The StartUp program is an opportunity for students to network and engage with entrepreneurs in an innovative environment.
We welcome all types of business ideas.
— Eve Liptak, Program Coordinator
Believe you’ve got an idea for the next Ring or Etsy? Dreaming of becoming the next Jack Dorsey or Tory Burch? If yes, dive into Fairfield’s version of ‘Shark Tank.’
Students who have an idea for a new business or who are just intrigued about entrepreneurship are encouraged to participate in Fairfield StartUp, an exciting program that provides students with unique experiences outside the classroom on what it takes to become an entrepreneur. The Dolan School of Business will host the Fairfield StartUp Annual Kickoff, on Monday, September 24th, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Kelley Center Presentation Room. All majors from all schools are welcome.
Entitled, “A Conversation on Entrepreneurial Passion, Resilience, and Openness,” the event will provide a bird’s eye view of the yearlong Fairfield StartUp program and the StartUp Showcase, an exciting entrepreneurship competition reminiscent of the TV show “Shark Tank” featuring student teams pitching business ideas. Past winners have included ideas for an app to revolutionize the scope of social, platonic meet-ups, and a wearable bone mineral density monitor to easily detect weakness in bones.
“The Kickoff is also an excellent opportunity to network with other students if you’re thinking about joining a team for the competition or finding partners,” said J. Eve Liptak, Program Coordinator for the Dolan School of Business. “We welcome all types of business ideas, including product, tech, financial, service (such as Uber or Blue Apron), social enterprises, and creative (starting a design firm or recording study).”
In addition, the Kickoff event will feature a live "Ask Me Anything" session and presentation by two entrepreneurs, Michael Garvey ’89, a longtime investor in the Startup program who founded, built, and sold License Monitor Inc., a service that provides drivers license checks, and Brian Harniman ’94, managing director of Brand New Matter, a strategic advisory firm, who was on the founding teams of the websites Priceline and Kayak. Students are asked to register on OrgSync, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Fairfield StartUp continues as students are guided through a series of mentoring and networking events, including the Elevator Pitch Contest. Students will form teams and brainstorm ideas for new businesses, while gaining career ready skills. Mentors made up of business leaders from the alumni community and local business community will offer advice on such matters as financial and marketing plans, while helping students hone their ideas and pitch presentation skills.
The StartUp Showcase takes place on April 25th, 2019. The festivities will feature select student teams pitching their business ideas to a panel of investors for seed money. The most recent Showcase featured four teams taking the Quick Center for the Arts stage in front of a combined live and online audience of nearly 2,000. Investors pledged a record-setting $50,000, an amount that organizers expect to be topped this spring.
The Fairfield StartUp program is part of the Professional Development Series (PDS) for business students. Students will receive PDS Credit Level 1 for the kick-off. It also qualifies for a FYE Inspire Credit.
