February 21, 2024

The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship has a lot of upcoming events and opportunities for students interested in entrepreneurship, seeking mentorship, and looking for opportunities to get expert feedback on their business ideas. Applications will open soon for the Dempsey Startup Competition, the University of Washington’s annual business plan competition for students across the region. Student-led startups can apply now for a chance to win up to $25K in prize money and gain exposure to 300+ judges from Seattle’s startup community. Any type of business from any sector may apply to be part of this competition.

We have several upcoming info sessions for students to learn more:

  • Tuesday, February 27, 5:00 – 6:00 PM Virtual Session Sign up here
  • Tuesday, March 5, 11:00 – 12:00 PM In Person Session Sign up here You will have the opportunity to look at successful past applications and meet prize winning teams at Team Tuesday
  • Tuesday, March 12, 12:30 – 1:30 PM Virtual Session Sign up here

Upcoming Buerk Center Events:

 2/21 Entrepreneurial iSchool Women Panel (4-6 pm, Condon Hall)

  • Panelists:
    Ishita Bhandari | Co-Founder, Watto AI
    Ashley Farley | Program Officer of Knowledge & Resource Services, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Sophin Liu | Commercial Analytics Manager, Acadia Pharmaceuticals 
    Raiham Malik | Founder & Developer, mAlIk Software
    Moderator: Sara Sanford | Assistant Professor, University of Washington iSchool | Founder & Principal Consultant, GEN Certification
  • 2/22 Thrive Together: WE Lead Mentoring Circles (2-4 pm, PACCAR Hall)
    Mentors:
    Tracy Bos | Vice President, Medicare Segment Lead
    Kia Davis | Principal, Artemis Connection
    Katarina Matayoshi | Senior Associate, Sultan Ventures | Program Director, XLR8HI
    Yoko Okano | Founding Partner, First Row Partners
    Carla Pagotto | Senior Advisor and Consultant | Fractional Head of Marketing
    Courtnie Paschall | Founder, Invirtualis.ai
    Tanushree Podder | Venture Capital Investor, Trilogy Equity Partners
    Andrea Pons | Food Stylist | Videographer | Author, Mamacita: Recipes Celebrating Life as a Mexican Immigrant in America
    Renuka Ramanathan, PhD | Director of Intellectual Property and Partnerships, Shape Therapeutics
    Jenna Winocur | Analyst, Graham & Walker
  • 2/23 Product Pitch Clinic (12-2 pm, Founders Hall)
    Product Pitch Clinic is for any students who want to brush up on their consumer product idea. Students will receive feedback from their peers in the audience and are asked challenging questions from our coaches Dan deWolff, Carrie Ferrence, and Mariah Gentry. RSVP here!
  • 3/7 Graduate Student Opportunity: Summer Innovation Fellowships Info Session (12-1 pm, Hans Rosling Center 101)
    Learn and ask questions about the ITHS/WRF Summer Commercialization and Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship programs. This opportunity will especially appeal to students interested in learning more about commercialization pathways for academic innovations.