Student entrepreneurs will gather to develop their business plans, recruit team members, and network with mentors.
Just the chance to network is a great opportunity. I met some great investors last year and to this day we still keep in touch.
— — Diandre Clarke '18
The Dolan School will host the annual Business Model Workshop, part of the Fairfield StartUp program , on Saturday, November 11 in the Faber Hall Dining Commons from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Designed to prepare students to develop their business ideas, students will learn business model basics, form teams, and connect with mentors. Chris Huntley, PhD, associate professor of information systems and director of the Fairfield StartUp program, will lead the workshop and address topics such as designing a product and finding the right target market. Students will make their pitch, recruit teammates and mentors, and get feedback on their business idea.
Diandre Clarke ’18, a 2017 Fairfield StartUp Showcase winner, looks forward to pitching her personal brand, “Belle,” this year.
“You never know what's in store. Even if you don't want to be part of the Showcase, just the chance to network is a great opportunity. I met some great investors last year and to this day we still keep in touch. On a weekly basis someone is reaching out to me to share news about events they feel could benefit me,” said Clarke.
Mentors and faculty members will also be in attendance. Cathy Giapponi, PhD, associate professor of management, said, “The Business Model Workshop provides a great opportunity for students who have a business idea and offers tools and templates that can help them better navigate the process to give them confidence to continue their work.”
Following the Business Model Workshop, students interested in moving forward to the next round will sign up to pitch at the Fairfield StartUp Showcase Qualifiers on December 13 where they will deliver their pitch to a panel of judges. From there, individuals and teams with the highest score will be selected to advance to the StartUp Showcase on April 26, 2018 to pitch for startup funding in front of a live audience and panel of alumni and local investors.
Students interested in attending the Business Model Workshop on November 11 should register on OrgSync. This event satisfies an FYE Connect credit.
