Summer is a great time to explore ideas and we were thrilled with the great ones that came out of our first ever virtual Syracuse University LaunchPad SummerStart Accelerator which recently wrapped up with a global Innovation Showcase. More than 25 teams from around the world enrolled in the program and the top 12 were selected to be part of the on-line demo day to alumni entrepreneur judges from around the world. SummerStartup teams participated in weekly workshops and guest presentations by top entrepreneurs and subject matter experts, along with sessions with world class mentors from the Techstars network during the six-week accelerator program. It was an intense and exhilarating bootcamp that rapidly accelerated ideas along the development cycle. Judges were impressed by how much work the teams accomplished over the summer, and by the professionalism of their final pitches were. Here are the teams selected for the Innovation Showcase. We are excited to continue working with them this fall at the LaunchPad

Venture	Founders	Description
Blended	Manvi Upadhyay and Sonia Hui Ting Wee	Youth-led non-profit dedicated to empowering the international community studying at Syracuse University to make informed decisions about their futures through connections in the domestic and global space.
EcoBamboo Living	Justin Diaz	A sustainable company focused on architectural design of bamboo homes, and construction of beautiful, affordable bamboo homes.
GeckStrips	Calvin S Atieku	Gecko inspired adhesive technology that improves the way you hang or attach whatever you need. “It’s never too heavy to hang”.
Inkdustrial	Courtney S Jiggetts	A software platform that integrates all components of design and project management into one seamless program.
OthersideAI	Miles Feldstein	AI powered software to change the way we write, offering incredibly intuitive, accurate and efficient solutions
OurChosenName	Aley O’Mara	Provides pronouns, gender, and preferred name advisory consulting to companies looking to build and maintain a welcoming and inclusive working environment.
ShaMoon	Nicolas Alexander Misita	ShaMoon gives visibility and connection to the creative community by offering high- quality branded clothing in connection to relevant original content.
Snow School Productions	Connor Lawrence Johnson	A Syracuse University based production company that will connect the arts like never before. Producing short films and other content while promoting communication and collaboration between SU programs.
Solace Vision	Alec O’Del and Shawn Gaetano	Helping people overcome debilitating phobias by the use of Virtual Reality, which improves their quality of life by gaining control of the phobia.
SYMBTC	Marin Grillo	A software platform to create networks and mentor relationships.
Tableau Media	Gabriela Holliman-Lopez and Hanna Seraji	An online magazine centering marginalized voices through art, creative writing, poetry, illustration, de-stigmatization of topics around mental health awareness, and other inter- disciplinary writings in humanities and social sciences.
TravSolo	Chizoba Anyaoha	A digital platform for travelers and adventurers on solo journeys, who want to meet people, and stay safe – all the while sharing memories on-the-go.

Thanks to our alumni judges and guest evaluators who were so instrumental in making the program such a success:

Jason Kuperberg, Silicon Valley based, Innovation Specialist and Teaching Fellow, Stanford University Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab, former winner of Syracuse University Impact Prize and campus Hult Prize winner, expertise in innovation design

Elizabeth Ruscitto, Boston and Silicon Valley based consultant, formerly Director of Developer Programs and Platform Integration at Leap Motion, and Director of Developer Relations for HubSpot, now focused on mission-driven, tech-enabled innovation

Kennedy Patlan, Washington DC based, U.S. Venture Operations, Ashoka (world’s leading change-making nonprofit) , formerly Assistant Campaign Manager at the Ad Council, advertising, marketing communications expertise, with a passion for impact entrepreneurship and diverse, inclusive voices and perspectives

Mike Lemp, New York State based, Product Manager at Hill-Rom (formerly Welch Allyn), formerly Product Manager and Sales, CONMED Corporation, Fulbright Scholar, expertise in product development, particularly within the medical and health sectors

Caleb Obiagwu, New York, London and Nigeria based, consultant and triple serial entrepreneur, founder of three computer science, engineering and software companies, skilled in tech  development, rapid prototyping, creation of MVPs, strategy, talent and team building

Jeannine Rogers, Syracuse based, Program Manager at The Tech Garden, formerly co-founder/“creative jedi” at leading communications and design company, Williams Sonoma manager, expertise in program design, marketing, as well as business development

Thanks also to our amazing 2019 – 2020 LaunchPad student team who worked with the SummerState Accelerator participants as coaches and organized “Mentor Madness” as part of the summer experience. They included: Alec Gillinder ’20, Claire Howard ’23, Emma Rothman ’21, Matt Shumer ’23, Patrick Prioletti G 21, Quinn King ’20, Sam Hollander ’22, Victoria Lawson ’20, Will DeVito ’20, David Fox ’19, Kesley Davis ’19 and G 20 and Emily Pearson ’21. We are so grateful for their work supporting the summer program, as well as the invaluable contributions they made to the startups across the Syracuse University campus during the entire 2019 – 2020 academic year in their roles as Rubin Family Innovation Mentors and Global Fellows.

Finally, and most importantly, thanks to Nick Barba ’20, who co-ran the summer program in his new role as LaunchPad project manager as an independent contractor. Nick is a Whitman finance grad, long-time member of the LaunchPad, venture founder, University Scholar and Whitman Scholar, and was also a 2020 Blackstone – Techstars LaunchPad Summer Fellow. Nick was an incredible asset helping organize and manage the summer program, and we are so delighted that he will be continuing in his role as project manager as an independent contractor this academic year at the LaunchPad.

Upstate Venture Connect, a non-profit that connects high-growth founders in Upstate NY, is looking for a part-time marketing associate intern this fall to help create and manage daily marketing campaigns that assist in securing sponsors and promoting talent. The position is remote.

Skills in a candidate should include:

• Passion for innovation and entrepreneurship
• Ability to work independently and remotely
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience with WordPress, Mailchimp, Google Suite, Zoom and Slack

Responsibilities for the role include:

• Content Creation including:
  • Adding / Approving Events to the UNY Events Calendar
  • Social Posts (various channels)
  • Post Blogs on WordPress Site
• Creating Newsletters in Mailchimp
• Creating Graphics in Canva
• Editing Short Videos in TBA cloud editing software
• Management / Reporting including:
  • File / Folder Updates (Google Drive, Airtable, other)
  • Updating Contacts / Lists in Mailchimp
  • Updating Social Channels
• Growth-hacking / List Building / Community Responses
• Tracking Analytics / Preparing Reports (social and Google Analytics)

Compensation / Time Commitment

• $15 / hr
• 5-10 hours / week
• More hours available based on performance

Send resume and cover letter to: Kathryn@UVC.org

Learn about UVC at  uvc.org

COVID-19 has challenged millions of people to adapt to working remotely.  This fall, it will be common to split time between working from home and going into an office.  That may be a change that’s permanent, even post-pandemic, as people appreciate the flexibility that comes with a hybrid model.  In fact, a recent two-year Stanford study shows and astonishing productivity boost that comes from working from home, especially in a hybrid model.  As businesses contemplate the future of physical locations and embrace a workforce that is partly remote, one thing is still certain.  People still want a way to connect and be part of a community.  Not surprisingly, co-working spaces are creating ways to do that by moving networking online.  The LaunchPad is doing that this fall through a new platform that can help innovators expand networks without going into an office every day.

Enter Discord, the Syracuse LaunchPad’s new digital networking platform, chat room and resource network that allows SU innovators to communicate over voice, video, and text.  Discord can connect like-minded innovators and creatives with peer mentors to get advice, build their network, or just hang out with fellow like-minded entrepreneurs.  It’s Slack meets Zoom with a pinch of Reddit, all in one place, curated on LaunchPad Discord. 

Start by joining the LaunchPad here and then hop on LaunchPad Discord here.

Discord is a freeware instant messaging, VoIP application and digital software platform that features integrated text, image, video and audio communication that a chat channel that can run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and in web browsers.  More than 250 million people are currently on the platform which launched in 2011 and has become the space for building community in a digital environment. 

The Syracuse LaunchPad Discord channel is organized by categories such as onboarding, announcements, community space, discussion rooms and mentor network with voice, text and video channels. If you are looking to collaborate with others, exploring the channels is a great way to build a team, find help, connect with a mentor or other entrepreneurs, and follow what other members of the LaunchPad are up.

Nick Barba ‘20 helped spearhead the new Syracuse LaunchPad Discord platform and will coordinate it in his new role as a project manager for the LaunchPad.  For questions about how it works, reach out to Nick directly at ntbarba@syr.edu if you need help getting on-boarded. 

We’re excited to see how much digital harmony we can foster with a little creative “discord.”  Click here to get started using the new Syracuse LaunchPad Discord.

If you’ve been inside the LaunchPad on the first floor of Bird Library, you know that it was designed for creative collaboration. It’s a spot where ideas happen in a common coworking space that is full of innovative conversations. That’s all a little different this fall. Like so many other networking spaces around the country, we’re launching new events, activities and programs in the digital world, while still maintaining the network of support that makes the LaunchPad so indispensible to people who crave being part of a connected community.

The LaunchPad re-opens Monday, August 24 with some new nuances. Following public health recommendations, it will operate primarily through virtual programming with reduced density, and a rotating staff schedule that allows for a hybrid in-person and remote service model.  The glass cube will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with meetings by appointment only.  No drop-ins are allowed, and there is no evening and weekend key access except for classes in the LaunchPad that were scheduled in the registrar’s system.  We’ll miss being the literal home to so many student organizations that operated out of the space evenings and weekends, and who are also moving into the digital events sphere.

While the hours of in-person services are different, the LaunchPad is greatly expanding its student team this academic year to add more capacity and provide even greater access to virtual support services. Professional staff will be available either in person or virtually, each weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  After hours and weekend mentoring will now be accessible virtually by scheduling on-line meetings with top-notch student peer mentors.

To manage density, there will be room limits in the LaunchPad and only those with pre-scheduled appointments with staff or mentors will be admitted.  Those with appointments are asked to text when they arrive to be admitted.  Tables and chairs in the LaunchPad are reduced to be in conformance with social distancing guidelines, face masks are now required at all times in the LaunchPad.

Teams of up to two or three people may work in the LaunchPad group meeting area if they have pre-reserved and if space allows.  Times will be allocated on a first-come first-serve reservation basis.  Usage will be monitored, and teams must text when they arrive for their reservations to be admitted.

Reservations for individual appointments or team meetings may be made by e-mailing LaunchPad@syr.edu.

Thanks for being accomodating as we put safety first. The LaunchPad will look, feel and operate a little differently this fall semester, but we know that we will be united by our desire to come together as a connected, creative community, whatever shape that takes. Above all else, we will continue to collaborate and innovate to deliver best-in-class programs and services.

One way you can stay connected is to join our new online community platform to communicate over voice, video, and text, connect with peer mentors, get advice, or just hang out with fellow like-minded innovators using Discord.  It’s Slack meets Zoom with a pinch of Reddit, all in one place, curated on LaunchPad Discord.  Join the LaunchPad Discord channel here, and connect in real time.

Discord is a freeware instant messaging, VoIP application and digital software platform that features integrated text, image, video and audio communication that a chat channel that can run on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and in web browsers.  It truly is a virtual LaunchPad — if not in real life, at least very much in real time.

Nick Barba ‘20 who is working for the LaunchPad this semester as an independent program manager, is managing the Discord platform along with Rubin Family Innovation Mentors Patrick Prioletti and Emma Rothman (pictured above). For questions about Discord and how to use it to say connected, contact Nick at ntbarba@syr.edu

Fall is already shaping up to to be a busy season for campus innovation events. Here are key dates to book now for speakers, activities and competitions with cash prizes. Stay tuned across all social media channels @LaunchPadSYR for program details and links news stories about each event.

Annual campus wide events that will be virtual

September 11 – 12, 2020 – Panasci Business Plan Competition sponsored by Whitman with $20,000 in prizes

October 16, 2020 – Cuse Tank sponsored by the LaunchPad as part of Family Weekend that features parent entrepreneurs as judges with $10,000 in prizes. Watch for details.

October 23, 2020 – Orange Tank, Whitman student and recent alumni competition, featuring distinguished alumni as judges, $20,000 in prizes. Applications opening soon. Watch for details.

October 23 – 25, 2020 – LaunchPad Startup Weekend co-sponsored by the LaunchPads at SUNY Buffalo, Syracuse University and Cornell University, sponsored by The Blackstone Charitable Foundation and Techstars. Applications opening soon. Watch for details.

October 29 – November 1, 2020 – Special LaunchPad events as part of Orange Central Weekend, with Founders Circle alumni events, panel presentations and guest speakers who are alumni entrepreneurs. Watch for details.

November 13, 2020 – Impact Prize Competition, social impact entrepreneurship event, with social impact entrepreneurs as judges, $15,000 in prizes. Applications opening soon. Watch for details.

November 16 – 22, 2020 —  Global Entrepreneurship Week (a series of panel discussions during the week with international entrepreneur alumni Zooming in from around the world, co-presented this year with WeMedia Lab, Globalists, and Blended. Watch for details.

December 4, 2020 – Syracuse University Hult Prize competition. Applications open later this fall based on the global competition schedule. Watch for details.

New special virtual events this fall:

Syracuse LaunchPad IdeaX, tentatively set for Saturday, September 26, a virtual mini startup “rocket lab” co-hosted with student organizations to jumpstart new ideas and build the pipeline for new students.  Built on the idea of jumpstarting ideas and teams. 

Virtual Mentor Week, set for November 9 -13, in partnership with the Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars global network. Network with top advisors, mentors, founders and industry executives from across Techstars who will be generously volunteering for a week of virtual meetings to help start, seed and grow ideas that are coming out of the 32 universities now in the network. Watch for details to be invited to participate.

Diversity and Inclusion programming with SOYL (Supporting Our Young Leaders), a Black and Latinx youth leadership venture that started in the Syracuse LaunchPad, now a community-based diversity initiative.  Kicks off at the Commonspace in downtown Syracuse, and runs once a month through the fall. Dates and topics to be announced. Follow Instagram: soyltalks; Twitter: soyltalks; and Facebook: SOYL Talks for great posts and program details.

Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars Social Impact Fellowship, from October 19 to December 11, will be stipend-based opportunities for the top 50 students at each of the 32 universities in the global network who are working on social impact ventures. Nominations are open to all active LaunchPad members who are currently enrolled as graduate or undergraduate students working on a product, technology, service or non-profit venture idea with a deep civic or social impact. Applicants must be a founder or co-founder. Requires a strong recommendation letter from the campus LaunchPad executive director. Programming is provided by Techstars with support from each campus. Fellowship awards are made by Techstars, the Blackstone Charitable Foundation and the program partners, and not by campus directors. Nominations are primarily by campus directors, although open applications will be accepted. Applications will be open August 31 and close on September 18.

Future Founders U.Pitch College Startup Pitch Competition in partnership with the Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars global network, with $10,000 in prizes. Applications will be due September 30. Watch for details.

LaunchPad Friday Fireside Chats, 3 p.m. weekly, coordinated by the Syracuse University LaunchPad at SU Libraries, with inspirational business leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in virtual sessions. Dates:  September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 23, 30; November 6, 20. Open to faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. Watch for details.

LaunchPad Thursday Technical Workshops, 3 p.m. weekly, coordinated by the Syracuse University LaunchPad at SU Libraries, with subject matter experts offering practical advice on the most common questions asked by those exploring the startup world. Open to faculty, staff, students, alumni and the community. Dates:  September 4, 10, 17, 24: October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19.

In keeping with good public health guidelines, all of these events will be virtual this fall. We encourage you to stay engaged by reading our newsletter, following us on social media, and checking our website and news page for weekly updates.

Join CenterState CEO and The Tech Garden for these events over the next month:

Diversity and Women in Tech with Dr. Erica Mitchell and Latisia Hall-Cannon, Tuesday, August 18, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Join Generation Next for a special series highlighting the distinct experiences that women have in tech. Hear from two dynamic speakers, Dr. Erica Mitchell, Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources Research Group leader from the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, and Latisia Hall- Cannon, Quality Program Manager at Lockheed Martin. Centered as a celebration of diversity, this series aims to create more awareness and advocacy for women doing amazing work in tech related fields. Attendees must register to receive information on how to participate.

The Tech Garden Webinar: How to Pitch to Investors in Under 10 Minutes, Wednesday, August 19, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Join The Tech Garden for an interactive webinar with award-winning high stakes presentation coach, Nathan Gold. You will learn how to craft and deliver your best elevator pitch to attract investors. Nathan Gold, also known as The Demo Coach, hails from the San Francisco Bay Area where he coaches entrepreneurs globally on how to prepare for high-stakes speaking opportunities and how to harness speaking anxiety. Cost: Free. Attendees must register to receive information on how to participate in the webinar.

Tech & Culture Speaker Series with Evan Williams, Composer/Conductor, Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  The Tech and Culture Speaker Series is devoted to promoting diversity, inclusion, and belonging in tech related fields. The series will highlight diverse speakers who are currently leading in the tech industry and allow them to share their personal stories, which will inspire, motivate and transform the mindset of the diverse audiences. The speaker for the upcoming program is Evan Williams a composer/conductor. His work reflects inspirations from the Baroque, Romanticism, Modernism, Minimalism, contemporary popular music, and everything in between. Williams’ music has been performed across the country and internationally in Canada, Italy, and Switzerland. This event is sponsored by JPMORGAN CHASE&CO. Cost: Free. Attendees must register to receive information on how to participate.

Personal Financial Preparedness Series, With Vicki Brackens, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Join CenterState CEO’s Generation Next for this special, three part financial preparedness series, presented by Vicki Brackens, president and financial planner, Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC. Brackens will share how the next generation of leaders can begin to think about finances and financial management differently in order to be prepared for the things that happen in life, particularly in times of crisis. Each week, participants will take away tools, information and strategies to get themselves and their families through the next part of their lives, including managing earnings in a manner that prepares for rainy days. Cost: Free. Attendees must register to receive information on how to participate in the webinar.

The Tech Garden: GENIUS NY Pitch Finals, Thursday, September 17, 4:00 p.m.  Join The Tech Garden and CenterState CEO as we give away $3 million in awards to the five startups in the 2020 GENIUS NY accelerator cohort. Each team will get 5 minutes to tell their story – who they are, what problem they’re solving, how they plan to scale, and why they want to do it in Central New York! Following the pitch there will be a Q/A from our judges. Throughout the premiere there will be chances for the audience to get involved and win prizes. Attendees must register to receive information on how to participate.

Leadership Lessons from 7 Inspirational Influencers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  A new interactive take on CenterState’s popular 7 Habits event.  Hear from seven influential executives and community leaders. Each will share a leadership lesson that has shaped how they manage, motivate themselves and others, and build success in their lives and careers. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with the speakers through breakout sessions and take away inspiring new approaches to be more effective and impactful in their personal and professional life. Cost: $17 for members ; $27 for non-members. Presented by D’Arcangelo & Co. LLP.

For more information and to register for any of these events, please visit the events page at the CenterState CEO website: https://www.centerstateceo.com/news-events/events

The Syracuse University College of Law Innovation Law Center (ILC) is once again partnering with the Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars at Syracuse University Libraries to hold office hours for innovators and inventors this academic year.

Law students will lend their technical expertise to SU innovators working to commercialize their ideas at bi-weekly office hours.  Third year Syracuse University law students working with the LaunchPad this coming 2020 – 2021 academic year include:  Viviana Bro, Kaitlyn Crobar, Nikkia Knudsen, Rickson Galvez, Sohela Suri and Sehseh Sanan. Hours for the 2020 – 2021 academic year are below:

Fall 2020:

• Wednesday, September 2: (3-5 p.m.) Nikkia Knudsen
• Thursday, September 17: (3-5 p.m.) Sohela Suri
• Wednesday, September 30: (3-5 p.m.) Kaitlyn Crobar
• Thursday, October 15: (3-5 p.m.) Sehseh Sanan
• Wednesday, October 28: (3-5 p.m.) Rickson Galvez
• Wednesday, November 11: (1-3 p.m.) Viviana Bro

 Spring 2021:

• Thursday, January 28: (3-5 p.m.) Sohela Suri
• Wednesday, February 10: (3-5 p.m.) Nikkia Knudsen
• Thursday, February 25: (3-5 p.m.) Sehseh Sanan
• Wednesday, March 10: (3-5 p.m.) Kaitlyn Crobar
• Thursday, March 25: (3-5 p.m.) Rickson Galvez
• Wednesday, April 7: (1-3 p.m.) Viviana Bro

From market landscapes to intellectual property protection, to licensing options and potential funding sources, the ILC helps companies turn their technology into a commercial reality.  While the ILC does not file for or prosecute patents, and does not provide legal advice or opinions, the LaunchPad can refer inventors and entrepreneurs to IP law firms to implement patent, trademark, copyright filings, licensing agreements and other legal work.

In the past two years, the partnership between the ILC and the LaunchPad helped Syracuse University students produce solid patent research and landscape reports that positioned them for winnings in campus, state and national business plan competitions.  Additionally, working collaboratively with programs such as Invent@SU, students were able to complete patent searches that helped them file more than 60 provisional patents, and go on to work with outside counsel to turn seven of them into non-provisional patent applications.  The Innovation Law Center helped Syracuse startups with four aspects of developing a comprehensive landscape: IP, competition, market and regulatory environment. Notable Syracuse University ventures who directly benefitted from this were In-Spire, MedUX and SugEx, as well as many other student inventors.

Many inventors and entrepreneurs aren’t aware of the myriad legal and regulatory challenges their business or technology is facing. The ILC (and the New York State Science and Technology Law Center which it oversees) utilizes the experience and expertise of faculty and law students to analyze legal, regulatory, and market issues relating to commercializing new technologies. Research is compiled into proprietary reports to help clients identify potential challenges such as protecting intellectual property and devise effective strategies to bring emerging technologies to market. ILC students have completed hundreds of research projects on real technologies on behalf of universities, federal research laboratories, technology development organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs.

The ILC is the first program of its kind in the country to provide law students the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams to provide intellectual property, market, and regulatory research to clients commercializing new technologies.  It is considered a leader in providing informed IP, market, and regulatory research to startups, established companies, and tech transfer offices that are fostering innovation economy jobs.

To schedule an appointment with the ILC team, e-mail LaunchPad@syr.edu. Reservations are highly suggested to plan for individual time.  Appointments during the pandemic will be by video conferencing.

The LaunchPad welcomes Bridget Lawson as Assistant Director of The SOURCE (Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement), located on the second floor of Bird Library. Bridget was previously coordinator of academic services with Syracuse University’s CSTEP (Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program) and has supported diverse students in both higher education and K-12 environments. She brings a strong background of implementing academic success initiatives, preparing students for research opportunities, and facilitating diversity, equity, community-based, and social justice activities. Having earned an MSW degree, Bridget is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University. We look forward working with SOURCE Director Kate Hanson and Bridget Lawson to support and engage with SOURCE scholars, many of whom are also innovators, inventors, creatives and entrepreneurs.

Syracuse University alumni, friends and venture founders Caleb Obiagwu and Anthony Obas headline this week’s Talk Tea, the LaunchPad’s summer series in partnership with The Republic of Tea.  The talks feature conversations by thought leaders on topics related to innovation and entrepreneurship. Join us Wednesday, July 22 at 3 p.m. on Zoom for a conversation about NextGen leadership, empowerment, equity, diverse voices, as well as supporting Black businesses and creative Afropreneurship.   Zoom link here.

Engineering and Computer Science grad Caleb Obiagwu is a serial entrepreneur who created three award-winning ventures as a student at Syracuse University – SYRE Tech LLC, AttendPro, and most recently, SafeLoot. As Obiagwu actively supported the Black Lives Matter movement across the country this spring, he saw an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses in local communities that had already faced hardships from the pandemic. Some were struggling to sustain and re-open, and had been vandalized or damaged through early protests.  He realized many business owners did not have resources to rebuild, and as an entrepreneur, he wanted to do something positive to protect and support them.  Together, with friends Brandon Elliott and John-Paul Besong, they created a tech platform to showcase Black-owned businesses, working first with businesses in Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Manhattan, Queens and Syracuse. Over the past few months, the platform has quickly gained momentum and attention from the media. As it evolves, the larger goal is to expand it as a broader platform to create visibility and support for Black-owned businesses as part of a national movement.

As a senior, Obiagwu created the award-winning venture AttendPro, which won the Impact Prize competition sponsored by the LaunchPad. As a junior he built SYRE Tech LLC to revolutionize the way we receive content by developing looking glass, an innovative window technology that serves as a digital display.  He created SafeLoot after graduation, before heading off to join a top consulting firm as an intrapreneur. Starting three ventures as a student was a realization of a goal he had set for himself before even coming to Syracuse. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, England, Obiagwu grew up in an environment he described as “civilized and refined.” Attending a boarding school from an early age, he was encouraged to follow the status quo, work as a part of the system and value comfort over his ambitions. Despite valuable experiences during those years — attending a Harvard leadership program, the Global Young Leaders Conference and serving as class captain for his high school — he yearned for something more.  While he could have attended a prestigious university in England, Obiagwu fell in love with what many call ‘the American dream.’ From nearly 3,500 miles away, he saw America as a land of opportunity, a culture that valued innovation and a home to risk-takers. This vision drove him to convince his parents to enroll him at Syracuse University.

Coming in as an engineering and computer science major, his plan was to get good grades, graduate, get a job and then start a successful company. But as he puts it, “Life happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Sitting in an introductory chemistry class with partner and fellow SU student, Zachariah Reid, the two came face-to-face with a question many young dreamers ask themselves, “Why are we doing this if we’re not passionate about it?” Together, they assembled a team with vision, business savvy, technical and mechanical skills, and knowledge of computer and digital technologies to create SYRE Tech (standing for “something you rarely expect”). From there, Caleb took the concept through business plan competitions, and also developed a second concept for AttendPro, after interning at a large company with a property management and maintenance issues that need ingenuity. He took the prototype to the Impact Prize, where he won a top award. This spring, Obiagwu brought the same approach to creating SafeLoot, assembling a team with strong technical know-how, clarity of vision and work ethic to quickly build execute.

Literally by his side on his Syracuse journey has been his good friend and roommate Anthony Obas, a recent Whitman grad who is an independent artist, brand consultant, and author of the book, “Shifting Your Music Into A Career– A Guide For Independent Artists To Be Full Time Artists.”  The self-published book gives self-releasing artists insights and advice on how to turn their part-time music career into a full time career, taking on various case studies from mainstream artists, to personal observations, and research from other music business writers.  It simplifies these into basic instructions on how to do music full time, and pursue what artists love to do, which is produce creative works.

Obas has always aspired to make a difference. Growing up in Harlem, New York, he was deeply invested in his community throughout his childhood. Involved in sports teams and other local involvements. His confidence is a by-product of solid relationships, community involvement and a supportive family. Empowered by his environment, he was admittedly, “a very confident kid.” The positivity of his environment was affirming, encouraging him to keep his ambitions and goals limitless. His transition to the all-boys and Catholic, Xavier High School, was a challenge. Searching for ways to combat these feelings, Obas gravitated towards athletics and other leadership positions, becoming a key player on Xavier’s track and football teams and winning multiple awards for his service and advocacy. As a member of these teams, he found a stable social group that was supportive, reminiscent of how he was brought up. With this sense of community, he began to flourish.

Heading into the college admissions process, Anthony wished to put himself in a place where he could find community, pursue his ambitions and expand his network. He chose Syracuse University, a school which would give him the opportunities, teachings and access he needed.  Developing skills in television and radio, blogging and event planning, Obas began working with the on-campus radio station, WERW as a freshman. Here he excelled, both in his social media coordinator position, as well as within his own radio show. “WERW gave me the space to be creative. It gave me the creative room to work and explore.”

During his sophomore year, he served as the Director of Operations for a label called Voiceless Music. While simultaneously handling company finances, he popularized a blog on the labels’ website. Producing high-quality content on a regular basis, he learned how to connect with an audience through written word and how to use them as tools to achieve his goals.  By hosting events like the Voiceless Music Meetup, This is Upstate, and multiple other events on campus during his student years, Obas created spaces for creatives and entrepreneurs to network with each other and exchange ideas.

His brand has recently gained notoriety throughout upstate New York and New York City, through his exciting events and entertaining #ObasRants. His well-attended events, charming personality and growing social media presence have helped his personal brand continue to grow. As his impact grows, so does he, saying, “I can’t separate my business and my personal because it goes hand in hand.”

While at Syracuse he also became very engaged with Supporting Our Young Leaders (SOYL) Talks, an initiative that originally started in the LaunchPad in the summer of 2016 by Kevin Claiborne, and continued under the leadership of Seth Colton Dollar.  SOYL Talks are sponsored by Children of the Summer in collaboration with the Gifford Foundation, and moderated each month by Obas.  The free monthly lecture series connects students and entrepreneurs ranging from late middle school to college students with young professionals and local/state/international entrepreneurs. Each month presents speak, followed by audience Q&A and networking. In addition, SOYL Talks also include the ever-growing social media video series SOYL in “60” – following the same format of the traditional “talks” but withing a 60-second video.  SOYL Talks events are currently held in the Syracuse area, but are looking to expand.

Obas says his biggest lesson is to always remain positive. “One thing my brand is so strong about is making sure I’m positive all the time,” he says.  Post-graduation he is translating his knowledge and momentum into his venture, Guided by Obas, which is an independent consulting agency, looking to “take artists and brands that are good and make them better.” Built on principles of personal and brand growth, Obas predicts this agency will be different, “emphasizing collaboration, and working with others, instead of working for them,” a value he has gravitated towards, his whole life. He launched his book tour earlier this summer in Brooklyn at an event with performances by Meko Sky, Twelve E, and Jesediah, and then again at Syracuse in the LaunchPad where he is an active member.  He has also curated live events such as “This is Upstate,” where artists from the upstate New York area competed for bragging rights for their respective home cities. Now, based in the Harlem area, he is producing events in the metropolitan area but remains engaged with the Syracuse community.

One of the LaunchPad’s favorite social media platforms is Obas’ series of rants, appropriately titled, “#Obasrants,” which help him to communicate his vision with the masses. From the development of local artists to not having hot water in his apartment or unrelenting fireworks during a pandemic, Obas finds a way to keep a smile on his face while ranting about what matters to him, and being a positive role model for creative entrepreneurs and young leaders.

Both Obiagwu and Obas are engaged alumni and members of the LaunchPad’s Founders Circle, helping others build mission-driven ventures with meaningful social impact. Their voices have helped shape the LaunchPad’s perspective on diversity, inclusion, equity and social justice, and they is an impressive thought leader on these topics.  We hope you can join us for an enjoyable and thought-provoking conversation.

This story based on previous spotlight posts by Jalen Nash ’20 , Blackstone LaunchPad Global Media Fellow, as previously published in LaunchPad news.