Five Syracuse University LaunchPad teams have been selected to participate this week in the third annual LaunchPad Propel, an innovative program aimed at supercharging collegiate entrepreneurs from across the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars global network. MedUX, PAANI, Cllctve, Promptous and Visos will be part of a two day event convening in New York City, joining student entrepreneurs from more than 20 campuses across the U.S. and Ireland. They will gain access to world-class speakers and subject matter experts from the Blackstone and Techstars network of mentors, executives, and advisors. Blackstone President and Chief Operating Officer Jon Gray and founders including Plated CEO Josh Hix, Warby Parker co-CEO Neil Blumenthal, The Muse CEO Kathryn Minshew will help students grow and shape their businesses for greater future success. Industry leading entrepreneurs from Shutterstock, Upsie, M.M.LaFleur and more have also committed to participating as mentors, presenters, and judges at the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars Propel this November.
Kelsey Davis and Brendan O’Keefe of CLLCTVE (pictued above) will have a chance to pitch their SU venture before a panel of judges in order to win $20,000 in cash and prizes plus other resources to accelerate their ventures’ growth. “We are incredibly excited about this opportunity,” said Davis. “It is a tremendous professional development opportunity to grow our network, meet talent from around the world, and learn from top entrepreneurs and CEOs.”
“In the ten years since we started LaunchPad, we have seen incredible entrepreneurs, ideas and companies emerge from college campuses all over the world,” said Amy Stursberg, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. “Our Blackstone and Techstars mentors are excited to work with the exceptional students participating in this year’s Propel program.”
This year’s LaunchPad Propel brings together over 200 of the most innovative student entrepreneurs from college campuses. Top student ventures will have the opportunity to advance their businesses through networking opportunities with mentors from Blackstone and Techstars including founders, executives, and Accelerator managing directors. The event will include speed mentoring sessions and a live pitch competition in which winners will receive $20,000 in cash and prizes to invest in their business.
For more information regarding Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars, please visit: https://www.blackstonelaunchpad.org.
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About Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars
The Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars entrepreneurship network helps students succeed in entrepreneurship and in their careers. Open to all students and recent alumni in all majors, the campus-based Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars network enables participants to access mentoring, grow their network, and access the resources to accelerate the success of their business. For more information, see www.blackstonelaunchpad.org
About Techstars
Techstars is the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed. Techstars founders connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporations to grow their companies. Techstars operates three divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, and Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 1,900 companies with a market cap of $23 Billion. www.techstars.com.
About Blackstone Charitable Foundation
The Blackstone Charitable Foundation was founded at the time of Blackstone’s IPO in 2007 with substantial commitments from the Firm’s employees. Influenced by the enterprising heritage of the firm and its founders, The Blackstone Charitable Foundation is directing its resources and applying the intellectual capital of the firm to foster entrepreneurship in areas nationwide and globally. Through its investment expertise across several asset classes and geographies, Blackstone has a unique perspective on the global economy and a heightened understanding of how entrepreneurial activity is often the crucial catalyst in the growth of successful businesses, industries and communities. For more information, see http://www.blackstone.com/foundation.