With a goal to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit among University students that would be beneficial in the professional world, five founders of the Rutgers Entrepreneurial Society held its first-ever launch event Tuesday night in Milledoler Hall on the College Avenue campus, where more than 150 students attended to explore what the newly created organization has to offer.
The event kicked off with an energetic presentation of highlighting the vision and mission of bringing together visionary, like-minded student entrepreneurs from various disciplines, providing them with the tools and resources to develop their skills in the professional world.
“With high levels of motivation and effort, entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality,” said Rutgers Business School Associate Dean Martin S. Markowitz. “Often, these efforts result in economic growth. It is extremely important that we at Rutgers encourage these talented individuals and provide them with support to help them bring their vision to the market place.”
Founded by five University students: Mikhail Naumov, Benjamin Lapidus, Melissa Lee, Janaki Shah and Austin Suen, the idea of starting this organization came to Naumov, the society’s president and founder, during the 2008 spring semester when he realized the University was in need of an outlet for entrepreneurial education.
“I have always been passionate about entrepreneurship and making a positive difference within the Rutgers community,” Naumov said. “By founding this society, I wanted to help others discover their hidden potential and use it to change the world.”
Like the society’s motto “Think Big,” the organization has already planned what some would call an ambitious agenda for the future. This includes business plan competitions, a location for a University entrepreneurial conference room and various key note speakers such as University alumnus Dr. Randal Pinkett, who famously won season four of the hit TV show “The Apprentice”, according to the meeting’s agenda.
“We have been actively pursuing Dr. Pinkett in hopes of having him come and share his challenges and experiences as an entrepreneur, professional speaker, author and philanthropist,” Naumov said.
The society will be promoting interest in the Annual Business Plan Competition, with prizes totaling $35,000, where winners will be able to use those funds to start their own business venture, according to the agenda.
The society will also help generate activity within the Institute for Business, Engineering and Science Technology Student Entrepreneurship Lab, which will serve as a location for student leaders to work on business ideas, patents and business plans, as well as meet with potential investors, according to the agenda.
“We are delighted to have the Rutgers Entrepreneurial Society a part of team BEST and supporting them in any way we can,” said BEST Executive Director Richard Mammone. “As a student organization, they have direct access to the student community, and will serve as a key strategic resource in generating activity in our education programs.”
The society’s founders also presented various leadership opportunities at the event, including a director of creative design, events coordinator, web developer and legal specialist where students will be able to have a hands-on leadership experience in a corporate function setting.
“We would like to dispel the idea that entrepreneurs come only from the business school,” Naumov said. “We want students from various disciplines: engineering, science, pharmacy, arts, communications, economics, business and more.”
Some students in attendance said they were pleased with the launch meeting and the opportunities it brings to students.
“I’ve been to a few launch meetings this semester and I have never seen an organization as put together and one with so clear a vision as this,” said School of Communication, Information and Library Studies sophomore Ridah Mannan. “I’m thoroughly impressed.”
Many others had positive reactions by the end of the night as well.
“This society is an energizing wake up call to acquire skills that are of utmost demand by some of the world’s most renowned corporate leaders,” Society Vice President for Financial Affairs Benjamin Lapidus, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said.
Society Vice President of Marketing and Promotion Melissa Lee said this society is necessary because entrepreneurship is for everyone.
“Whether you’re into art, science or sociology, you can greatly benefit from the skills acquired as a member,” Lee said.
The society’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 9:15 p.m. with the location to be announced. For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit the Rutgers Entrepreneurial Society’s Web site at thinkbig.rutgers.edu or email RUEntrepreneur@gmail.com.
Event launches entrepreneurial spirit, ‘thinks big’
Published: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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