Syracuse University’s Second Annual ’CUSE50 Summit: Students Connect With Award-Winning Alumni Entrepreneurs, Six for Six Pitch Competition Winner Selected

I’m a huge fan of hustle…I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t like the 9 to 5…Networking is the backbone of your next chapter… I like to surround myself with the people I’d like to be…Blending a diverse group of people with all kinds of assets makes a beautiful team…Go where there is no path and leave a trail for someone coming up behind you.

These were just some of the words of wisdom that Syracuse University alumni imparted on the nearly 350 students in attendance at the ’CUSE50 Summit 2024 held Nov. 15 at the Whitman School of Management. The previous evening, the University had presented its second annual ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards, which recognized Orange success by acknowledging the 50 fastest-growing businesses owned or led by Syracuse alumni. Many of these winners graciously spent a second day on campus to connect with students and share the stories, skills and advice that led to their success. The summit was organized by Syracuse University Libraries, working with Whitman’s Couri Hatchery.

Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation and Whitman Executive Dean Mike Haynie welcomed students and ’CUSE50 honorees to the Whitman School’s ’CUSE50 Summit.

“I do believe that entrepreneurs are the warriors of the business community and the engine of prosperity,” he says. “One of the societal myths is that entrepreneurs are lone wolves out there by themselves against all odds trying to achieve, but anyone with us here today will tell you that it takes a village. And, that is why opportunities like ’CUSE50 Summit are so important.”

Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie also welcomed the group, thanking the alumni in attendance for “paying it forward” and noting that when the entrepreneurship program first started 25 years ago, it was initially met with skepticism. “But, 25 years later, Whitman is No. 2 in the world for entrepreneurial research and No. 13 in entrepreneurship training and pedagogy for undergraduates,” McKelvie says. “We have allowed our entrepreneurs and our dreamers to go ahead and pursue their own futures, and today we bring back alumni to motivate and inspire our students.”

Students from across campus then chose from 10 sessions focusing on various areas of business and entrepreneurship. Each session was moderated by a student startup founder who interviewed ’CUSE50 awardees on topics such as:

Building a Startup from Scratch with Luis Cadavid ’12 (A&S), managing director, International Flowers Group; and Keir Weimer ’11, CEO and founder, Weekender.

Social Entrepreneurship and Impact with Rob Long ’12, G’14 (NEW), executive director, Uplifting Athletes; and Sheena Parker, ’18, ’19 (IVMF), president, 4SYT Industries.

The Entrepreneurial Mindset with Bejoy John G’08 (ECS), co-founder and CTO, Vetty Inc; and Gabriel Sepulveda Sanchez L’11 (LAW), founder and managing attorney, Sepulveda Sanchez Law.

Building a Venture Brand with Aaron Krause ’92 (A&S), founder, president and CEO of Scrub Daddy Inc.

The Building a Venture Brand panel

Building Partnerships and Teams with Owen Gotimer ’15 (NEW), marketing designer, OG Media; and Holly Conti ’09 (VPA), partner and head of digital marketing, Full Swing Public Relations.

Building Your Innovation Career with Jason Simmons ’00 (ARC), IN/EX Architecture; and Jill Leary ’91 (VPA), owner and founder, Railyard Arts Studio.

Networking for Success with Zachary Goldstein ’16 (VPA), chief operating officer, Velour Medical; and John Hill, head of story, Whop.

Personal Branding with Josh Golden G’98 (VPA), president and chief creative officer; YES&; and Dara Mirjahangiry ’05, founder, Sei Less.

Resilience and Well-Being with Whitman Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice John Torrens ’93 (EDU), founder, Sprout Therapy Management; Joseph Boyd ’20 MBA, founder, Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up; and Bryan Rafanelli ’84 (MAX), founder, Rafanelli Events.

The Creator Economy with John Hill, head of story, Whop, who has been an active mentor and subject matter expert for SU student founders for nearly a decade, helping six student team through acceptance into the prestigious Techstars accelerator program.

“SIX FOR SIX” PITCH COMPETITION

The afternoon kicked off a lively “Six for Six” Pitch Competition, where six student-ventures vied for a winner-take-all $6,000 prize. Dylan Bardsley ’26, president of the Syracuse University Entrepreneurship Club and founder of Clarity, welcomed the audience in Lender Auditorium.

Competitors in the Six for Six competition included:

Gymin presented by Antonio Goncalves ’27 (ECS)

Balance AI presented by Syed Haque ’25 M.S.

PapeX presented by Nicolas Courbage ’26

GrownBy presented by Michael Parker L’27 (LAW)

Phlaot presented by Nathan Brekke ’26 (ECS), ’27 MBA

ConnectUp presented by Laurenne Yomi Mvete ’25 and Maya Layton ’25

Each team gave a 5-minute rapid-fire pitch of their business idea to a panel of judges comprised of ’CUSE50 alumni who participated in the morning sessions. Judges then selected this year’s winner.

While the judges voted, Syracuse University Orange Innovation Scholar Thomas O’Brien ’25 (VPA), founder of FreeFall Films, showed his film, “Innovate Orange” a perspective of the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Syracuse University as showcased through the student experience.

PapeX receiving their check

Judges awarded Courbage and his company, PapeX, the $6,000 prize. PapeX is a digital solution to enhance receipt and loyalty programs by eliminating confusion at retail checkouts. According to Courbage, PapeX will save time, money and environmental waste by replacing paper receipts with a Near Field Communication (NFC) alterative.

“I am excited that this award will elevate my project,” says Courbage. “This experience has equipped me with the essential skills in salesmanship, leadership and tenacity. It not only honed my analytical abilities but also taught me how to create financial models— skills that will ensure success for my venture, as well as through my career. I am committed to executing this vision with unwavering tenacity.”

“Congratulations to all of our ’CUSE50 alumni entrepreneurs who gave their time and talent to participate in the summit and share real life stories about their journey, as well as insights on how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset to position them for personal and professional success,” says Linda Dickerson-Hartsock, SU Libraries and Whitman faculty member, who helped organize the event. We are so grateful for everyone who joined us for this exciting day highlighting entrepreneurship at its best.”