OCTOBER 2024 EDITION

Accelerate South Jersey Empowers Local Entrepreneurs with Seed Funding, Mentorship, and Community Connections

On Oct. 26, the Fall 2024 cohort of Accelerate South Jersey (ASJ) concluded its six-week bootcamp, where aspiring entrepreneurs from Camden and Gloucester counties received training, resources, and mentorship from Rowan University’s School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business at the University of Notre Dame.


Led by Michael Dominik, Associate Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship in Rowan’s School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the ASJ program helps entrepreneurs get their feet off the ground by providing them with seed funding, resources, and a network of individuals across diverse fields to get their business started. Made possible by a gift from the Truist Foundation, participants gain access to critical funding and resources they may not otherwise have. This year’s eight entrepreneurs brought a range of ambitions across various industries and scales.


“The visionary aspirations of these budding entrepreneurs are inspiring,” said Dominik. “My favorite part of working with them is seeing their smiles and enthusiasm. During our bootcamp, they learned from our Rowan team, and they learned and leaned on each other. They’ve formed their own bonds and support network that is wonderfully representative of the intended spirit of our program”.


Learn more about the program and this year's participants here.

Five Rowan Startups Named to CEO Global Pitch Competition's 'Top 100' List

We are #RowanProud to announce that Jonathan Lopez ’26, Christopher Monroe ’27, Noah Kouhoupt ’26, Aiden Tahmazian ’26, Sarah Little ’26, and Aniket Shafin ’26 have been recognized among the Top 100 in the CEO Global Pitch Competition for their innovative business ideas! This is a record-breaking year for Rowan, with five teams making it to the Top 100. This week, they traveled to Tampa, FL, to participate in the CEO Global Conference and Pitch Competition.


After a series of judging, FlowGrow, founded by Little and Tahmazian, was selected as a Top 20 company and will move on to the semifinal round of the competition! FlowGrow is the world’s first “living” fake flower—just water it, and watch it come to life!


Congratulations to our talented entrepreneurs on these incredible achievements!

APPLY NOW

New Jersey Statewide New Business Model Competition


The NJ Innovation Acceleration Center will be hosting its New Business Model Competition open to any New Jersey college students and/or community members. Finalists will give judges a seven-minute pitch and the winners will receive $3,000 each and will participate in the 2025 10-week summer Lean Startup Accelerator Program.


Applicants must apply by November 4th using the form linked here.

2025 Baylor University New Venture Competition


Collegiate entrepreneurs are invited to apply to Baylor's 2025 New Venture Competition. Students who compete will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes based on their business plan and elevator pitch performance. Over $200,000 in prizes and resources will be awarded, with a first place prize of $50,000.


Applicants must apply by November 3rd, more information can be found here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RCIE has a variety of events and entrepreneurial engagement opportunities open to students of all majors! Click an event image below to RSVP and be sure to check out StartupTree for the full lineup of events, competitions, and applications. 

Stop in for Mentor Mondays - no appointment required!

E-NEWS TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW

First-year students take on 'Entrepreneurs Survivor Challenge'

As part of their Introductory Perspective on Entrepreneurship class with Professor Greg Payton, first-year entrepreneurship students had the exciting opportunity to participate in the 'Entrepreneurs Survivor Challenge.' This unique challenge, designed to foster creative thinking and experiential learning, introduced students to teamwork, problem-solving, and communication through a series of engaging activities and games.

Rowan alum shares insights on intrapreneurship in the coffee industry

Will Roberts ’21, VP and General Manager of Specialty Coffee at Kaffe Magnum Opus, recently joined us for Coffee with an Entrepreneur, where he shared his journey in the coffee industry and emphasized the importance of being a change leader and intrapreneur. He taught students about the intricacies of the coffee business and the value of resilience when facing challenges. 

Entrepreneurship minor selected as GrammyU ambassador

Isabella Policarpo (Music Industry/ Entrepreneurship '26) has been selected as Grammy U’s ambassador for the Philadelphia chapter. Her internship combines her passion for the music business with real-world networking opportunities alongside industry professionals. Read her full story at The Whit.

RCB Alum accepted into Kauffman FastTrac program

Congratulations to Rowan alum Awa Malicka Barro '20 on being accepted into the fall cohort of the Kauffman FastTrac program with the Women's Business Enterprise Center East (WBEC East)! This opportunity will support her in advancing her business, KONAY Spice Shop.

SIE welcomes students at RCB's First Year Launch Party

This month, the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) and RCIE connected with first-year students at the Rohrer College of Business First Year Launch Party. Staff and student entrepreneurs shared information about a variety of programs, resources, and support opportunities available within Rowan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Father-son duo discuss viral brand on Rowan Alumni podcast

Rowan alums and father-son duo, John Rondi ’89 and John Rondi ’18, recently shared their entrepreneurial journey on Rowan Alumni’s podcast, Beyond the Brown and Gold. They discussed their brand, Johnny Drinks, which has grown into a global internet phenomenon. Listen to their episode here.

Michelle Berkoben discusses tech and accounting strategies

Michelle Berkoben, Partner at Wipfli's Finance and Accounting Solutions Team, recently spoke to students for Coffee with an Entrepreneur, sharing insights from her work guiding startups and founders toward their technology and finance goals. She encouraged students to discover their passions but also emphasized the importance of patience. 

RCIE launches Prof Stop series for aspiring entrepreneurs

We’re excited to announce the launch of Prof Stop, a new series of short-form videos hosted by student entrepreneur Nick Nastasi '23 M'25. Produced by RCIE Director Jessica Vattima and edited by Dalila Velazquez Mendez of Creatives 230, the series is designed as quick 'pit-stops' along the entrepreneurial journey. Each video provides bite-sized insights and knowledge, shared through social media to support and inspire students. Check it out here.

Charlie Muracco Speaks on Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Success

Charlie Muracco, CEO of CLM Advisors, recently joined us for Coffee with an Entrepreneur. He shared his unique journey from aspiring football coach to CPA and entrepreneur, explaining how his firm empowers small businesses through proactive financial planning. Charlie emphasized the importance of adapting to challenges—comparing the entrepreneurial journey to a GPS route where obstacles may cause detours but never stop progress. 

University releases virtual campus map

Rowan has unveiled a virtual interactive map, offering an exclusive virtual tour through Business Hall. Now, you can explore the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RCIE) in Business Hall 209 and discover our space through interactive stories. Take the virtual tour today!

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The RCIE is dedicated to supporting Rowan students, faculty and staff.


Curious about upcoming competitions, funding, or scholarships? Need pitch feedback or mentorship to advance your business idea? RCIE is here to help. Email rcie@rowan.edu for more information.


Interested in mentorship opportunities, hosting an event, joining the Entrepreneurship Advisory Council, or supporting entrepreneurship at Rowan? Reach out to Jessica Vattima to learn more.

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Rowan Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Business Hall 209

201 Mullica Hill Road | Glassboro, NJ 08028

ent.rowan.edu/rcie | rcie@rowan.edu

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