Campus & Community

’CUSE50 2024 in Photos

Monday, November 18, 2024, By Christine Grabowski
Group of individuals standing on stage holding flags, with a banner reading 'CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award' at Syracuse University event.

2024 ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award winners (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

For the second year in a row, the University honored Orange ingenuity with two days of celebration, networking and a friendly pitch competition as part of the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards.

Last Thursday, the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards ceremony recognized the 2024 honorees, culminating with a live reveal of the top 10 fastest-growing Orange businesses. The evening also included a conversation with Buddy Valastro, celebrity chef and baker from A&E’s hit shows “Cake Dynasty” and “Legends of the Fork,” who participated in a fireside chat, sharing the personal ingredients behind his entrepreneurial success.

The next day, honorees of the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards headlined the ’CUSE50 Summit. The summit allowed students to meet and network with top thinkers on engaging, practical and forward-thinking opportunities. The summit also included a “Six for Six” student pitch competition, where the top six campus innovation teams participated in a spirited “Shark Tank”-style format for a “winner take all” $6,000 grand prize selected by ’CUSE50 honorees.

Check out how the two days went:

’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards (Nov. 14) 

Person speaking at a podium with various flags in the background, at a formal event.

Thomas O’Brien ’25, student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, kicked off the ceremony. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

A person speaking at a podium with the Syracuse University logo, addressing an audience in a dimly lit auditorium.

J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, provided the welcoming remarks for the evening. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Two individuals are smiling while sitting at a panel discussion during an event. The person on the right is wearing a gray suit.

Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, and Buddy Valastro, celebrity chef and baker, participated in a fireside chat. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Two individuals exchanging an orange cake at a formal event.

The University presented Valastro with an Otto the Orange cake as a thank you for participating in the evening’s festivities. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Group of Syracuse University students excitedly posing with the mascot at the 'Cuse50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award event.

Student attendees were invited on stage to take a photo with Valastro and Otto the Orange. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Two individuals posing together while smiling at an event. One is wearing a gray blazer and the other is dressed in a purple and white sports jacket.

Valastro posed for photos with attendees after the event. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Two individuals holding an award certificate labeled "CUSE50 2024" stand smiling with Otto the Orange, the Syracuse University mascot, at an event.

Valastro posed with Aaron Krause ’92 (center), founder of Scrub Daddy and Otto the Orange. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Two individuals are engaged in a lively conversation at the 'Cuse 50 Alumni Entrepreneur Award event, surrounded by colorful balloons and vibrant lighting.

Award winners and attendees had an opportunity to network after the awards portion of the evening. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Three individuals engaging in conversation at a networking event, with one person holding a glass of wine. The environment is vibrant with colorful lighting and other attendees in the background.

Award winners and attendees gathered together after the awards portion of the evening. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Group of eight individuals proudly posing at a formal event, smiling, dressed in business attire, with name tags.

Students enjoyed the networking event after the ceremony. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

A person in business attire laughing joyfully next to a mascot resembling a large orange, wearing a hat and holding a Syracuse University 'Cuse50 sign, indoors at an event.

Otto had fun joking around with the award winners. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

’CUSE50 Entrepreneurship Summit (Nov. 15)

Audience members viewing a presentation at the 'CUSE50 Summit 2024, featuring discussions on harnessing the potential of 50 fast-growing businesses.

The ’CUSE50 Summit included conversations and networking with the 50 fastest-growing alumni businesses. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

A person speaking at a podium in front of an audience with an orange background.

Alex McKelvie, professor of entrepreneurship and interim dean of the Whitman School, provided welcoming remarks at the summit. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Attendees engaging in conversation at a busy networking event.

Students met and networked with alumni founders and top executives of leading innovation companies at the ‘CUSE50 Summit. (Photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Attendees seated in a conference hall listening to a speaker at the CUSE50 Summit 2024, held in the Flavium Grand Hall at Whitman School. A digital screen displays a QR code for accessing the event program.

Haynie addressed the ’CUSE50 Summit attendees. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Five panelists are seated in front of a chalkboard with "Case 50" written on it, engaging with an audience in a university classroom.

’CUSE50 honorees participated in various panel discussions. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Students seated in a university classroom, engaged in a discussion with a speaker.

Students engaged with ’CUSE50 honorees. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Two people high-fiving, creating a joyful atmosphere.

The ’CUSE50 Summit brought out great conversations and collaboration. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

A person presenting at a lecture hall with students seated facing the speaker.

Students participated in a spirited “Six for Six” student pitch competition. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)

Three individuals posing with a large ceremonial check at the 'Cuse for Summit event at Syracuse University Whitman School of Management.

Nicolas Courbage ’26 (center), student in the Whitman School and founder of PapeX, won the “Six for Six” student pitch competition. (Photo by Chuck Wainwright)