School of Business M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Unlocking the Power of Entrepreneurship in Teaching, Research, and Patient Care
September 9, 2024 | 1 – 2 p.m. | MNH 270

The Center hosted an informal session for the School of Nursing, School of Health Sciences and School of Medicine Faculty and Staff covering the definition of entrepreneurship, how it helps faculty with teaching, research and clinical missions, what resources are available for faculty and students, and how to get involved in the Center’s activities or be part of the teams. The session was followed by a Q&A session. 

Innovation Challenges Event
September 12, 2024, | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | SB 109

The Center hosted a welcome event where attendees were invited to compete in one or more 10-minute challenges, from building the tallest tower out of the items they brought with them to coming up with the next $10 million idea. Attendees also learned about how the Center can support them.

Innovation in the Classroom for Adjuncts 
September 24, 2024, | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | SB 109

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the Learning Commons, hosted a dynamic workshop led by Christie Soltys and Dave Tomczyk. The session empowered adjunct faculty with practical tools and creative strategies to inject personality into their teaching while working within set curricula. Participants explored methods to create a "fear of missing out" (FOMO) in the classroom, driving student engagement and enhancing learning experiences. The interactive format included discussions, resource sharing and hands-on exercises, enabling attendees to develop actionable teaching techniques to bring back to their departments. The event fostered a collaborative atmosphere, underscored by light refreshments and insightful dialogue.

Colors of CT Festival 
October 5, 2024, | 2 – 7 p.m. | Recreation Center & Burt Khan

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship successfully hosted the inaugural Colors of CT Festival, celebrating inclusivity and belonging in the entrepreneurial space. This vibrant, family-friendly event supported 65 local small businesses owned by members of underrepresented and underserved communities, including 54 female-owned and 11 male-owned businesses. With 468 attendees, the festival featured live music, a DJ, food trucks, a fashion show, panel discussions and a Sip & Shop marketplace where students, faculty and staff joined local vendors to display and sell products. The event also connected participants with 17 resource groups during a networking session, fostering community and entrepreneurial growth. Colors of CT demonstrated the university’s commitment to diversity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on all involved.   

Improving Your Class Midway through the Semester
October 22, 2024 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | SB 109

The workshop consisted of three parts. First, we talked about how to assess your class during the middle of the semester, discussing a range of options from one-on-ones to in-class surveys. We went through the psychology of different questions and what makes good questions for assessment. Christie Soltys led the attendees in a hands-on activity that the participants could bring to their classes using in-class writing prompts to get active engagement from students during a course assessment. Next, we talked about the goals of assessment and how to handle the range of responses instructors are likely to get from the students. We emphasized the need to see beyond the surface answers to address any deeper issues that may be part of the course or components of the course. Finally, we ended with a brainstorming activity to help participants generate ideas for improving their courses and exercises.

Bobcat Weekend: Student and Alumni Pop-Up Shop 
October 26, 2024 | noon – 3 p.m. | Quad

As part of Bobcat Weekend festivities, the M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted the Alumni and Student Business Pop-Up Shop, providing a platform for 15 student and alumni entrepreneurs to display and sell their products and services. With over 1,000 attendees engaging in Quad activities, the event highlighted the innovative spirit of the Quinnipiac community. Vendors offered a diverse range of items, from handcrafted goods to unique services, while building connections with parents, alumni and fellow students. The Pop-Up Shop successfully fostered entrepreneurial growth, visibility, and collaboration, solidifying its role as a key feature of the Bobcat Weekend experience.

QU Launchpad Elevator Pitch Competition
November 13, 2024 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | Student Center Piazza

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted the annual QU Launchpad Pitch Competition on November 13, 2024, in the Piazza. This dynamic event brought together aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business and non-profit ideas to three different panels of judges in a fast-paced format. To prepare, participants attended mandatory pitch workshops, honing their presentation skills, refining their ideas with feedback and connecting with fellow competitors. $5,000 in prize money was awarded to the finalists, with standout ideas earning overall prizes. This year’s competition featured a unique twist, with faculty members Lynn Byers, Pattie Belle Hastings and Chetan Jaiswal also presenting their own pitches, inspiring students and fostering a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and innovation. The event celebrated creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and the diverse talents within the Quinnipiac community.

Small Business Needs Exploration Session with Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce
November 21, 2024 | 4:30 – 6 p.m. | SB 109

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, in partnership with the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted a Local Business Collaboration Workshop. The event brought local Hamden businesses to Quinnipiac University to share their inspiring stories and innovative ideas with students and faculty. Participants engaged in collaborative workshops, brainstorming solutions to real-world challenges faced by the businesses. This hands-on approach fostered creativity and practical problem-solving, building meaningful connections between the university and the local business community. The event was a resounding success, showcasing the power of partnerships and a shared commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the Hamden region.

Engagement Fair, Admissions Events, and Bobcat Weekend Tabling

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship tabled at multiple university-wide events throughout the semester to promote its mission, events, and opportunities to prospective students and the Bobcat community (staff, faculty, students, alumni, etc.). 

Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization – QU Chapter

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship sponsors the QU Chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, advised by Patrice Luoma. The club focuses on helping students generate ideas, develop innovation and business solutions and launch businesses. Also, they focus on building a community of like-minded individuals who support each other. In addition to attending the annual conference, the club meets twice monthly throughout the year.

QU’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Speaker Series

Speaker: Russ D. Martin
October 2, 2024 | 4 – 5 p.m. | SB 109

The M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the QU Chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organizations hosted Russ D. Martin, an award-winning filmmaker and the Head of Enormity Pictures LLC — a film services company which has produced dozens of feature length and short narrative films as well as commercials and live events. Martin specializes in the logistics of filmmaking, creating the project road map and sourcing all the requirements to create award winning narratives.

Speaker: Frederick Welk
November 7, 2024 | 5 – 6 p.m. | SB 109

Frederick Welk, a seasoned business advisor and director at the Community Economic Development Fund, was hosted for an insightful session on launching a business. Students gained valuable knowledge on business structures, state registration processes, tax basics and the considerations for choosing between web-based or physical locations. Welk also shared advice on creating robust business plans and navigating entrepreneurial challenges, drawing from more than 30 years of experience in retail, franchise development and business education. Attendees left the event equipped with actionable insights and a deeper understanding of what it takes to start and sustain a successful business.

Carlton Highsmith is a corporate executive turned entrepreneur. After a 10-year career as an executive with the global packaging firms of Amstar and Rexham, Highsmith founded Specialized Packaging Group (SPG) — a package design, package engineering and marketing firm — in New Haven, Connecticut in 1983.

By 2009, Highsmith had built SPG into one of the most innovative designers and largest manufacturers of paperboard packaging for consumer products in North America. His company designed and manufactured packages for some of the world’s leading consumer brands, including Crest, Total, Aqua-Fresh, Ivory Snow, Tide, Cheer, Zip Loc, Snuggle, Bounce, REACH and Irish Spring.

He employed over 600 people at design centers and manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Chicago, Cincinnati, Kansas City and seven other cities across North America. In 2009, Highsmith's company was recognized as the largest minority-owned firm in the state of Connecticut and was also ranked as high as #26 on Black Enterprise Magazine’s prestigious BE 100 — an annual list of the largest and most successful black-owned businesses in the United States.

Highsmith served on the board of directors of First Niagara Bank, where he chaired the Nominating and Governance Committee. He also served on the Audit Committee. He was a member of the board of directors of New Alliance Bank that was acquired by First Niagara in 2011 as well.

Highsmith's other affiliations include:

• Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Quinnipiac University, where he is a member of the Executive and Personnel Committees

• Board of Trustees at Yale-New Haven Hospital Health System, where he is a member of the Budget & Finance Committee

• Chair of the Investment Committee for Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

• Chairman of the Connecticut Center for Arts & Technology

He is also past member of the Boston Federal Reserve’s New England Advisory Board. His term ended in 2014.

Education

• Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College – Executive Management Program

• University of Wisconsin-Madison – Bachelor of Arts in Economics

• Quinnipiac University – Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

• Albertus Magnus University – Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters

Learn more about Carlton Highsmith

Brett Amendola's roots in the New Haven community stretch back for three proud generations. Wooster Square was born from a desire to put down his own roots and give back to the community that raised him. Amendola has devoted his life’s work to problem-solving for high net worth families. His dedication to serving this community is illustrated in his many volunteer and charitable endeavors.

He is an experienced Managing Partner with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Amendola is skilled in sales management, public speaking, leadership, business relationship management and life insurance.

Amendola's other affiliations include:

• Board Member of the Quinnipiac University Board of Trustees, where he is Chair of the Investment Committee

• G.A.M.E. Forum Hall of Fame Inductee

• Contributor and presenter at the Quinnipiac University School of Business G.A.M.E. Forum

• Contributor and presenter at the Greenwich Economic Forum

Education

• Quinnipiac University – Bachelor of Science in Finance

Learn more about Brett Amendola

Richard Iovanne is a seasoned commercial banker that is value-added to current and prospective clients, colleagues and centers of influence. Whether it be providing a financing or treasury management solution, a referral to one of our other business lines, SBIC investment or simply advice, he looks forward to working with clients and earning their trust.

Education

• The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania – Leadership Certificate Program, Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services

• ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking – Banking and Financial Support Services

• Boston College – Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Learn more about Richard Iovanne

Lauren Carmody is responsible for the marketing function at Connecticut Innovations. Her role includes marketing and communication strategy and execution. She manages the marketing and branding for three brands — Connecticut Innovations, VentureClash and Tidal River. She also handles event management and network expansion; sharing CI’s story with key stakeholders; fostering relationships with corporate partners; oversight of communication and social media; and special campaigns.

Carmody has worked with clients to develop and articulate their brands and messaging for more than 15 years. Prior to joining CI, she served as the director of public relations at Adams & Knight, where she provided public relations and social media counsel and execution on integrated marketing accounts. Carmody was also vice president for Prosek Partners (formerly CJP Communications), a public relations agency focusing on financial services public relations, where she provided companies with the best strategy and tactics for achieving results with public relations.

Carmody has worked on everything from integrated marketing campaign creation and execution to product launches and deal announcements to rebranding and thought leadership platform development. She has worked to create and execute strategic communications plans for Edward Jones, GE Capital, Hartford Steam Boiler, Franklin Templeton, Hiscox, World Gold Council and Aflac.

In her spare time…wait, she has no spare time. But she does have three great kids and spends time with them secretly hoping they will choose soccer as their favorite sport (like she did) but supporting all their endeavors.

Education

• Quinnipiac University, Master of Business Administration

• Quinnipiac University, Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Spanish

Learn more about Lauren Carmody

Bobby Emamian is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Debut Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on investing in Black, Latinx and Indigenous founders. 

Prior to Debut Capital, Emamian was the co-founder and CEO at Prolific Interactive (acquired by WeWork in 2019), an award-winning strategy-led mobile product agency recognized as one of Inc. 500's fastest-growing private companies and one of Crain's Fast 50. Prolific designed and built apps for companies like SoulCycle, Saks, Gap and American Express.

A former college athlete, Emamian's competitive nature and mix of technical, business, strategic and managerial skills account for Prolific’s fast growth in the mobile industry. Emamian and his team, located in San Francisco, have worked with such companies as ModCloth, Threadless, Lululemon Athletica, Rent the Runway, Hewlett-Packard and the NBA.

Emamian was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 and played baseball at Quinnipiac University.

Education

• Quinnipiac University - BS in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

Learn more about Bobby Emamian