’CUSE50 Summit 2023: Network With the 50 Fastest-Growing Alumni Businesses

From production and digital media companies to pizza tours and EV charging solutions, the honorees of the inaugural ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards are an impressive group of leaders representing the 50 fastest-growing Syracuse University alumni-owned businesses.

Honorees will be celebrated on campus Thursday, Nov. 9, followed the next day by engagement sessions between the alumni entrepreneurs and the University community. “We look forward to having this group of alumni honorees back on campus to celebrate their outstanding achievements in a whole new way,” says Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer. “So many of our graduates have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and it is important that we get to celebrate the impact they are making in the world with their businesses.”

Students, staff and faculty will have an opportunity to engage with the ’CUSE50 honorees during the ’CUSE50 Summit on Friday, Nov. 10, at the Whitman School of Management. The summit is open to everyone, but organizers, including Syracuse University Libraries, are especially encouraging students from across campus to participate. The summit represents an opportunity for students to learn about startup thinking, to develop personal and professional skills, and meet and network with alumni founders and top executives of fast-growing companies.

Registration is required for the ’CUSE50 Summit, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starting in the Flaum Grand Hall and move to Whitman’s classrooms for panel discussions.

“This is a unique learning opportunity for our students,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School. “The inaugural ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award event and Summit sets conditions for our students to engage directly with alumni leaders who started their entrepreneurial journey at Syracuse University in a way that connects our graduates to the entrepreneurial aspirations of our current students.”

The summit will begin with welcoming remarks from Haynie and Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School, and will move to breakout sessions featuring interactive panels with ’CUSE50 honorees and will be moderated by students who are conversation fire starters. The summit will conclude with a networking reception where students are encouraged to bring laptops to showcase their portfolio of work.

For more information about the event, visit the University’s events calendar.