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Blackstone LaunchPad to host new Lunch&Learn series starting March 8

Justin Gluska ’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), LaunchPad digital innovation team specialist, hosted a Lunch&Learn about researching, creating, and promoting engaging content with ChatGPT on Wednesday, February 8.

Interested in trying your hand at graphic design? Always wanted to publish your writing, but not sure how? Struggling to figure out how your business’s tax forms should be filled out? 

Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University is pleased to announce its new Lunch & Learn workshop series focused on providing students with tangible skills for their career, whether in starting their own business or working for another company. This series, taught by students in the LaunchPad community is a casual, conversational hour for students to share their expertise and skill sets with each other over a provided lunch. 

The series kicks off on March 8th at 12pm with a session on Athlete Marketing hosted by Jack Adler ’23, studying in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Adler is the Founder and CEO of Out2Win Sports, a company which creates content partnerships between athletes and brands. As CEO, he’s partnered athletes with brands such as NBC Sports, Carhartt, and Reebok, and raised over $20,000 in 18 months. In his Lunch and Learn on March 8th, Adler will be sharing his experience and advice for marketing in athletics and building brand partnerships. 

Upcoming Lunch and Learn topics include: 

·      March 24th at 10am, Ethan Tyo ’17, G’22 will host a session on civic engagement and social entrepreneurship with faculty from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Tyo is the founder of the AlterNative Project, which promotes widespread knowledge about Indigenous practices and culture across communities. On the 24th, he’ll explore how he turned cultural installation into a social venture by cultivating a community-oriented network of stakeholders to further developments and opportunities around food sovereignty. 

·      March 29th at 12pm, Cuse Blockchain Vice President Tom Montforte ’23 will be speaking on how Blockchain is currently disrupting industries, as well as providing a general overview on cryptocurrencies and their integration in various industries.  

·      April 5th at 12pm, LaunchPad Innovation Mentor Jack Ramza ’22, G ’23 will discuss fiscal literacy and accounting practices for business owners. With undergraduate expertise in advertising and accounting, and experience in venture founding; Ramza will guide those interested in starting their own business through the often-complicated process of properly caring for business’s finances and speaking the language of business: accounting. 

·      April 12nd at 12pm, LaunchPad Lead Designer Natasha Brao ’22, G‘23 will be presenting on graphic design, freelancing, and branding. Brao, who earned her B.F.A. in Communications Design from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is a self-made entrepreneur with expertise in branding oneself and one’s business. She is currently earning her Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises in Whitman. 

·      April 19th at 1pm, LaunchPad Global Fellow Kelly Davis ’23 will host a session on entrepreneurship as life skills. Davis is the Founder and CEO of Woman-ly, an online platform dedicated to supporting and creating community for women in male-dominated fields. As an established entrepreneur herself, Davis is passionate about utilizing skills of innovation and fearlessness not just in entrepreneurship but in all aspects of life. Davis, who currently works as an intern for MSNBC, will share her experience and advice for intrapreneurship in any company and innovative thinking in day-to-day life. 

·      April 26th at 12pm, LaunchPad Innovation Mentor Ben Ford ’23 will speak on raising capital and finding investors for your business. Ford is the Founder and CEO of FundWurx, a  platform which links charitable organizations and funding needs to individual givers. Well-versed in the hunt for investors and funding sources to launch a startup into a company, Ford will provide insight and advice for pursuing investment. 

Story by Claire Howard, Blackstone LaunchPad Global Fellow; photo supplied  

Motolani Oladitan ‘24 wins Afropreneurship “Fast Pitch” Challenge

Host, Ud Joseph (left) and panelist Brandon Henry, Adore Ellis, Zebedayo Masongo, and Jordan Pierre (right)

Students and young alumni from across the campus and community shared how being entrepreneurs has helped them knock down personal and professional goals. Afropreneurship, a celebration of black entrepreneurs during Black History Month, was organized by Todd B. Rubin Diversity and Inclusion Scholar, Ud Joseph, and sponsored by the LaunchPad.

Ud Joseph guided panelists that included Brandon Henry ’24 (Maxwell), Adore Ellis ’23 (VPA), Jordan Pierre ’23 (Whitman), and Zebedayo Masongo ’23 (School of Law), Syracuse University Alumni Lisa Newcomb, CEO of Thrive in Healing, and LaunchPad Alum Damaris (Koi) Munyua G’22 (Whitman), and community entrepreneur Eli Smith, CEO of So Gone Trash Removal and Eli Smith Contractors — through a dialogue about what Afropreneurs need to succeed.

The panelists explored how generations have defined success, how it is evolving, and where startups can find resources and build networks to succeed. They also discussed why it is vital to help develop businesses in the Black community, and the importance of civic participation.

Motolani Oladitan receives $500 fast pitch challenge award surrounded by other participants and judges

Following the panel presentation, 10 teams presented ideas to solve challenges on campus and in the community. The winner of the $500 Pitch Challenge was Motolani Oladitan for her venture, Ta, 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. Learn more

Attendees listened to panelist, Lisa Newcomb, CEO of Thrive in Healing and Eli Smith, CEO of So Gone Trash Removal and Eli Smith Contractors

Tim Geannopulos inspires the next generation of tech-driven entrepreneurs

Doctor of law and institutional trading technology executive Tim Geannopulos visited Syracuse University’s Blackstone LaunchPad at SU Libraries on January 30, 2023

Tim Geannopulos is no stranger to entrepreneurship and taking risk. He originally joined Trading Technologies (TT) in 1999 and left in 2014 to launch technology firm Neurensic in Chicago. He left the firm, which was focused on compliance and operations software for firms in the financial industry, in 2016.

Geannopulos held the position of Executive Vice President and Head of Sales for more than 15 years before becoming Chairman and CEO. Indeed, the financial technology veteran shared that story, and lessons from more than 20 years in the fields of finance, investment, and software, at the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad to student entrepreneurs.

He joined an intimate roundtable that included Aidan Mickleburgh ’22 G’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science and an MBA from the Whitman), Justin Gluska ’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science) of The ChatGPT Promptbook, Brandon Henry ‘24 (Maxwell School of Citizenship of Public Affairs) of Beyond the Box, Ud Joseph ‘25 (iSchool), Ryan Joaquin Sylvester ’25 (College of Arts and Sciences) and more.

“Find your X-men power at the intersection of what you’re doing and your passion,” said Geannopulos.

Geannopulos provided inspiration to the student entrepreneurs attending the event and shared future opportunities to stay connected. As Chairman and CEO his responsibilities include managing key partner transactions and guide TT through the next chapter of growth and expansion. The role he is most proud of is father to his children, one of which is a student at Syracuse University.

Trading Technologies (TT) creates professional trading software infrastructure and data solutions for a wide variety of users, including proprietary traders, brokers, money managers, CTAs, hedge funds, commercial hedgers and risk managers. In addition to providing access to the world’s major international exchanges and liquidity venues via its TT® trading platform, TT offers domain-specific technology for cryptocurrency trading and machine-learning tools for trade surveillance.

The event was organized by Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad at SU Libraries in partnership with Advancement and External Affairs (AEA).

Source: Trading Technologies

Celebrate Black History Month at Afropreneurship Fri, Feb 24 at Bird Library

Join Syracuse University’s Blackstone LaunchPad on Friday, February 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, first floor of Bird Library, for Afropreneurship, a celebration of black entrepreneurs. Register now

The event will include panel discussions. an open pitch competition, and a networking reception. It is being organized by Todd B. Rubin Diversity and Inclusion Scholar, Ud Joseph ’25 (iSchool), along with Brandon Henry ’24 (Maxwell), Adore Ellis ’23 (VPA), Jordan Pierre ’23 (Whitman), and Zebedayo Masongo ’23 (School of Law).

It will feature entrepreneurs such as Eli Smith, CEO of So Gone Trash Removal and Eli Smith Contractors, Lisa Newcomb, CEO of Thrive in Healing, and LaunchPad Alum Damaris (Koi) Munyua G’22 (Whitman).

A “Fast Pitch Challenge” will offer a $500 first prize for a creative and realistic solution to solve a problem in our community.  The program will be moderated by Ud Joseph, and will showcase a number of Syracuse campus and community black entrepreneurs who are launching ventures.

A highlight of the program will be a feature from a rockstar LaunchPad Alum, Kelsey Davis. It will conclude with a networking reception. All are welcome to attend and commemorate Black History Month at this second annual event.

Register now

Justin Gluska ’23 publishes ChatGPT Promptbook, hosts authors talk luncheon in the LaunchPad on February 8

decorative graphic
Justin Gluska ’23

Justin Gluska ’23 (College of Engineering and Computer Science), LaunchPad digital innovation team specialist, LaunchPad webmaster and Posse Scholar, has just published his first book, “The ChatGPT Promptbook.” He will be giving an author’s talk about researching, creating, and promoting engaging content with ChatGPT on Wednesday, February 8 at noon at the LaunchPad in Bird Library.

The Blackstone LaunchPad has just acquired the book as part of its innovation and entrepreneurship collection at Bird Library. It can also be purchased on-line here.

“ChatGPT revolutionary technology is here to help people across the globe streamline their workflows, improve productivity, and generate new opportunities for success,” says Gluska. “Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, teacher, software engineer, digital marketer, student, or content creator, this book will provide you with creative techniques and examples you need to unlock the full potential of ChatGPT. With 52 real-world examples and actionable techniques, you’ll be able to start using ChatGPT to improve productivity in no time.”

The book explores how to use ChatGPT to create new opportunities, save time, and supercharge your ideas across a number of applications for personal life and business. Featured categories include:

  • Creative Writing
  • Academia and Education
  • Planning and Assistance
  • Marketing and Sales
  • General Business
  • Career Development
  • Coding and Software Development
  • Technical Debugging
  • Entertainment and Lifestyle
  • General Language
  • Music + Song Lyrics
  • Health and Food

Gluska is a well-known website blogger and founder of Gold Penguin, a Miami, Florida-based digital marketing agency. He has leveraged online tools and software to create his own business and decided to author a book to share useful AI tools he has used.

“From ChatGPT to tiny SaaS tools, there are so many new products popping up that anyone can use to optimize their work and personal tasks,” he says. “You don’t have to be a programmer to benefit from ChatGPT. You can be an educator, marketer, student, historian, or digital content creator operating from anywhere.”  

 ChatGPT acts as a conversational chatbot filled with helpful knowledge. Users find it handy for applications as far ranging as from asking life advice to debugging broken code. Gluska’s book explores examples of those uses. It also provides real life examples, including prompts and responses. He suggests that readers pay key attention to how things are being asked: In what order, with what verbiage, and in what requested tone because those variations in prompts result in variations around answers. This book helps readers to better develop prompt engineering skills to produce the most effective results.

“I’ve been using ChatGPT since the day it was released and truly believe our society is on the brink of the next technological breakthrough which will be the Artificial Intelligence revolution.”

The event is open to anyone in the Syracuse University community interested in learning more about ChatGPT. It is free of charge and pizza will be served. To help with planning, or request a link to the recorded session, please e-mail LaunchPad@syr.edu

Syracuse University Blackstone Launchpad to host office hours improve your pitch presentation

Judy “JB” McEnany will join the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad for office hours to help student entrepreneurs improve their pitch and presentation skills starting February 2 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. 

McEnany, received a BA from University of Southwestern Louisiana in Speech and Theater, MA from University of Arkansas in Speech and Children’s Theater, and Ph.D. From Kansas State University in Curriculum and Instruction. She retired from Montana State University Billings College of Education in 2015.

Since retirement, McEnany has taught several innovative English and public speaking courses surrounding topics such as body language, persuasion, psychology of color, and more. She is the House Director at Syracuse University Alpha XI Delta sorority.

Ventures who would like to meet Judy McEnany can stop in during office hours:

  • Thursday, February 2 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday, February 8 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday, February 9 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday, February 16 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Click here to view upcoming Spring competitions and deadlines.

Innovation Law Center Office Hours for LaunchPad Startups Spring 23′

Need help understanding how to protect ideas or creative works? Confused about patents, trademarks and copyrights?  Join the Innovation Law Center Office Hours for LaunchPad Office Hours this spring at this Zoom link.

The Innovation Law Center at SU’s College of Law is partnering with the Blackstone LaunchPad to host office hours for innovators and inventors interested in commercializing their ideas. Meet with student law student experts (SRA’s) to provide information on intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and commercialization research resources. Ask questions on anything related to the technical, legal, and business aspects involved in bringing new technologies to market.

Office hours this spring semester will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. virtually on these days, hosted by the ILC team:

  • Friday, January 27: Claire
  • Friday, February 10: Marc
  • Friday, February 24: Autumn
  • Friday, March 10: Brian
  • Friday, March 24: Hailey
  • Friday, April 14: Brian
  • Friday, April 28: Cecily

While the SU Innovation Law Center does not file for or prosecute patents, and does not provide legal advice or opinions, the LaunchPad and the ILC can help refer inventors and entrepreneurs to IP law firms to implement patent, trademark, copyright filings, licensing agreements and other legal work.

Ask questions — don’t let confusion or uncertainty about the legal aspects of startups stop you from pursuing your idea.

If you’d like to schedule a particular time or private conversation during a scheduled session, please e-mail us at LaunchPad@syr.edu

Alesandra (Sasha) Temerte ’23 named as 2022-23 Luise and Morton Kaish Fellow

student in front of a cave opening

Through the philanthropic gift of Syracuse University alumni and prominent artists Luise ’46, G’51 and Morton Kaish ’49, the Kaish Fellowship program was established in 2021. The program provides funding for undergraduate students from every discipline to undertake original research on the permanent art collection and to work with museum staff on exhibitions, scholarly publications and public programming.

Temerte is a senior at Syracuse University, double majoring in economics and writing and rhetoric studies, with minors in Spanish and strategic management. She is a Coronat Scholar, a member of the Renée Crown Honors Program and a 2022-23 Remembrance Scholar. She has been a LaunchPad Global Fellow throughout her tenure at Syracuse University and is also an entrepreneur. Her LaunchPad writing archive is here.

As a writer, Temerte has been interested in the concept of storytelling through fragments. Through her courses at Syracuse University, her fragmented storytelling approach continues to take shape in prose, depicting stories through the lens of passing moments and snippets of meaning that tell a greater narrative.

Recently, she has explored writing in multimedia forms, often combining prose, poetry, images, and video together. Temerte’s interest in the abstract and the surreal drew her to apply for the Kaish fellowship, and she envisions creating a small booklet of poems for her final project.

Through this opportunity, Temerte plans to work alongside interim Chief Curator Melissa Yuen to explore works of art by both Luise and Morton Kaish, as well as other artists in the permanent collection, which engage with collision and interruption.

The original story appears here.

Rob Goldblatt ’23 takes streetwear to a new level of fashion

Rob Goldblatt ’23

When you first meet Rob Goldblatt, you can’t help but notice his sense of style. His dedication to clothing is visible through his personal sense of fashion, and also through his passion for sustainable streetwear. Goldblatt is a senior from San Francisco studying Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises (EEE) at the Whitman School of Business who wants to take his education and apply it to his own business.

He has always had a unique and thoughtful view of the world, the way he sees people, culture, clothes, fashion, and most importantly, the representation of everyone. In high school, he spent a lot of his time skateboarding and through this experience, he was able to meet and befriend people from all over the San Francisco Bay Area.

In addition to skateboarding, Goldblatt found a passion for hip-hop. He performed in the Bay Area, in high school, and along his journey made new friendships leading him to collaborate with other artists. He realized very early that his relationships with people were key to succeeding, and through these relationships enabled him bootstrap producing his own videos and implementing various guerilla marketing strategies.

As his interest in music grew, it slowly expanded into a different passion. After interning with music publishing and production companies, Goldblatt realized streetwear and hip-hop were ideas he could creatively bring together. Ultimately this led him to pursue his Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises major to redefine fashion.

Goldblatt isn’t creating just a streetwear brand, he’s adding meaning behind it. With the countless experiences he’s had, and his time abroad in Barcelona, Spain, he was able to see how big the world really is. “I want to make sure I’m keeping my brand authentic and my customers are well represented in the clothes I produce, and content I create.”

He says he cares about an individual’s personalities, not money or looks. He wants people to be able to wear his clothes and feel good about supporting a fashion brand that is in line with their value system, supporting ethical supply chain networks.

He wants to make a sustainable product and upcycle clothes, as well as be affordable for a wide range of customers. “I like street fashion, and growing up I was buying Supreme, but it wasn’t sustainable.” His goal is to use materials that are ethically and environmentally sustainable while making a “cool brand.” To exemplify the uniqueness of his company, he plans to develop a website of his own for his buyers, promoted through digital marketing efforts.

Rob’s business is still under development as he believes it’s important to have an understanding and respect for what you’re investing in because it’s important to the success of yourself as well as the customers. He has spent countless hours conducting research on his topic as well as taking entrepreneur classes to ensure the success of his clothing line. Rob also made sure to communicate that he knows he is only scratching the surface of learning what he needs to succeed in the highly competitive and complex fashion industry. After graduation, he is dedicated to learning through hard work and knows that getting his hands dirty in the daily grind of the business will be invaluable.

Goldblatt understands how important it is to maintain a solid brand identity for the clothing business. He feels, “If people don’t believe in you as an individual, your brand probably won’t make it in this industry. You have to be in tune with who you are and what you bring to the table.”

After college, he plans to work for a fashion brand that upholds the values he believes in and where he can learn about the inner workings of a clothing business. He wants to work for a company in LA or NYC that embraces diversity so one day he can start one for himself.

He says, “We overlook the resources we have the privilege of having” but hopes to make a positive change in the right direction with clothes, culture, fashion, streetwear, and style.

Story by Sydney Grosso, Blackstone LaunchPad Global Fellow; photo supplied  

Join Upstate Founders, a new network for student startups, with applications due by December 10

Imagine how much easier entrepreneurship would be if you could brainstorm ideas, get help when you feel stuck, meet others who are on the same journey, inspire each other to move ahead, be held accountable and share resources. Upstate Founders, catalyzed by Clarkson University and supported through upstate ecosystem partners including the LaunchPad, is bringing masterminds and resources to student startups through a free networking and micro credentialing program funded through New York State. Applications are being accepted through December 10, 2022.

Applicants need to be New York State residents and early-stage entrepreneurs — anywhere from “I have an idea” to being in business for up to three years.

Upstate Founders is creating a massive network of 400 entrepreneurs across Upstate NY. All participants will be given access to new resources, including the chance to join an entrepreneurship mastermind. Participants will also get access to online courses in entrepreneurship to earn credentials from Clarkson University.

It is completely free to participants — a value of $7,500, according to network organizers.

Join 400 other student founders and take the journey together. Apply by December 10

Participate in free online micro-credential courses from Clarkson University. Gain instant access to  information to start and grow your business. Listen and learn at your own pace. No exams.

Come to a final graduation party and networking event to meet in person with the Upstate Founders network. Meet mastermind peers, discover programs and resources to support you on your next steps, and celebrate your progress. All those who have completed the programwill receive a Professional Certificate of Completion from Clarkson University.

Learn more here.