Opportunities for the Entrepreneurial-Minded

Endicott offers many opportunities for students and alumni to grow as entrepreneurs.

If you’re no stranger to Endicott College, you’ve probably heard about Spark Tank, Endicott’s annual business plan competition, more than a few times.  

Spark Tank is an annual competition in which students compete for a total of $15,000 in startup capital to launch their most promising ideas. Last year’s Spark Tank grand prize-winner, CropShop, has gained the attention of seed funding accelerator, YCombinator. CropShop’s farm-to-chef app bridges the gap between local farmers and restaurants. Founded by two soon-to-graduate Endicott students, A.J. Marcinek ’19 and Cam Bleck ’19, CropShop will present at this year’s Spark Tank, which is sponsored by the Cummings Foundation and TD Charitable Foundation. This year’s judges are Michelle Labossiere, chief financial officer of Colmar Belting; Jugmi Rao, vice president at TD Bank; Ric Upton, entrepreneur-in-residence at Endicott; and Gary Vogel, senior operations manager at LabCentral.

Other Endicott programs, spread over the academic year, lead up to Spark Tank.  SparkU is Endicott’s weekend startup bootcamp and SparkX is an innovative virtual coaching program led by an entrepreneur, for entrepreneurs.  These and other programs, many open to the greater public, are what differentiates the Endicott entrepreneurial experience.

The “Spark” Journey

Endicott offers numerous opportunities for students and alumni to learn and grow as entrepreneurs. Here we explain each of them.

Spark Tank

Spark Tank is one of many exciting initiatives undertaken by FUEL, the student business accelerator at Endicott’s Angle Center for Entrepreneurship.

This year is Endicott’s fifth annual Spark Tank, a competition in which students compete for a total of $15,000 in startup capital to launch their most promising ideas. “Our student entries are strong,” says Deirdre Sartorelli, assistant dean of the Colin & Erika Angle Center for Entrepreneurship at Endicott. “Many have been working on their ideassince our startup boot camp weekend last fall, so their business models are refined and have great potential.” Sartorelli adds, “We are pleased to have the Cummings Foundation and TD Bank as presenting sponsors again this year, and our judges, all of whom are accomplished in their own right, will bring their unique experiences with them to help evaluate the students.” This event is free and open to the public. 

Spark Tank Event Details

“Spark Tank” Business Plan Competition
Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m.
Endicott College
Curtis L. Gerrish School of Business & Ginger Judge Science Center
Klebanoff Auditorium
376 Hale St. Beverly, MA 01915

Spark X

Spark X is a virtual workshop where individuals ignite their life, business, and learn to make an impact. With support of funding from the Cummings Foundation grant, the five-week curriculum holds weekly education sessions and four weeks of virtual sessions.  The goal of Spark X is to help with goal creation for each entrepreneur’s business.

Spark U

The Angle Center for Entrepreneurship hosted its 2nd Annual Spark U Event this past fall on Endicott’s campus. Spark U is an entrepreneurial workshop weekend designed to spark the startup bug in anyone contemplating launching their own startup. Spark U students hear from subject matter experts, become immersed in interactive workshops, and have a chance to pitch their ideas in front of a panel who provide concrete feedback. This event is open to the greater North Shore community.

More information on the Angle Center for Entrepreneurship is available at endicott.edu.