Events, Programs, & Series
Programs & Series
Freshman Innovator Program (FIP)
The Freshman Innovation Program offers first-year students a year-long introduction to entrepreneurship and innovation. Participants meet weekly, receive mentorship, and develop professional and entrepreneurial skills through workshops, speakers, and hands-on projects.
Start@AI
Start@AI helps students build practical AI skills that make them more competitive in today’s workforce. Through guidance and hands-on workshops, participants develop an AI toolkit they can apply to internships, jobs, and beyond.
WIN Speaker Sessions
WIN’s Speaker Sessions feature guests from diverse industries who share insights through panels or fireside chats. Members gain career advice, learn about entrepreneurship and corporate roles, and engage in open Q&A discussions.
WIN Skill Development Sessions
WIN’s skill development series helps members build practical, career-ready abilities through workshops and interactive sessions. Topics include Excel, résumé and LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, negotiation, personal branding, and hands-on creativity and prototyping exercises.
WIN Mentorship Program
WIN’s Mentorship Program creates lasting connections by pairing upperclassmen with freshman and sophomore students. Through regular meetings and community events, participants support one another’s academic and professional growth.
Accelerator Program
The Accelerator Program is a nine-week incubator for student startups, offering mentorship, $1,500 in funding, and weekly sessions on building a business. Teams culminate their experience by presenting their businesses at the Demo Day showcase.
Sessions@Shea
Sessions@Shea is a student-led speaker series that brings alumni, industry leaders, and innovators to campus to share their insights. Held throughout the year, the events give students the chance to explore career paths and gain inspiration from accomplished entrepreneurs.
VCPE Cohort
The VCPE Cohort is a year-long program providing members with a comprehensive overview of venture capital and private equity, including education sessions, workshops, mentorship, and office visits. Members who complete the program are considered for Executive Board positions and gain hands-on exposu
The Lab
The Lab is a six-week program following the Elevator Pitch Competition that helps student founders build momentum and develop key startup skills, from logos to MVPs. Full attendance grants participants an automatic interview for the Accelerator Program.
WIN Career Development Sessions
WIN’s career development programming helps members explore professional pathways through panels, workshops, and networking events. Students gain direct access to industry professionals and learn about diverse companies, roles, and internship experiences.
Events
Entrepreneurship Summit
Held each October, the Entrepreneurship Summit launches the Shea Center’s year by bringing students together with founders and venture capitalists from the Shea Network.
Elevator Pitch Competition
The Elevator Pitch Competition is one of the Shea Center’s most engaging events, challenging participants to present an idea and a compelling pitch for a chance to win $1,500.
Start@Shea Case Competition
Held each November, the Case Competition highlights that entrepreneurship extends beyond founding a startup. By partnering with a different company each year, Start@Shea challenges participants to think entrepreneurially within established organizations.
End of Semester Dinner
The End of Semester Dinner brings students together for an evening of food and conversation with a female founder. The event creates space for meaningful dialogue and insight beyond the classroom.
Networking@Shea
Networking@Shea connects ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ students with innovative tech and startup companies in a more conversational, informal career fair setting. The event also includes a prep workshop to help students build confidence and make meaningful connections.
VCPE Case Competition
VCPE’s case competition offers members hands-on experience by tackling real-world investment and sourcing challenges in a collaborative, team-based setting. Through Competition, participants are able to build practical skills while gaining exposure to the venture capital decision-making process.
Hult Prize
ESI’s flagship event each academic year is the Hult Prize, which encourages students to participate in the Hult Case Competition. This internationally recognized competition challenges students to develop innovative solutions with meaningful social impact.
Demo Day
Demo Day marks the culmination of the nine-week Accelerate@Shea program, showcasing cohort founders as they pitch their startups to the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ community. The event celebrates their progress and serves as a key milestone as teams prepare for the Strakosh Venture Competition.
Strakosch Venture Competition
The Strakosh Venture Competition supports student founders by providing a platform to pitch their startups and compete for up to $10,000 in equity-free funding and entry into the SSC Ventures Accelerator. Finalists present their ventures to a panel of judges, with top teams receiving prizes and the
Female Founders Panel
The Female Founders Panel is WIN’s spring signature event, bringing students together with female founders for an evening of conversation and connection. Through a moderated panel and informal discussions over dinner, attendees gain insight into the journeys of female founders.
ESI Social Impact Studio
The Social Impact Studio is an annual ESI event featuring a keynote from an alumnus in the social impact space, presentations from its housing, environment, health, and finance cohorts, and tabling by other social impact clubs on campus.