By:Mateo Osorno and Deniece Griffin
Photos by: Donovan Mitchell
Two-weeks in April 2024 will be remembered for innovation and inspiration for it ignited the entrepreneurial spirit at Georgia State University – all thanks to the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute’s (ENI) university-wide initiative InnovateSTATE. The initiative invigorated our GSU community, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and industry experts to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the entrepreneurial journey with over 30 planned events. There were workshops, panels, pop-up sales events, and showcases across various GSU campuses, InnovateSTATE 2024 was a resounding success. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from industry experts, gain valuable insights, and connect with like-minded individuals, all while celebrating the innovative spirit that thrives at Georgia State University.
Below is a selection of the events and activities featured as part of InnovateSTATE:
The kickoff event on April 8th entitled Navigating Entrepreneurship Beyond the Classroom, featured four GSU alumni who shared their captivating stories of entrepreneurship. This event was followed by an ice cream networking social just steps away from students experiencing the 2024 eclipse.
Equifax’s “Best Credit Training” two-part sessions provided essential financial literacy skills and highlighted internship and career opportunities. Partnership with off-campus partners provided attendees with one-on-one counseling regarding understanding and leveraging their personal credit score.
Workshops like From Research to Startup and Building Your Dream Team offered practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, while industry-specific panels and networking events provided opportunities for students to connect with professionals in their chosen fields.
An energetic panel of four alumni founders from the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund (MSESF), Georgia State’s entrepreneurship accelerator program, delivered the Game Changers discussion dropping many insights for early-stage entrepreneurs. They all discussed their humble beginnings, challenges, set backs and success.
The Alpharetta, Atlanta, Decatur and Dunwoody campuses hosted Student Showcases along with a Market Day (pop-up sales events) for those students with actual products to display and sell. This provided the perfect outlet for feedback on product designs, pricing and marketing. These ventures encompassed everything from artisan-crafted jewelry to state-of-the-art technological innovations, from various services to clothing options.
As April wrapped up, the CMII Spring 2024 Student Showcase highlighted the groundbreaking projects of our talented students, reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and creativity across various disciplines.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute is excited to continue its mission of inspiring and empowering the next generation of innovators. With ongoing efforts to support students, alumni, and faculty in their entrepreneurial endeavors, the future looks bright for entrepreneurship at GSU.
In conclusion, InnovateSTATE 2024 was a fantastic success, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas that make GSU such a special place.
Stay in touch with the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute (ENI) for updates on upcoming events, workshops, and opportunities to get involved. Whether you’re a student, alumni, faculty member, or community member interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, there’s something for everyone at ENI.
Don’t miss out on future programs and events—join our newsletter mailing list and follow us on all social media platforms: @eniGSU. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
