On November 15, Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship hosted its highly anticipated annual event—Startup Fest 2024. Held at the Pearlstein Learning Center, the day brought together students, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to celebrate innovation, learn from thought leaders, and showcase groundbreaking ideas. From pitch competitions to intimate workshops, Startup Fest offered a full day of valuable opportunities for students looking to launch their ventures or advance their entrepreneurial journeys.

Here’s a recap of the day’s most exciting moments:

Coffee and Croissants: Startup Talks with Chuck Sacco

The kick-off event for Startup Fest this year was a hit! Students enjoyed some morning pastries and refreshments while watching a special taping of Chuck Sacco’s Startup Talks. As the Vice Dean of the Close School, Chuck’s extensive knowledge and valuable insights were highly beneficial.

But what truly made the event special was the eagerness and engagement of the students. They came prepared with thoughtful questions about entrepreneurial challenges and strategies. Their participation broke the ice and sparked conversations among students. Chuck didn’t just answer their questions; he provided real-world examples and personalized advice, making the session both informative and inspiring.

Fast Pitch Competition

Congratulations to Jan Haveresch for winning $500 with his idea Nav Automation.

With only two minutes to convince the judges of his pitch, Jan stood out with his innovative concept aimed at revolutionizing automation solutions for industries. What truly set him apart was his clear, concise, and compelling pitch, earning him the top prize. His win is a testament to the creativity and problem-solving abilities of Drexel’s entrepreneurial students.

Student Thought Leader Master Classes

Throughout the afternoon, Startup Fest attendees had the opportunity to choose from a variety of Student Thought Leader Masterclasses. These intimate workshops, led by fellow peers and alumni, provided students with not only practical information to help them on their startup journey, but also relatable inspiration to look up to.

The sessions included:

• “How to Build an App in Under an Hour” with Adam Terheardt, where students learned the essentials of rapid app development.
• “How to Market Yourself in Under an Hour” with Paige DeAngelo, who shared strategies for leveraging personal branding to market a startup.
• “How to Start a Social Impact Business” with Victoria Faith Miller, focusing on how to turn passion for social issues into a viable business.
• “How to Create and Post a Video on Social Media in Under an Hour” with Liam Halsey, which challenged participants to create engaging social media content on the spot.

Graphite Innovation Challenge

The Graphite Innovation Challenge was another exciting part of Startup Fest, where students pitched innovative business ideas focused on AI-driven solutions. After an insightful AI Roundtable Discussion led by industry experts, the competition kicked off with students presenting their concepts.

Congratulations to Natasha Hayes for taking home first place with her innovative idea, LaundroMate. Natasha’s solution stood out for its creativity and real-world application, earning her $500 and the opportunity to work with Graphite on further developing her idea.

Portfolio and Branding Review

One of the most sought-after sessions of the whole event was the Portfolio & Branding Review with Melissa Levenson. As the founder and Creative Director of Melissa Harans Studio, she is an expert with a keen eye and lots of advice to share with students. Those who made it in got the chance to meet one-on-one with her for personalized feedback on their portfolio and startup branding. This experience helped many students refine their visual identity and better position themselves in the competitive startup landscape.

The Final Round of Drexel’s Startup Funds Fall Cycle

The final round of Drexel’s Startup Funds Fall Cycle was another highlight of the day. This competition offers students the chance to secure large amounts of funding to advance their startup ideas. This year’s winners were:

• Jenell Collins, founder of Affirmation Friends, who took home $30,000 for her business that focuses on providing a positive, supportive space for people to connect and share affirmations. Jenell’s vision for building a community of positivity and mental wellness resonated with the judges, and her win will allow her to continue scaling her business.
• Andrew DeLuca, founder of Raptor Engineering Co, received $20,000 to advance his engineering and defense startup. Andrew’s ability to combine technical expertise with his company’s future growth goal impressed the judges. The funding will help him maintain the growth Raptor has already accomplished.

Looking Forward: The Future of Drexel Entrepreneurship

Startup Fest 2024 was an action-packed day that showcased the entrepreneurial talent at the Close School. From competition winners to planning your startup’s future, and even listening to the success of others, this event showcases the innovative ideas and ambitions of students who are ready to make their mark on the world. If this year’s Startup Fest is any indication, the future of Entrepreneurship at Drexel is bright, and we can’t wait to see the next wave of innovation.

Congratulations to all the winners and participants, and a big thank you to everyone who made Startup Fest 2024 possible!