Join us NOVEMBER 15

Pearlstein Learning Center, 3230 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Join us on November 15th as we look at how starters are pushing boundaries and innovating. Startup Fest is The Close School of Entrepreneurship’s annual premiere event. Register for a full day of competitions, a vendor expo, thought leadership conversations and workshops, networking opportunities, and more!

Register Now

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SCHEDULE

9:30 - 11a
4th Floor lounge, The Baiada Institute, The Pearlstein Building, 3230 Market Street.
Coffee and Croissants
Relax and enjoy coffee and croissants during a special taping of Startup Talks with Chuck Sacco. Chuck will answer your startup questions in a quick-fire format.
RSVP now!
11 - 12p
Location to be announced.
Fast Pitch Competition
Pitch your idea in 2 minutes or less to win cash prizes. Apply Now!
Apply Now!
12 - 1p
Location to be announced.
Student Panel: A Conversation with the 24 - 25 Impact Innovation Hub Cohort
Join us for a student panel featuring the 8 student companies selected to participate in this year’s Impact Innovation Hub. The Impact Innovation Hub assists student companies who are interested in developing innovative and market-based solutions that tackle critical social and environmental issues. Learn More!
Learn More!
1 - 4p
Locations to be announced.
Master Classes with Student Thought Leaders
Choose from a variety of workshops to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge.
1 – 1:45p:
  • Adam Terheardt “How to Build an App in Under an Hour.” Discover the essentials of rapid app development with Adam Terhaerdt, an experienced entrepreneur and mobile application developer. This workshop will guide you through the key stages of creating a functional app, from concept to deployment, in just one hour.
  • Paige D’Angelo “How to Market Yourself in Under an Hour”. Join Paige D’Angelo, founder of Aer Cosmetics, to learn how to leverage your own personal brand to help you navigate your startup journey. We’ll discuss the benefits of organic and authentic marketing, implementation strategies, and how to use a personal brand to your advantage.

    2 – 2:45p
  • Victoria Miller “How to Start a Social Impact Business”. Is there a social, environmental, or economic issue you are passionate about and have a solution to tackle it? Join Victoria Faith Miller (BA Entrepreneurship and Innovation '24, MBA Global Finance and Marketing for Impact '25) to learn "How to Start a Social Impact Business." From setting your mission statement to applying for grants and funding, discover how YOU can apply your unique interests and talents to change the world!
  • Liam Halsey

    3 – 3:45p
  • The Influencer Startup Studio

    Learn More!
    • Learn More!
    2 - 5:30p
    The Pearlstein Building Lobby, 1st Floor, 3230 Market Street.
    Proving Ground Expo
    Discover ground-breaking ideas and cutting-edge innovations at the Proving Ground Expo. Student vendors are invited to share their businesses and to sell their products. Tables are free. Sign up!
    Sign up to be a vendor or learn more about being a visitor to the Proving Ground Expo.
    4 - 5:30p
    Location to be announced.
    Startup Funds Fall 24 Competition
    The final round of the Fall Drexel Startup Funds competition where students compete for up to $50,000 to fund their ideas. More information and to apply to compete. Applications are open until October 20th.
    More information here!
    5 - 7p
    Baiada Institute, 4th Floor, Pearlstein Building
    Networking Reception
    Join us at the conclusion of the event for cocktails and light refreshments. RSVP here!
    RSVP here!

    Keynote Speaker

    Entrepreneurs from different industries and verticals are expected to be in attendance in a number of roles including exhibitors, students, speakers, and roundtables.

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Brian is an expert in rapid prototyping who’s lectured at universities around the world, including Harvard and Yale. He specializes in getting startup ideas up and running as quickly and cheaply as possible - all without learning programming or code.

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Brian is an expert in rapid prototyping who’s lectured at universities around the world, including Harvard and Yale. He specializes in getting startup ideas up and running as quickly and cheaply as possible - all without learning programming or code.

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Brian is an expert in rapid prototyping who’s lectured at universities around the world, including Harvard and Yale. He specializes in getting startup ideas up and running as quickly and cheaply as possible - all without learning programming or code.

    Student Judges

    Sasha Cole

    Senior at the Close School. He is pursuing a major in entrepreneurship and minors in film & TV production, graphic design, and sports management. Sasha is a YouTuber, editor, and podcast producer.

    Victoria Faith Miller

    Entrepreneurship and Innovation major with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship, and minors in Marketing and Theatre. She is a senior in her 3rd year, pursuing an accelerated MBA in her 4th year.

    Janis Niv

    Entrepreneurship major in her junior year pursuing an entrepreneurship major with a business consulting minor and food entrepreneurship certificate. She has founded Soothepop, a healthy popsicle for sore throats and is preparing for a launch next summer.

    Panelists

    Sasha Cole

    Victoria Faith Miller

    Janis Niv

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Brian Jones

    Entrepreneur

    Proving Ground Expo

    A marketplace where visitors can meet our student entrepreneurs, learn about their ventures, and buy their products. Are you an entrepreneur with a business idea you would like to share or a maker with a product that you are selling? Tables are FREE. Apply to be a part of Proving Ground!

    Apply now!

    Sponsors

    Want to be a part of Startup Fest?

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