You’ll walk away with practical insights to validate your assumptions about customer needs and create a compelling value proposition so that you can set yourself and your business up for optimal success at launch and beyond! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gCZbiY2R

Meet Catharine Montgomery, MBA, Founder and CEO of Better Together! In this inspiring Faces of Entrepreneurship profile, Catharine shares her entrepreneurial journey, how she's transforming challenges into opportunities, and her passion for empowering communities. From leading with resilience to creating real impact, this is a story you don’t want to miss! ?? “Entrepreneurship means creating solutions to challenges, driving change, and empowering communities." ?? Click the link to read her full story and get inspired! https://lnkd.in/g_zFh-nw #Entrepreneurship #FacesOfEntrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #BetterTogether #EntrepreneurJourney #FacesOfEntrepreneurship

Florida: A Powerhouse for Hispanic Entrepreneurial Equity! State of Florida is among the top-ranked states for Hispanic entrepreneurial equity in the Venture Equity Project's new report, Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States. ?? With a rapidly growing startup ecosystem and a diverse population of entrepreneurs, Florida is leading the charge in creating a more inclusive economy, especially for Hispanic business owners. Driving this movement is Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Esq., President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, an organization committed to fostering equitable innovation and unlocking new opportunities for underrepresented founders. Leigh-Ann’s leadership continues to expand the state's impact, ensuring more entrepreneurs have access to resources and the support they need to scale. Florida’s combination of strong community leadership, supportive legislation, and a dynamic entrepreneurial landscape makes it a national leader in equitable growth. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS9bDQfj #Entrepreneurship #Equity #HispanicEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #MiamiBusiness #MiamiDadeInnovationAuthority #LeighAnnBuchanan #FloridaBusiness #VentureEquityProject #EquityInnovationLeaders

There’s still time to register for Strategic Online Brand Positioning - tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15 from 9 - 10 AM PT! Don't miss this opportunity to learn proven strategies to maximize your brand's visibility, establish credibility, and drive engagement online. Whether you’re building your brand from scratch or looking to refine your online presence, this session will give you the tools you need to stand out in the digital landscape. We’re excited to welcome Ari Krzyzek, CEO and Head of Strategy at Chykalophia, who will cover: - Gaining insight into your target audience's needs and behaviors - Defining your brand values and key points of differentiation - Selecting the right online channels to amplify your message and engage your audience It’s your chance to position your brand for success and drive new opportunities in your niche! ?? Register now to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/gJqScMR2 We look forward to seeing you there.

North Carolina: A Blueprint for Entrepreneurial Equity! In the Venture Equity Project's new report Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States, North Carolina isn’t just in the top 10 for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurial equity — it’s setting the bar for what equitable entrepreneurship looks like nationwide. ?? Leading the charge is NC IDEA, a foundation known for its groundbreaking work in providing grants, mentorship, and strategic support to entrepreneurs across the state. NC IDEA has played a pivotal role in building an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering the success of thousands of startups led by underrepresented founders. Congratulations to Thom Ruhe and the NC IDEA team! State of North Carolina’s holistic approach to empowering minority entrepreneurs makes it a model for other states, showing how innovative programs and collaborative ecosystems can create long-term economic impact. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS9bDQfj #Entrepreneurship #Equity #InclusiveEconomy #BlackEntrepreneurs #HispanicEntrepreneurs #NCIDEA #NorthCarolinaBusiness #VentureEquityProject #SmallBusinessGrowth #EquityInnovationLeaders

Illinois Shines in the Venture Equity Report! In the Venture Equity Project's new report Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States, Illinois ranks among the top states driving equity in entrepreneurship, particularly for Black and women business owners. ?? The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is at the forefront, breaking down systemic barriers through programs like the @Illinois Innovation Venture Fund (INVENT) and the Illinois Women’s Business Collective (ILWBC), which provide venture capital, mentorship, and vital resources to minority and women entrepreneurs. Illinois’s commitment to empowering diverse business owners is creating new pathways to success and making the state a hub for equitable economic growth. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gS9bDQfj #Entrepreneurship #Equity #IllinoisBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #BlackEntrepreneurs #InclusiveEconomy #VentureEquityProject #EquityInnovationLeaders #SmallBusinessGrowth #ILWBC Michelle Lura White State of Illinois