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Entrepreneurship Initiative

The mission of the Entrepreneurship Initiative is to encourage entrepreneurial activity in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts by fostering an educational environment among participating colleges and universities that informs, supports, and inspires students, and by recognizing and awarding students who display entrepreneurial spirit.

Harold Grinspoon, real estate entrepreneur, founded the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) in 2003 (a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation) to elevate the importance of entrepreneurship and recognize entrepreneurial excellence among college students. A regional collaboration of Pioneer Valley colleges and universities, Grinspoon EI hosts two high-profile events, and recognizes outstanding students with Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards.

Grinspoon EI delivers annually

Successful collaboration among 14 Participating colleges and universities led by entrepreneurial-minded faculty
Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards exceeding $630,000 to over 825 students since 2003
Annual fall Entrepreneurship Conference with almost 500 student attendees. Speakers and hands-on sessions for early-stage entrepreneurs.
Annual spring Banquet attended each year by 450 students, faculty, college presidents, and business leaders.
Annual Elevator Pitch Competition sponsored by community banks. There have been over 206 Pitch Contestants and 15 winners.

Participating Colleges

American International College	Marshall Epstein
Amherst College	Emily Griffen
Bay Path University	Laurie Rosner
Elms College	Amanda Garcia
Greenfield Community College	Michelle Barthelemy
Hampshire College	Dawn Leaks, Roxanne Finn
Holyoke Community College	Ellen Majka
Mt. Holyoke College	Rick Feldman
Smith College	Susannah Howe, Rene Heavlow
Springfield College	Pam Baran, Eileen Cyr
Springfield Technical Community College	Diane Sabato
University of Massachusetts	Stephen Brand, Bob Lowry
Western New England University	Mary Schoonmaker
Westfield State University	Kim Sherman, Bradford Knipes

Events

Annual Conference
Banquet
Entrepreneurship Awards

Contact

For more information please contact Cari Carpenter: [email protected] or 413-276-0831.

Participating Colleges

View the list