Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad welcomed 33 graduates as new members of the Founders Circle.  They were selected in recognition of launching or leading ventures at Syracuse University while students, as well as significantly contributing to building the Blackstone LaunchPad since it opened in April 2016.  Founders Circle members serve as alumni role models and mentors for future student entrepreneurs who also exemplify a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Founders Circle Class of 2023 and their ventures include:

• Jack Adler, 23′ Whitman, Founder of Out2Win
• Sai Krishna Bolla ’23 School, Founder of Cognition X
• Raul Chakraborty, ’23 iSchool, Co-Founder of Athletify
• Season Chowdhury, ’23 Engineering and Computer Science, Co-Founder of Athetify
• Alexandria Cianfarani, ’23 iSchool, Founder of Clubmatch
• Bailey Davis, ’23 Newhouse and Maxwell, Founder of Zeal
• Kelly Davis, ’23 Whitman and Newhouse, Founder of Womanly
• Benjamin Delmarsh, ’22 VPA, Founder of Afterlife AR
• Adore Amore Ellis, ’23 VPA, Founder of MadebyAdore
• Benjamin Ford, ’23 iSchool, Founder of FundWurx
• Justin Gluska, ’23 Engineering and Computer Science, Founder of BusPoint and the ChatGPT Promptbook
• Nicholas Graham, ’23 Law and Whitman, LaunchPad Venture Associate
• Robert Goldblatt, ’23 Whitman, Founder of Tree-Spun
• Sydnee Grosso, ’23 Falk and Maxwell, LaunchPad Global Fellow
• Samuel Holland, ’23 Whitman and Newhouse, Innovator in Residence
• Claire Howard, ’23 Maxwell, LaunchPad Global Fellow
• Murray Lebovitz, ’23 Whitman, Founder of Keep Coffee Casual
• Carlos Magdaleno ’23 Newhouse
• Zebedayo Masongo, ’23 Law, Founder of Grnwood
• Jordan Pierre, ’23 Newhouse, Founder of Voice
• Gabriel Ruoff, ’23 Engineering and Computer Science, CTO of Zorse Cyber, Inc.
• Alexandra Santangelo, ’23 VPA, Launch Star
• Maya Tsimmer ’23 Newhouse and Whitman, Founder of Bethel Sweet Honey
• Zachary Stahl ’23 College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Connor Tarpey, ’23 iSchool, Founder of Immersive Media
• Alesandra Temerte, ’23 A&S, Co-Founder of Pathway Prep

Founders Circle Class of 2023 members who stayed on at Syracuse University this past year to pursue graduate degrees include:

• Natasha Brao ’22 VPA, G’23 Whitman, Founder of Holy Egg and Natasha Lauren Design
• Noah Mechnig-Giordano ’22, G’23 Whitman and ECS, Founder of Happy Loose-Leaf Tea
• Vanessa Lora ’18, G’23 Newhouse, Founder of Vanessa Lora Music
• Aidan Mickleburgh ’22, G’23 Whitman and ECS, Founder of Intervea
• Kai Patricio ’23 VPA, Founder of Farm Loop, Co-Founder of Remend and Intellegence++
• Jack Ramza ’22, G’23 Whitman, Rubin Family Innovation Mentor
• Rabia Razza ’23 VPA, Founder of Remend

The group was inducted by LaunchPad Founder Linda Dickerson Hartsock, Director Traci Geisler, along with Dean of the SU Libraries David Seaman. Syracuse University Libraries honored our 2022-2023 LaunchPad Senior Staff as part of the SU Libraries Family with additional cords to highlight the important work they do.

“Syracuse University has every right to be proud of these innovative, industrious, and successful young women and men as they go out into the world,” said Dean David Seaman.  “The library has provided them a space in which to work, staff expertise, and a rigorous set of programming to help develop their ideas, and they have created a community of innovation that continues to grow.  We look forward to having them come back to campus as young alumni and staying in touch with us – and each other – through the Founders Circle.”

During the program, LaunchPad Global Fellow Claire Howard ’23 (Maxwell) introduced the inaugural Innovator for Change Award in honor of Linda Dickerson Hartsock to recognize one student who have embodied fearlessness and tenacious in their pursuit of change, disruption, or innovation for the greater good. Nominated by peers, join us in congratulating Justin Gulska ’23 (ECS).

“The Class of 2023 Founders Circle joins an elite group of student innovators who have created startup ventures, experiential initiatives, or student organizations. Most have also achieved distinction as academic researchers and scholars.  We are so proud of them and their contributions to building the community that is at the heart of the LaunchPad at SU Libraries and its standing as one of the top performing student innovation hubs in the country.  They have exemplified leadership in every sense of the word and have been equally focused on creating meaningful impact. They are truly global citizens and will continue to be change makers in an entrepreneurial world. They exemplify our value system, and we know that they will continue to pay it forward as mentors to those who follow, inspiring them with their intellect and wisdom, kindness and continued accomplishments,” said Linda Dickerson Hartsock.

“The LaunchPad during my college years has been a catalyst for creativity, intellectual challenge, and mutually supportive community in my life. Every day I spent in the LaunchPad was a day where I exchanged ideas with brilliant individuals and came away with a sense of fascination for the world around me,” said Claire Howard. “Post-graduation, I’ll be moving to Washington D.C. and working as a Research Analyst for the Department of the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Stability Oversight Council.”

Learn more about the Blackstone LaunchPad and Founders Circle here.

Ethan Tyo ’17 (iSchool) and G ’22 (Falk, Food Studies) was selected for the prestigious Blackstone LaunchPad Fellowship, a 7-week immersive program designed to support student entrepreneurs across the 46-university network. Run in partnership with Future Founders, the 2023 Summer Blackstone LaunchPad Fellowship will empower student startups with entrepreneurial resources, mentorship, education, and financial assistance. Student participants will benefit from a community of fellow student entrepreneurs that will motivate them to explore and build on their ideas, and further develop their skills as founders.

Participating student founders will receive a grant to support their time working on advancing their entrepreneurial ventures, as well as other resources and support, including weekly workshops, community-building activities, and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and executives in the LaunchPad network. The program also includes intensive LaunchPad campus director coaching sessions.

The LaunchPad Fellowship program has grown into a signature program of the Blackstone LaunchPad network.  It is funded by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation and coordinated through the Blackstone LaunchPad network and Future Founders. 

Tyo will be working on the startup he founded as a student at Syracuse University. Alternative engage people in experiences across the food system that are grounded in the Indigenous values of community, sustainability and land. It shed light on such issues through educational efforts. For instance, Tyo worked with the Native Student Program to create a series of workshops and events around traditional Haudenosaunee foodways, including the Three Sisters Garden dedication. This work has led to collaborations with academic departments at Syracuse to infuse Indigenous knowledge into curricula as well as establishing cultural sites at neighboring universities and partnering with museums.

He is a mentor at Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad, and has been named as Todd B. Rubin Diversity and Inclusion Scholar, using his role to bring more awareness to indigenous issues withing the entrepreneurial community.

Alex Levy, a junior in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and Sam Schreiber, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, won the 2023 edition of the Intelligence++ design competition, held on April 21 in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Runners-up were the teams of Carolyn Fernandes ’23 and Cassia Soodak ’25; Chase Coleman ’27 (InclusiveU), Domenic Gallo ’23, and Bella Young ’23; and Kate Allyn ’26 (InclusiveU), Jillian Castle ’25 (InclusiveU), and Wyatt Gillespie ’23.

Optimal Assessment, Levy’s and Schreiber’s winning design, is a course planning application that takes instructors through steps that encourage them to think about the different ways they can facilitate learning and assessment, helping them design courses that meet the individual learning styles of students, guided by data.

A collaboration among Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse Libraries, the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) School of Design, and Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, Intelligence++ is an interdisciplinary initiative focused on inclusive entrepreneurship, design, and community. The project is available to both undergraduate and graduate students across the University, including students with intellectual disability from InclusiveU, a Taishoff Center program.

The 2023 competition was judged by Erik Geizer, CEO, The Arc New York; Chris Kennedy McKelvy, Founder, K Ventures, Vice Chair, Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation, and former Head of Partnerships, Oculus VR; and Matthew Van Ryn, Founder, Law Office of Matthew Van Ryn PLLC, and Business Counselor, New York State Small Business Development Center. Program donor Gianfranco Zaccai ’70, H’09, was on hand to offer teams advice about intelligent, inclusive innovation by design.

Also providing comments were Professor Don Carr, Program Coordinator, MFA in Design and Industrial and Interaction Design, VPA; Linda Dickerson Hartsock, Founder, Blackstone LaunchPad; Alex McKelvie, Interim Dean, Whitman School; Professor Beth Myers, Executive Director, Taishoff Center; and David Seaman, Dean, SU Libraries, and Interim Dean, School of Information Studies.

The competition’s showrunner was Ben Ford ’23, a previous Intelligence++ winner and Founder of Fundwurx, an all-in-one platform to automate and streamline corporate social responsibility efforts.

Intelligence++ Competition 2023 Inclusive Designs & Teams

DoorWays App
Zhengrong Chai, Yajie Lan ’23, Jonathon Rossi ’23, and Noah Soliman ’26
An AI-powered app that addresses social challenges faced by individuals, particularly neurodivergent students, in large community contexts. It provides personalized recommendations for activities and friends based on the user’s interests and personality.

Wear-it Fidgit Cuff-it
Carolyn Fernandes ’23 and Cassia Soodak ’25A collection of fidget devices for neurodivergent people working in professional environments, designed to provide stimulation for the hands. The discrete fidgets are attached to a cuff, hidden by fabric matching the sleeve.

Optimal Assessment
Alex Levy ’24 and Sam Schreiber ’25A course planning application that takes instructors through steps that encourage them to think about the different ways they can facilitate learning and assessment, potentially helping them design courses that meet individual learning styles of students, guided by data.

Sensory Pod
Riley Blumenthal ’23, Wyatt Gillespie ’23, and Jessica Mitchell ’23A small enclosure which combats the effects of sensoryprocessing disorder. This product aims to serve as a space for children who are overwhelmed, agitated, or upset.

FlipACC
Chase Coleman ’27 (InclusiveU), Domenic Gallo ’23, and Bella Young ’23 A design research project that explores the implementation of emerging technologies into Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools. The research aims to create generalized translation tools for people who rely on nonverbal speech methods to allow for seamless adaptation to verbal conversation.

AdaptED
Ryan Brouchoud ’25 and Adya Parida ’25AI-powered adaptive learning software to support children with disabilities. This software offers personalized learning experiences based on individual needs and abilities, while incorporating multiple teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles.

Sense
Kate Allyn ’26 (InclusiveU), Jillian Castle ’25 (InclusiveU), and Wyatt Gillespie ’23Sensory-friendly clothing that promotes comfort and well-being for individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder. The Sense Hoodie is designed with the four primary drivers of SPD discomfort in mind: auditory, tactile, visual, and proprioceptive.

Never Sew Alone
Kate Allyn (InclusiveU), Christina Alicia May, and Vineet Narayan ’25 (InclusiveU)A non-profit that empowers individuals to create their own vision of art through textiles. Through a series of creative workshops, neurodivergent community members are guided through projects that merge artistic expression with the development of skills such as sewing, embroidery, quilting, and similar crafts.

To learn more about Intelligence++, visit disabilityinclusioncenter.syr.edu/projects/intelligence.

It’s a cake party! Stop by the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad in Bird Library on Friday, May 12 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a “Senior Launch Party” celebrating Syracuse innovators who are graduating. Seniors, their friends and families, as well as all LaunchPad program participants, are invited to come enjoy festive cake, and share memories, and plans for the future.

We have loved working with you through the Blackstone LaunchPad program and wish you all the best as you start the exciting next chapter of your journey. We know that you will be innovation leaders wherever you go!

Come say farewell and good luck and enjoy some friendship and good spirit before graduation day.  Please bring family and friends.

If you can’t make it on Friday, we’re having donuts for parents on Saturday, May 13^th 10:00 to 12:00 p.m.

Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad teams, Fundwurx, Tà, and Zeal won the first, second and third place in the campus wide Panasci Business Plan Competition.

$20,000 Grand prize went to Ben Ford ‘23 (Whitman), founder of Fundwurx, a data science driven giving platform that uses state of the art machine learning technology to better connect a younger generation of donors with non-profits. Learn more

Second place award of $7,500 went to Motolani Oladitan ’24 (A&S), founder of Tà, a virtual marketplace connecting African beauty and wellness brands with the diaspora, making it easier for consumers to discover and purchase high-quality, authentic African products.

Oladitan also won the Afropreneurship Challenge, Raymond von Dran iPrize, and Hunter Brooks Watson Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award all this year as an undergraduate.

Third place prize of $2,500 was awarded to Bailey Davis ‘23 (Newhouse) after pitching Zeal, a Web3 magazine focusing on fashion, art, and culture. In addition, Davis received the Gilded Social Rising Entrepreneur Award of $5,000 funded by Scott Friedberg ’14.

The Whitman Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Jack Adler ‘23, founder of Out2Win Sports. To date, Adler has built legitimate traction with Out2Win, and has the goal of continuing to build the venture past his days as a college student.

Also receiving a special recognition was Natasha Brao ‘22 G’23 for the Graduate Student Entrepreneurship award. This award is present for exhibiting the most entrepreneurial leadership out of the Graduate class.

Honorable mention to Noah Mechnig-Giordano ’22 G’23, founder of Happy Loose-Leaf Tea and Aidan Mickleburgh ’23 G’23, founder of Intervea.

Jack Adler ’23 recently returned to Pennsylvania as a panelist at the 2023 Penn State Sports Business Conference to share his knowledge of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and how the industry will help college athletes grow in the future. He described it as, “a fantastic event that brought together a diverse group of sport business professionals and students.”

The Penn State Sports Business Conference provides professionals the opportunity to connect with students pursuing a career in the sports industry. It featured various keynote speakers, including NFL Veteran and Entrepreneur, Brandon Copeland and Mason Champion from Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment. Along with representatives from Vayner Sports, 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Out2Win Sports and more.

“I had the privilege of speaking on the “Name, Image, and Likeness” panel, where I discussed the current trends within the industry alongside three other experts. The panel provided a valuable platform to share my experiences and insights, and I enjoyed engaging with the attendees in a lively discussion,” says Adler.

Adler is a dynamic senior studying Entrepreneurship & Emerging Enterprises and Marketing Management in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. He is the founder and CEO of Out2Win Sports, a creative marketing agency helping college athletes and brands take advantage of NIL. To date, Adler has built legitimate traction with Out2Win, and has the goal of continuing to build the venture past his days as a college student.

He is a Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad entrepreneur in residence and mentor who assist fellow students who are in the process of developing their own ideas for ventures. He has created employment and internship opportunities for Syracuse University students as the company has scaled.

In addition to paneling, his company, Out2Win Sports tabled the event to connect with students seeking recruitment opportunities and representatives from other companies such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Harris & Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, and Wasserman.

The event brought together students, alumni, and professionals in 41 of the 50 states, 13 countries, and 5 of the 7 continents.

The Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University is pleased to invite all designers, creators, producers, artisans, and small business owners to apply to its first Freelance & Small Business Competition on Friday, April 21st from 12-3pm with $600 in prize funding. 

This competition is specifically designed for students who are building a career or side hustle providing services or creating products. The competition will be judged in two different categories: Freelancing and Small Business. Freelancing includes individuals specializing in services such as graphic design, web development, videography, photography, software development, writing, and any other professional service. Small Business focuses on artisans hoping to sell their artwork, craft, and creations of all forms. 

The application asks students to submit an executive summary of their business (templates found here) with a portfolio or photo examples of their work.

The competition asks students to present a 4 minute pitch of their business, focusing on their previous work and the unique value they bring to their product or service market. While competitors are not required to have an established business before entering in the competition they are expected to show previous work. Competitors will be asked to present a plan for the awarded funds in the case of winning the competition.

Judges will pick winners based on categories of professionalism, targeted market focus, portfolio, creative ability, and unique market value. There will be two winners in the Freelancer category and two winners in the Small Business category, with each winner receiving up to $200!

Applications close for the competition on Friday, April 16th. The application can be submitted here, and further competition information will be forwarded to all applicants. Please visit the LaunchPad on the first floor of Bird Library if you would like mentorship while preparing your executive summary or pitch. 

For any additional information or questions please contact competition directors Sasha Temerte atemerte@syr.edu or Claire Howard clhoward@syr.edu. 

The LaunchPad is the university’s resource center and accelerator for students looking to pursue owning their own business or building a side hustle. We warmly welcome all student freelancers and artisans to enter the Freelance & Small Business Competition for a chance to showcase their talent and receive funding for their future. 

Story by Claire Howard ’23, LaunchPad Global Fellow; photo supplied

Twenty-nine Syracuse student startup teams captured $30,000 in combined funding from this year’s RvD iPrize Competition and Spirit of Excellence Awards sponsored by the iSchool and hosted by the Blackstone LaunchPad. Associate Dean of Syracuse University Libraries, Scott Warren and Bruce Kingma, Professor of Entrepreneurship, Syracuse University School of Information Studies joined in making the awards. The event support innovation and student entrepreneurship which is an excellent reflection of both iSchool dean Von Dran and Hunter Brooks Watson legacies.

iSchool dean Raymond Von Dran, who served from 1995 until his passing in 2007, was a longtime academic entrepreneur and staunch supporter of student innovation.

The Hunter Brooks Watson Memorial Fund, also known as Hunter’s Fund, was founded in honor of Hunter, a young man whose life was tragically cut short in a car accident. The Spirit of Excellence Awards recognize young people working on innovative ideas that can make our lives better.

This year’s iPrize winners included nine student startup teams who won $2,000 each:

This year’s Spirit of Excellence Awardees were four student entrepreneurs who won $2,500 each:

We’re so incredibly thankful to Jack Rose, our Hunter Brooks Watson Scholar, volunteers Jack Ramza, Claire Howard, and Ciana Steller, and a stellar group of judges for their contributions to this event.