|
It’s that time of year again, our 2022-2023 Annual Report is now available to view! Looking back on the previous year, we take pride in the fact that we have been constantly busy at Harris-Stowe State University’s Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and MECCA program. We are excited to share all that we’ve done and accomplished with HSSU Scholars and the community at large!
None of what we do would be possible without our funders, sponsors, partners, and collaborators. We are most appreciative of everyone who believes in our vision and has joined us on this remarkable journey.
We hope that you continue to support us as our community steadily expands and grows. Please stay connected, and let us know what you think of the report!
| |
|
Annual Report Mixer
We’d like to invite the entire CIE community, our esteemed partners and collaborators, and cherished friends to our Annual Report Mixer on Tuesday, December 12th at 6:00 PM. Please join us at Vue 17 (1034 S Brentwood Blvd 17th floor, St. Louis, MO 63117) as we spotlight and celebrate all of the great things we’ve accomplished this past academic year. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | |
MECCA Bootcamp Accelerator | You asked, we listened! We are excited to announce that we will be having a one-day MECCA Accelerator Bootcamp! This is a great opportunity for busy entrepreneurs who may not have the capacity to participate in our 10-week program. Come grow and develop your business skills on Saturday, December 2nd. Applications close on Nov. 17th, but apply NOW because spots will fill up quickly. | |
Thrivent Student Ambassadors | This school year, select HSSU Scholars are participating in the Thrivent Student Ambassadors program. The Ambassadors are planning and executing community impact projects for the HSSU community. Their goal is to help students, faculty, and staff learn more about financial clarity, entrepreneurship skills, and the financial services industry. They are utilizing the opportunity to develop their leadership and presentation skills and discover more about a career in financial services. | |
Create a Business Profile on StartupTree | |
Have you signed up for our new virtual Community for Innovation & Entrepreneurship on StartupTree – a one-stop shop for all entrepreneurial activities taking place at CIE|MECCA? By creating a personal profile and a business profile, you’ll have access to various programs, upcoming events, and networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs. You can even create your own business profile to promote your products and services. Stay up-to-date with everything CIE|MECCA related – it's easy to sign up and will only take a couple of minutes. Join us as we build our online hub for entrepreneurs - you don't want to miss out!
Steps to create a Business Profile:
- Click the “MORE” dropdown a the top of the StartupTree screen
- On the “Discover pages” column, click “Businesses”
- Once on the page click “+ Add Business”
- Complete the steps by filling in your business/program information
| |
|
MECCA began the Fall Accelerator program with a Draft Day event in August to welcome 72 entrepreneurs to the Accelerator. Draft Day was an exhilarating orientation event, where the newest cohorts of driven entrepreneurs were welcomed. It was a day of celebration, connection, and empowerment, as the program leaders provided valuable insights, guidelines, and a sneak peek into the incredible journey ahead for the cohorts. The MECCA program Accelerator offers training and services to help participants develop their entrepreneurial skills as they work to grow their businesses.
Akeem Shannon, founder of Flipstik and Shark Tank investment winner, was the guest speaker at the welcome event. The entrepreneurs were also welcomed by: Dr. Stacy Gee Hollins, HSSU’s Interim Associate Provost of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Anheuser-Busch School of Business; Kristy Jackson, HSSU CIE Director; Brandi Brooks, HSSU MECCA Director; and Accelerator coordinators, facilitators, and coaches.
| |
Congratulations to the Inaugural CIE Funding for Founders cohort! They were celebrated at a graduation and grant award ceremony. After completing the program, they are now equipped with training and funding development tools to further elevate as non-profit business leaders. The program was sponsored by Thrivent and Bank of America! | |
CIE Delegation Reception at World Trade Center | |
Meet our CIE delegation of entrepreneurs who will be headed to London, England, this month for a deep dive into the fundamentals of international trade, economics, and culture! The World Trade Center St. Louis hosted a “bon voyage” reception for us ahead of our trip. Stay tuned, we will be sharing more about this unique experience! | |
Demetrius Bledsoe is the Founder and CEO of Fresh Harvest 365. Since participating in entrepreneurship programs CIE and MECCA, Demetrius has seen his business take off. On a mission to provide education, employment, and empowerment to the next generation of agricultural and community leaders, Fresh Harvest 365 provides the highest quality local produce from a hydroponic farm to the community in the Metro St. Louis area. | |
|
Demetrius participated in the Scale-Up Accelerator, where he learned business growth concepts and won first place at the Accelerator’s pitch competition – awarded $10,000 towards his business. He also participated in the Funding for Founders program which equipped him with training and funding development tools to further elevate as a business owner. | |
Collaborations and Partnerships | |
CIE and MECCA recently welcomed Jade Harrell to campus to film episodes of Connect w/ Jade! We had a great time speaking with Jade about all things entrepreneurship at HSSU. Stay tuned, the episodes will air soon! | |
Would you or your organization like to support CIE? Connect with Kristy: CIEhssu@hssu.edu. | | |
|
Accelerators Graduation
We cordially invite the entire MECCA community, our esteemed partners and collaborators from the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), and our cherished friends to the MECCA Entrepreneurship Accelerator Graduation Ceremony.
Date: November 6, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Emerson Performance Center - Bank of America Theatre, at Harris-Stowe State University (3031 Laclede Ave St. Louis, MO 63103)
| |
|
Thrive With Purpose: Your Money, Your Goals-Money Moves What You Need to Know
Whether you’re looking to buy a car or get a different job or create an estate plan, you can’t skip right to the outcome. There are steps you need to take to make it happen. Learn how creating specific, measurable and timed financial goals gives you a better shot at achieving those goals.
| |
|
Thrive With Purpose: Growing Future Support for Your Organization-Endowments 101
Many churches and nonprofits recognize the need to establish long-term financial support of their mission. Learn what endowments are and options to build an endowment fund, your organization can create an endowment fund for general purpose or for a special purpose, such as outreach efforts, building maintenance or education ministries.
| |
|
ICYMI - MECCA Bootcamp Accelerator
On Saturday, December 2nd, we will be having a one-day MECCA Accelerator Bootcamp! This is a great opportunity for busy entrepreneurs who may not have the capacity to participate in our 10-week program. Come grow and develop your business skills. Applications close on Nov. 17th, but apply NOW because spots will fill up quickly.
| |
|
Cybersecurity Masterclass with Mastercard
Join us for an exclusive virtual workshop, "Cybersecurity Insights with Mastercard," hosted on Zoom and facilitated by Dr. Alyssa Abdulla, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Mastercard.
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Dr. Abdulla will share her expertise, insights, and experiences in the field of cybersecurity, offering valuable knowledge and practical strategies to protect your digital assets.
Who Should Attend?
- Business professionals looking to enhance their organization's cybersecurity defenses.
- Students and individuals interested in a career in cybersecurity.
- Anyone concerned about protecting their personal and financial information in the digital age.
Date: December 7, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Zoom
| |
|
ICYMI - Annual Report Mixer
We’d like to invite the entire CIE community, our esteemed partners and collaborators, and cherished friends to our Annual Report Mixer on Tuesday, December 12th at 6:00 PM. Please join us at Vue 17 (1034 S Brentwood Blvd 17th floor, St. Louis, MO 63117) as we spotlight and celebrate all of the great things we’ve accomplished this past academic year. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | |
Entrepreneur Reads and Resources | |
|
ABOUT CIE
The Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) serves as a hub of innovation, a center for entrepreneurship, and a facilitator of partnerships to enhance the black/brown community as well as the community at large.
ABOUT MECCA
The Minority Entrepreneurship Collaborative Center for Advancement (MECCA) serves as a hub of campus and community entrepreneurial activities fostering the growth of emerging entrepreneurs and cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs from minority and under-resourced communities as future business owners. MECCA provides educational training and services to assist individuals pursuing entrepreneurship, establishes partnerships with local centers for entrepreneurship, provides counseling services to entrepreneurs in developing markets, hosts and sponsors workshops and educational seminars in collaboration with community partners, and assists entrepreneurs in establishing accounting and licensing procedures.
| | | | |
