SMU Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club

For 14 months, Whitney Wolfe Herd was?not?Bumble Inc.’s CEO. The founder launched the dating app a decade ago, right after she turned 25, and although she flashily?brought in new CEO Lidiane Jones?in 2023 to herald the public company’s next era, she now says she was essentially burnt out by then. “I had been going for about 10 years straight,” she says. “I’d been in this long-term relationship with Bumble, and it was time for a break.” Wolfe Herd instead served as the company’s board chair while it encountered a challenging market. Just over a year later, Jones?has left, and Wolfe Herd is back as Bumble’s CEO. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCH7MQFV

Introducing the 2025–2026 Officers of the Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club! We’re thrilled to welcome this year’s leadership team as they continue to grow the #1 community for entrepreneurs, startup operators, and investors at SMU Cox. This group is committed to fostering innovation, connection, and real-world impact across campus and beyond. Whether you're building your first venture or investing in the next big idea, CGEC is your launchpad. Let’s make this year the most entrepreneurial yet! SMU Cox School of Business / Southern Methodist University / The SMU Cox Caruth Institute For Entrepreneurship / SMU Cox - Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership / The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HITIE)

Thank you to the Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club 2024–2025 Officers for your dedication and hard work this past year. Key Accomplishments: - Hilltop Founders Pitch Competition: 24+ contestants - 6+ Workshops tailored to startups and small businesses CGEC is the premier student organization for entrepreneurs, startup operators, and investors at SMU Business School. The #1 community to discuss the latest in entrepreneurship and connect with like-minded individuals, turning ideas into tangible ventures. The Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club looks forward to introducing the 2025–2026 officers soon! SMU Cox School of Business / Southern Methodist University /The SMU Cox Caruth Institute For Entrepreneurship / SMU Cox - Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership / The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HITIE)

Venture capital is evolving, and businesswomen play a crucial role in driving innovation, funding transformative ideas, and shaping the industry's future. Join us at SMU Collins Center for a special Southwest Venture Forum on March 27 featuring leading female investors and entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation. "Women in Venture Capital: Trailblazing Women Shaping the Future" will offer insightful discussions on the changing landscape of VC, firsthand perspectives from women making an impact in the field, and meaningful networking opportunities. RSVP at?smu.edu/swvf by March 20 to join what is sure to be a fantastic event! Tickets are $50 (students, yours are $35!), and all are welcome. We hope to see you there!

? ??The SMU Social Impact Lab Is Now Accepting Applications??? ?? Are you a changemaker with a vision for social good? The new Social Impact Lab at SMU is accepting applications for its Spring cohort. The Lab provides SMU alumni, students and faculty with up to $50,000 in financing and mentorship for for-profit businesses that prioritize social and environmental responsibility.? ?? Don't miss this opportunity to bring your mission-driven business idea to life. Learn more and apply at smu.edu/socialimpact?

The Spears Workshop Series launched with an incredible start on Saturday! In Workshop #1, Emily W. Choi and Yoram Solomon led an insightful discussion about practical strategies for evaluating your business. Thank you to Emily, Yoram, and our attendees for setting such a strong tone for the series! Next up: Our second workshop, focused on business operations, is happening this Saturday! Secure your spot by scanning the QR code below or visiting https://bit.ly/3CUgo1F. Looking for more ways to get involved with Spears? Join our community on Startup Tree (same link above) to stay updated on entrepreneurial events and opportunities in DFW. We're excited to connect with you and help you take your venture to the next level. See you on Saturday!

Great news, LinkedIn friends: the Spears Workshop Series for practical entrepreneurial skills kicks off this weekend, and you're invited! Our new, three-part workshop series was thoughtfully designed to equip you with the practical skills needed to build, launch, and grow your businesses.?Each workshop has a different focus and is open to ALL community members -- no SMU affiliation required! Join us for the first workshop, Building Strategic Foundations: Validating Your Business Concept & Go-To-Market Strategy, this Saturday by scanning the QR code below or visiting https://bit.ly/3WXbyYh to register. We hope to see you Saturday as we kick off the series!

Join Us for Our 3rd Speaker Series Event of the Semester! We’re thrilled to welcome Rogers Healy as our featured speaker! As the world of venture capital (VC) and angel investing continues to grow, many aspiring professionals are drawn to the challenge and potential rewards of supporting early-stage startups. However, breaking into the industry and finding success can be a daunting task. ?? Location: James M. Collins Executive Education Center, Collins 200 ??? Date: March 29th RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gm9aTSun

Join Us for Our Second Speaker Series Event of the Semester! We’re thrilled to welcome Valecia Harris and J. F. Chester as our featured speakers! -Valecia Harris: Thinking Like a CEO: Developing a Strategic Mindset for Long-Term Success -Jim Chester: The Psychology of Resilience: Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks ?? Location: James M. Collins Executive Education Center, Collins 200 ??? Date: March 22? RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gjZfd2eE

SMU has a rich history of launching successful startup founders, including Bumble Inc. founder Whitney Wolfe Herd and?La La Land Kind?Café founder Francois Reihani.?Are you next? We’re excited to announce that the?Hilltop Founders Pitch Competition?is back! This time the SMU Cox - Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership will host the event! Selected SMU student founders will have the opportunity to refine their startup stories, learn how to value their venture, explore the best practices of storytelling and pitch deck design, and compete for cash for pitch day. Applications open soon, so be sure to start working on your venture idea and pitch deck! Eligibility: Current SMU students only Applications require a 90-second video of your elevator pitch (you can start working on that now!) Founders?must attend?at least?two?of the three workshops from the Spears Workshop Series (see details below) Competition Award Prizes: 1st?Place: $10,000 2nd?Place: $5,000 3rd?Place: $3,000 Important Dates: THIS WEEK:?Workshop #1 (Building Strategic Foundations): Saturday, February Application open: Monday, February 17 Workshop #2 (Understanding Business Operations): Saturday, February 22 – Workshop #3 (Effective Storytelling & Pitch Deck Design): Saturday, March 15 – Application close: Monday, March 24 Pitch day: Friday, April 11 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/gDff5Jxn Joshua Taylor / Morganne Stewart / Emily Franks / Theresa Shigemura / SMU Cox School of Business / Southern Methodist University