This summer, VentureLab and Saint Louis University (SLU) joined forces to offer an extraordinary entrepreneurial experience for young innovators in the St. Louis area. The Allsup Summer Camp, held from July 22 to August 2, 2024, at SLU’s Chaifetz School of Business, provided a unique platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their skills and bring their ideas to life.
At the heart of this initiative are the students, who immersed themselves in a dynamic environment at SLU’s Chaifetz School of Business. The Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy is dedicated to nurturing young minds, especially those from historically marginalized communities, by equipping them with the entrepreneurial skills needed to turn their ideas into actionable solutions.
“Idea to Pitch” Program Implemented
Central to VentureLab’s collaboration with Saint Louis University (SLU) is our innovative “Idea to Pitch“ program. This comprehensive curriculum guides youth through the entire entrepreneurial journey, from conceptualizing an idea to delivering a compelling pitch. The program is designed to foster critical entrepreneurial skills, including creativity, resilience, and critical thinking, equipping students with the tools they need to transform their innovative ideas into actionable solutions.
“I am very happy that I accomplished creating such a great pitch in only 4 days because it is a very difficult thing to do, and this is only my second pitch ever.”- enthusiastic youth participant
Throughout the two weeks over both weeklong sessions of summer camp, SLU’s Chaifetz School of Business was an exciting hub of activity. Each day was filled with interactive workshops, hands-on innovation challenges, and inspirational talks from successful entrepreneurs. The schedule was designed to immerse students fully in the entrepreneurial process, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
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Key Events and Sessions
Daily Activities and Workshops
- Innovation Challenges: Encouraged out-of-the-box thinking
- Entrepreneurial Skills Workshops: Covered market analysis and business model development
- Mentorship Sessions: With experienced entrepreneurs and SLU students
- Networking Opportunities: With local St. Louis business leaders
“I am proud of how we worked together and everyone’s ideas were heard and considered. I’m also proud of how much I volunteered myself to do things…”
“[I practiced] the process of idea making, like writing down problems you notice and potential solutions. I didn’t think I had any ideas, but it came to me and I was able to incorporate my passions.”
Field Trips
Students had the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship beyond the classroom:
- STL Bucket List
- The Center for Additive Manufacturing (SLU-CAM)
- Academic Technology Commons (SLU-ATC)
Guest Speakers
The camp featured inspiring talks from successful entrepreneurs, including:
- Talia Parr from Parr Creative Agency
- Adam McChesney from Builders of Authority
- Lucas Farrell from STL Bucket List
- Sami Mauer from Series Six Company
- A panel featuring Gavin Pringle, Matt Menetti, and Tashara Earl
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Pitch Competition
The program culminated in an exciting pitch event where students presented their business ideas to a panel of judges, including:
- Gavin Pringle – JAKAPA, a personalized gaming and coaching program.
- Ellie Scott – TechSTL
- Gregory Matthews – SLU MBA student
- Nora Brooks – Boeing
- Jess Bellomo – Counterpublic
- Ben Molina – Cortex Innovation Community
- Christen Rains VentureLab’s program success manager, leading our local VentureLab Hubs
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Thanks to the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship Team
The success of this collaboration was made possible by the dedicated team at the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship:
- Mallori Green: Program Coordinator
- Hayley Johnston: Assistant Director
- Lewis Sheats: Executive Director
- Tyler Merkle: Associate Director
Further reflections and conclusion
Students gained a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial process and developed critical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication. These experiences not only prepared them for entrepreneurial endeavors but also equipped them with valuable life skills.
“We’re excited to partner with Saint Louis University to inspire and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Lindly Fernandez of VentureLab. “Our ‘Idea to Pitch’ program is designed to instill the entrepreneurial mindsets that foster critical thinking, resilience, and creativity.”
SLU representatives echoed the enthusiasm for this partnership, emphasizing the importance of such initiatives in nurturing young talent and driving innovation in the community.
This collaboration aligns perfectly with VentureLab’s mission to empower young minds and foster an inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to explore and grow in entrepreneurship. Together with SLU, we aim to inspire a new generation of leaders and innovators.
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