Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization Offers Networking, More
North Carolina State University’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) chapter, based in Poole College, is a network of students from all majors across campus that brings diverse thought and background to the organization. It provides entrepreneurs the opportunity for local and student entrepreneurs to meet and share ideas, and broaden their knowledge of entrepreneurship.
“CEO not only offers students who want to be entrepreneurs a place to network, but it also welcomes students who want to work in a start up environment, but do not want to own a business. It is a place to meet potential business partners, obtain jobs or internships, or just listen to what others are working on,” said Kevin Barry, CEO vice president.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Offers Networking, More Club members may participate in a variety of rewarding experiences, including national conferences, bi-weekly meetings, business competitions, special events, entrepreneurship speakers, and business ‘hang outs’ where business ideas are discussed.
Currently, there are 25 actively engaged members, most meetings are open to the public unless otherwise posted, and typically have more than 40 people attending.
Bi-weekly meetings start out with a guest speaker, usually a local entrepreneur that speaks about his or her experiences followed by an open discussion. Speakers have included:
- Anthony Pompliano, founder of DigaForce and TripreneurTV
- Mark Saad, founder of KinderSoles, now merged with Feelgoodz
- Dan Bailey, founder of RacerData
- Andrew Forster, founder of Cguros
- Josh Staab, founder of Carolus
- Dylan Selinger, founder of Crank Arm
- Sumit Vohra, founder of Lonerider Brewery
In the spring semester, the club will hold weekly meetings with bi-weekly speaker presentations. The organization also hosts small project workshops.
Meetings are followed by a ‘hangout’ at Mitch’s Tavern on Hillsborough Street where networking and the exchange of ideas continue, with food and friends, Barry said.
The last national CEO conference was held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, where students heard from keynote speakers, networked with other entrepreneurs and learned more about the entrepreneurship environment.
CEO is a rewarding and engaged organization that prides itself on excellence, Barry said. “Being the vice president of CEO has gotten me more involved in the Poole College of Management and the entire university as well,” he said. CEO will continue to strive to be the best and its doors are always open to anyone interested in business and entrepreneurship, he said.
Story author: Katie Kowalski, Poole College Communications Intern
