Register for First Mark Ain Business Model Workshop: 1/26

The 2016 Mark Ain Business Model Workshop Series kicks off with “Overview of the Competition and My Startup Experience,” presented by Felipe Vasconcelos ’16S (MBA), president of the Simon Entrepreneurs Association, on Tuesday, January 26, from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m. in Gleason Hall, Room 318/418.  Workshops are free and open to all members of the University and the general public. The competition (submissions are due in mid-April) is open to currently enrolled University students at any level of study. Pizza and refreshments will be provided at each workshop. Attendees must register online or call 276-3500.

Tibetan Innovation Challenge Info Session on 1/28

The second annual 2016 Tibetan Innovation Challenge, an intercollegiate social entrepreneurship business plan competition to improve the lives of Tibetan refugees, is accepting applications now through April 4. The goal of the competition is to develop self-sustaining and replicable business ideas to alleviate the economic difficulties of Tibetan refugees. Learn more about the Challenge and find student teammates at an information session on Thursday, January 28, at 12:30 p.m. in Schlegel 201. Please RSVP to heidi.mergenthaler@rochester.edu.

Entrepreneur-in-Residence Office Hours on 1/28

Need advice on launching a new venture? Schedule an appointment with the Ain Center's Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), John Hawkins, vice president of Paramax Corp. and president of Benchview Management Corp., on Thursday, January 28, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in 3-131 Carol Simon Hall. Appointments are required and can be scheduled using our online booking system: book with John Hawkins; or call 585-276-3500.

KEY Program Info Session: 2/3

Learn about the Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year (KEY) program at an information session Wednesday, February 3, at 3:30 p.m. in Lattimore 306A. The program offers accepted students a fifth, tuition-free year of college to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. The program is supported by the College and the Ain Center for Entrepreneurship. The spring KEY application deadline is Thursday, March 17. For more information, contact KEY program coordinator Hillary Tatar.

Digital media team reaches round of 32 in Student Startup Madness tournament

A startup company called “thinc.” run by four Rochester seniors has reached the round of 32 in Student Startup Madness, a national collegiate competition for digital media startups. The company is developing a website that displays the front pages of college newspapers across the country. Read the press release.

2016 Rochester Venture Challenge Registration Deadline: 1/25

The goal of the Rochester Venture Challenge is to encourage entrepreneurship among all who enter while recognizing and rewarding the most promising new ventures and start-up companies in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region. Companies compete by submitting an executive summary; semi-finalists and finalists also give an investor presentation to a panel of judges.

The Challenge enables early stage for-profit companies to go through a 4-week process that gives company leaders valuable insights into what makes a viable executive summary and then how to prepare a pitch to potential investors. Workshops are led by area business leaders and entrepreneurs with startup experience and accomplishment; they offer participants first-hand feedback.

Online registration closes on Monday, January 25, 2016. The registration fee is $150 per company and includes participation of two company representatives in the preparatory workshops. Workshops only are available for a registration fee of $100. Register online.