Milestone Markers - December 13, 2024
Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center
Empowering entrepreneurship: every stage, every industry, every background.
In this edition of Milestone Markers, we’re excited to share the latest highlights from our vibrant entrepreneurial community. From groundbreaking research featured in the SEC’s 2024 Annual Report to Congress to the inspiring achievements of our Milestone Makers and Circles participants, these stories showcase the innovation and impact happening right now. You’ll also find updates on upcoming workshops, key resources, and opportunities to engage with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s mission. Let’s dive into the incredible momentum shaping the path forward!
The Nasdaq Center’s Venture Equity Project research is featured in the SEC Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation’s 2024 Annual Report to Congress
Our report, Revitalizing Innovation: Models for Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the U.S., developed with 美国宾夕法尼亚州立大学 ’s Evidence-to-Impact Collaborative and Heartland Forward , explores how local ecosystems and state initiatives drive entrepreneurial success, especially for women and underrepresented founders.
Thank you to 摩根大通 and Nasdaq for supporting this work and to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for recognizing our research in advancing inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Updates from our Entrepreneurial Community?
In the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 2025 list, three of the 30 recognized in the Social Impact category are Milestone Makers ( Ikenna Nzewi of Releaf Earth (YC W19) , ??Adeola Ajani, MBA?? of Fem Equity? , and Rebecca Rosenberg of ReBokeh Vision Technologies, Inc. )?and one is a former Startup Intern Match intern and now host company founder ( Olivia Abrams of TiCK MiTT )?More
Milestone Maker Rony Delgarde 's Global Paint for Charity has been honored with a Certificate of Participation from the Energy Globe Awards Foundation for our project, Painting Hope: Global Paint for Charity’s Sustainable Solution for Paint Waste Management More
Milestone Maker Sunday Paul Adah 's Pay4Me App received the BoiseDev Peak 43 Trailhead Startup of the Year 2024 award at this year's Boise Entrepreneur Week More
Milestone Circles' Kayshaun Brooks ' Renew You Body Butters won Gold in the Alternative Therapies category at the Best of Modesto Awards More?(pg 27)
Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Milestone Makers Cohort 1!
These outstanding entrepreneurs are tackling global challenges aligned with Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG #7) and Climate Action (SDG #13). From AI-powered climate technologies and solar energy to sustainable agriculture, their innovative solutions are creating meaningful impact worldwide. Learn more about them here.
Graduates include 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 ), Lalit Gautam ( Sensegrass ), Natasha Ibori ( Uwana Energy ), NNAEDOZIE GEORGE IDOKO ( Solaristique ), and Tunde Adeyemi ( SolarMoney? Africa ).
Join us in celebrating their success and ongoing impact
Now Accepting Applications for the Spring 2024 Milestone Makers Cohort
The Spring 2024 Milestone Makers cohort is supporting entrepreneurs building businesses focused on Clean and Affordable Energy (UN SDG #7), Innovation, Industry, and Infrastructure (UN SDG #9), Responsible Consumption and Production (UN SDG #12), and Climate Action (UN SDG #13). Express interest now! Once we receive your expression of interest, we will send you the application. Applications are now open and due by January 27th, 2025 @ 11:59pm PST
Corporate Partner Resources?& Opportunities
Holiday consumer pulse survey: New US consumer survey shows what consumers have in store for their holiday shopping and travel plans
2024 US technology survey report: The digital dividend: US businesses are extracting value from their technology investments, but keeping up with the pace of innovation remains a challenge
Safeguard the ideas, secrets, and branding that make your small business special: From slogans to logos to proprietary trade secrets, your company’s intellectual property is an asset worth protecting.?
2024 Silicon Valley 150 Corporate Governance Report: Wilson Sonsini’s 2024 Silicon Valley 150 Corporate Governance Report reviews the corporate governance practices and disclosures.
How AI is transforming business today: AI-enabled process automation, efficiency, and other top benefits now happen at a scale and scope to deliver transformation and disruption, not just incremental gains.
领英推荐
Navigating the Fundraising Maze: A comprehensive report from HubSpot for Startups with actionable insights for startup founders on how to raise capital faster and more effectively.
We’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of our Startup Intern Match program, a collaboration between Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center and Lehigh University , spotlighting the exceptional student talent from our Spring 2024 cohorts on Nasdaq ’s MarketSite tower in Times Square! This initiative, facilitated by Lehigh@NasdaqCenter , has connected more than 55 startups with 85 talented student interns, providing a vital platform for early-stage companies to thrive and grow.
Congratulations to these participants and heartfelt thanks to our hosting startups for their commitment to nurturing top talent and fostering innovation!
Upcoming Classes and Workshops
How to Catch a Big GREEN Fish Dec 16: Learn how to sell to B2B for impact-driven startups & small businesses with special guests from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati , Nasdaq , Kloopify , and Veratempo .
Ignite and Thrive: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Dec 18: Join us for an insightful and impactful conversation with Ayris T. Scales and brought to you by the NAREIT FOUNDATION !
Healing Financial Wounds for an Abundant Future Jan 7: Learn how to shift limiting beliefs to boost financial resilience and manage uncertainty for lasting success with Kalpashree Gupta .
Launch and Scale Your Business with Limited Capital Jan 9: Discover practical strategies to build and grow your business on a budget with La'Daska Powell .
Financial Wellness for Women Entrepreneurs Jan 10: Learn strategies to manage credit, prioritize expenses, and build a roadmap for lasting financial wellness with Holly Morphew, AFC? .
KPI Driven Innovation Jan 16: Join us for a conversation on the Venture Equity Project's 2024 report with State of Illinois DCEO, NC IDEA Foundation!
The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is live!
Elevate your gift-giving this season with products and services from our incredible entrepreneurial community. From self-care to professional must-haves, we’ve curated something for everyone on your list. Shop now and support small businesses that make a big impact: nasdaqcenter.org/HolidayGiftGuide2024
Community Voices
Kansas City Business Journal : Billions in federal funds are heading to businesses in 2025. Here's how to get a slice.
Entrepreneur Magazine : Leadership vs. Management: How to Understand the Difference and 6 Ways to Bridge the Gap by Jason Zickerman
#PaulGraham: Founder Mode (via Data-Driven VC)
Faces of Entrepreneurship
Rania Zuri is a trailblazing young entrepreneur and advocate for early childhood literacy. As the founder and CEO of The LiTEArary Society , she has turned her passion for books into a transformative mission to end book deserts for disadvantaged preschool children.?Rania shares her journey from a middle school volunteer to an international changemaker. She offers inspiring insights into the values that guide her, the power of mentorship, and the resilience needed to pursue a mission that impacts millions.
Thank you to our corporate partners
We partner with funders and leaders deeply committed to advancing equality and expanding access to opportunities through entrepreneurship. By activating powerful networks of support and expertise, we’re amplifying our impact and driving meaningful change. Thank you to Nasdaq , 毕马威 , Lehigh University , Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati , 富国银行 , NAREIT FOUNDATION , 沃尔玛 , 摩根大通 , HubSpot , BPM LLP , Google Cloud , and more! Learn more about becoming a partner of the Nasdaq Center.
Our mission as a nonprofit is to improve inclusion, access, and knowledge in entrepreneurship to advance economic progress for all.
By honoring the lived experiences of those dedicated to building a better world, the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center delivers world-class education, global networks, and cutting-edge research—fueled by the largest real-time intelligence on entrepreneurship worldwide.