Principia College Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Happy Thanksgiving from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation! ???? We're so grateful for our students, faculty members, alumni, and everyone who collaborates and contributes to our mission. Thank you for being part of this community!

Big shoutout to Braian Song! ?? Braian Song recently placed third in the Red Bull Basement National Finals in Argentina with his idea, Mentor Match AI—a platform that connects students with mentors using AI to create meaningful growth opportunities. ???? Here’s what Braian had to say about the experience: "Competing in the Red Bull Basement national finals was an amazing experience that pushed me to think big and innovate. I’m so thankful for the support I got from the Principia College community—professors, friends, and mentors who encouraged me every step of the way. This journey has been so inspiring, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!" We couldn’t be prouder of you, Braian! Your creativity and hard work are inspiring, and we can’t wait to see where your ideas take you next. ??

The library is hosting a Design Contest for Giving Day, with a $100 prize up for grabs! The winning design will be produced in the Florence Aptaker Idea Lab and sent to 100 Giving Day donors – a fantastic way to showcase your creativity!? If you’re interested or know someone who might be, spread the word! For details on submitting your design, feel free to contact Mark Geis for all the specifics. Don’t miss your chance to make an impact and get your design out there! Good luck! ????

Congratulations to?Kudakwashe Sandi?for winning?3rd Place?at the Innovation Challenge with his project,?Trailblazer! ???? Trailblazer is a one-stop app for planning unforgettable adventure trips. From booking rentals and accommodations to finding unique activities, Trailblazer makes it easy to customize road trips that are truly one of a kind. Kuda and his New Venture Creation team—Krista Klava-Bumane, Parker Boyce, and Idinma Sylvester—have created something exciting for anyone who loves to explore. ??? Can’t wait to see where Trailblazer takes us next!

Big congratulations to Kwaku Coker and Damir Conci for not just one, but two wins at the Innovation Challenge! ?? Their project, PrinPrint!, won 2nd Place and the People’s Choice Award! Developed in a New Venture Creation class with teammates Christian Tresoldi and Kingsley Cockburn, it is a fingerprint tool designed for college dorm doors. No more lost key cards or getting locked out—just a simple touch to unlock your door. Huge shoutout to Kwaku and Damir for this well-deserved recognition, and cheers to making dorm life a little easier for everyone! ??

A huge congratulations to?Kailis Mayo?for winning?1st Place?at the Innovation Challenge with his incredible idea,?253 Baseball! ???? 253 Baseball is a full indoor baseball facility with a mission to make the sport accessible to everyone. As a non-profit organization, it’s designed to provide low-income families with a safe, affordable, and accessible space for young baseball athletes to train and grow—at a fraction of the cost compared to other facilities. We’re so proud of you, Kailis, for this game-changing idea! ??

5 Reasons You Don't Want to Miss the Innovation Challenge!??? 1???Win Exciting Prizes?– Who doesn't love cash rewards? 2???Networking Opportunities?– Meet industry experts and like-minded innovators! 3???Develop New Skills?– Perfect your pitch and grow your entrepreneurial toolkit! 4???Personal Growth?– Step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. ?? 5???Receive Valuable Feedback?– Get insights from experienced judges to refine your ideas! Join us?tonight at 8:15 PM in Wanamaker?to support the participants, vote for the People’s Choice Award, and enjoy some pizza! See you there! ??

Meet Our Judges for the Innovation Challenge! We’re excited to introduce the amazing panel of judges for the Innovation Challenge 2024 on October 29th! ?? Tom Nickell - Co-Founder & CEO @ CreteDefender ?? Emelie Fredrikson - Business Development Manager @ Broadview Group Holdings ?? David Corbitt - Founder & CEO @ Bespoke Apparel ?? Adriane Fredrikson - Owner @ Ferns & Finds Our participants will receive extremely valuable feedback from our judges. Don’t forget to attend the event and cast your vote for the "People's Choice Award!" Mark your calendars: October 29th!????

?? Innovation Challenge is almost here! ?? Join us on October 29th for an exciting evening of creativity and entrepreneurship! ?? The competition kicks off behind closed doors with participants delivering their elevator pitches to our judges. Then, at 8:15 PM in Wanamaker, the doors open to the public where the contestants will present their ideas live! ?? Prizes: 1st Place: $300 2nd Place: $200 3rd Place: $100 People’s Choice Award: Vote for your favorite and the winner will take home $100! Bring your energy, vote for your favorite, and cheer on the innovators. Plus, stick around for pizza after the event! You won't want to miss this! See you there!

Mark your calendars for October 16th from 2:30-4pm in Wanamaker Hall! We’re thrilled to have Steve Carlson, a Principia alum and patent expert, join us to share his incredible journey and career insights. With over 50 patents to his name, Steve’s work has transformed industries. He was even awarded Inventor of the Year in 2022 for his pioneering advancements in lithium-ion battery technology. Currently, Steve is the Executive Vice President of Advanced Materials and Battery Products at Meta Materials Inc. (META?), and he’s here to tell us how he took his ideas from concept to large-scale production and licensing. After the talk, we'll head to Leonard Hall for some refreshments and a chance to connect with Steve and each other. This is a can’t-miss event! Come get inspired and learn from one of the best in the business. ???