By Julia Hess ’15
Siena College students with entrepreneurial aspirations participated in the New York Business Plan Competition held recently at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. The nine students participated both as teams and individually in one of the competition’s ten semifinal events across the state.
Finance major Edward Moran ’15 entered his innovation, a mobile sports application, “MySport - The Social Network of Sports,” into the statewide contest. Moran believes that his involvement in this competition challenged him to improve “MySport” before he graduates in May.
“Developing a business is one of the most difficult, but most rewarding things I have done at Siena College,” Moran said. “I like to work hard to be successful, and learning outside the classroom has provided me with the opportunity to do big things as I approach graduation.”
Moran and Siena’s other New York Business Plan Competition participants are active in Siena’s Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. At the Stack Center, the students are able to train with faculty and staff to develop the skills needed to create successful business ventures.
Marketing major Megan Meyers ’16 said that her experiences in the Stack Center were vital in preparing her to take her innovation outside of the Siena campus.
“The Stack Center and Professor Hickey have trained and helped me groom the skills that I have learned to make me feel confident enough to take any innovation outside the classroom,” Meyers said. “Even after Siena, I would feel comfortable going back to the Stack Center and asking for guidance with an entrepreneurial idea.”
Michael J. Hickey ’83, Stack Center executive director believes that providing these opportunities to students as early as their freshman year helps them develop ideas, skills and confidence that surpasses that of other student entrepreneurs.
As proof that the work being done in the Stack Center is making a difference, Hickey references his experience at the Business Plan competition.
“I had four different people approach me unsolicited saying, ‘Where have you been hiding these Siena students?’” Hickey said.
Click here to learn more about the Stack Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
