Center for Experiential Learning | Entrepreneurial Celebration Dinner

Events
Kick-off Speaker Ole Ventures Business Plan Pitch Competition OASIS Chapel Presentation and Panel of Speakers Entrepreneurial Grant Poster Session Social Innovation Case Challenge	Robert Stephens Founder of Geek Squad Featured Kick-off Speaker! Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 Science Center 280 , 7:00 p.m. A native of Chicago, Robert left a scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1990 to pursue a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. While attending the University, he landed a job fixing computers for the Human Factors Research Laboratory. Over a three year period, he rose to become head engineer of the lab while earning scholarships from the U.S. Navy and the FAA building flight and driving simulators. It was also during this time he started a computer consulting business. In April 1994, after three years at the University, he formed The Geek Squad with $200. In 2002, The Geek Squad acquired Best Buy and opened Geek Squad precincts in all Best Buy US and Canadian stores. With over 17,000 Agents , The Geek Squad is now North America's largest technology support company offering phone, in-store, and in-home support. It also has operations in Canada, Mexico, China, Spain and the U.K.

Events

Kick-off Speaker

Ole Ventures Business Plan Pitch Competition

OASIS Chapel Presentation and Panel of Speakers

Entrepreneurial Grant Poster Session

Social Innovation Case Challenge

Robert Stephens
Founder of Geek Squad

Featured Kick-off Speaker!

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Science Center 280 , 7:00 p.m.

A native of Chicago, Robert left a scholarship at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1990 to pursue a degree in computer science at the University of Minnesota. While attending the University, he landed a job fixing computers for the Human Factors Research Laboratory. Over a three year period, he rose to become head engineer of the lab while earning scholarships from the U.S. Navy and the FAA building flight and driving simulators. It was also during this time he started a computer consulting business. In April 1994, after three years at the University, he formed The Geek Squad with $200. In 2002, The Geek Squad acquired Best Buy and opened Geek Squad precincts in all Best Buy US and Canadian stores. With over 17,000 Agents , The Geek Squad is now North America's largest technology support company offering phone, in-store, and in-home support. It also has operations in Canada, Mexico, China, Spain and the U.K.

Ole Ventures Business Plan Pitch Competition
	Help decide who wins $300 in 3 minutes! Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 Regents New Science 210, 7:00 p.m. Have you ever heard of the term "elevator pitch"? It is basically an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride. Three p rofessional judges pick the top 3 finalists then you get to choose the ultimate winner by clicking in your favorite!!!!

Ole Ventures Business Plan Pitch Competition

Help decide who wins $300 in 3 minutes!

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Regents New Science 210, 7:00 p.m.

Have you ever heard of the term "elevator pitch"? It is basically an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride.

Three p rofessional judges pick the top 3 finalists then you get to choose the ultimate winner by clicking in your favorite!!!!

OASIS Chapel Presentation and Panel of Speakers
	Oles Advancing Social Innovation and Sustainability OASIS is a newly created group on-campus who are a learning community of students, faculty, staff and alumni actively engaged in social innovation and entrepreneurship. Their mission is to build and strengthen the capacity of individuals to develop innovative soltuions to social problems for a more just, sustainable world. Hear more from the student leadership team as they present in Chapel. Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 Boe Memorial Chapel, 11:00 a.m. The Social Entrepreneur Panel Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 Regents New Science 150, 7:00-8:30 p.m. As a part of Entrepreneurship week, OASIS (St. Olaf's Social Entrepreneurship group) is hosting a panel of 4 individuals who have shown excellence in social entrepreneurship both locally and globally. Join us on April 23 at 7:30pm in RNS in Rm 150. Chingwell Motumbu- Founder of First Step Initiative Chingwell established First Step Initiative, a microfinance organization, in order to create self employment opportunities for poor women in Katanga province in DR Congo. Chingwell realized that when a woman is empowered economically, her household ultimately benefits too as it is well known that women spend most of their income on their household. Dina Fessler- Director of Children's Cultural Connection War Kids Relief, a nonprofit peace-building program was created to promote tolerance and respect among youth living in countries of conflict. WKR directly connects American students with their Iraqi peers via letter and art exchanges, as well as teaching them cross-cultural dialog strategies and conflict resolution skills. Sarah Curfman- Grant Team Leader of Social Ventures Social Venture Partners is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that leverages the money and expertise of its members to promote philanthropy and improve the lives of “at risk” youth. They give both money and talents to help the organizations that help the children of Minnesota. They use experience as business entrepreneurs and investors, to seek out social entrepreneurs who are finding new ways to solve social problems. Gunnar Swenson - A Soldier's Walk for Peace As an Iraqi War Veteran, Gunnar will walk 1,000 miles this summer to raise awareness of the needs of children in war-torn countries.

OASIS Chapel Presentation and Panel of Speakers

Oles Advancing Social Innovation and Sustainability

OASIS is a newly created group on-campus who are a learning community of students, faculty, staff and alumni actively engaged in social innovation and entrepreneurship. Their mission is to build and strengthen the capacity of individuals to develop innovative soltuions to social problems for a more just, sustainable world.

Hear more from the student leadership team as they present in Chapel.

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
Boe Memorial Chapel, 11:00 a.m.

The Social Entrepreneur Panel

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
Regents New Science 150, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

As a part of Entrepreneurship week, OASIS (St. Olaf's Social
Entrepreneurship group) is hosting a panel of 4 individuals who have shown excellence in social entrepreneurship both locally and globally. Join us on April 23 at 7:30pm in RNS in Rm 150.

Chingwell Motumbu- Founder of First Step Initiative
Chingwell established First Step Initiative, a microfinance
organization, in order to create self employment opportunities for
poor women in Katanga province in DR Congo. Chingwell realized that when a woman is empowered economically, her household ultimately benefits too as it is well known that women spend most of their income on their household.

Dina Fessler- Director of Children's Cultural Connection
War Kids Relief, a nonprofit peace-building program was created to
promote tolerance and respect among youth living in countries of
conflict. WKR directly connects American students with their Iraqi
peers via letter and art exchanges, as well as teaching them
cross-cultural dialog strategies and conflict resolution skills.

Sarah Curfman- Grant Team Leader of Social Ventures
Social Venture Partners is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization
that leverages the money and expertise of its members to promote
philanthropy and improve the lives of “at risk” youth. They give both money and talents to help the organizations that help the children of Minnesota. They use experience as business entrepreneurs and investors, to seek out social entrepreneurs who are finding new ways to solve social problems.

Gunnar Swenson - A Soldier's Walk for Peace
As an Iraqi War Veteran, Gunnar will walk 1,000 miles this summer to raise awareness of the needs of children in war-torn countries.

Entrepreneurial Grant Poster Session
	Grant Poster Session & Marketplace Friday, April 24th, 2009 Buntrock Commons Crossroads, 10:00-1:00 p.m. Students who have received an entrepreneurial grant will be displaying information on their entreprenerial venture. Various grant recipients will have merchanise for sale.

Entrepreneurial Grant Poster Session

Grant Poster Session & Marketplace

Friday, April 24th, 2009
Buntrock Commons Crossroads, 10:00-1:00 p.m.

Students who have received an entrepreneurial grant will be displaying information on their entreprenerial venture.

Various grant recipients will have merchanise for sale.

Social Innovation Case Challenge
	Case Challenge Competition Monday, April 27th, 2009 Minneapolis Thrivent offered the opportunity to student to apply their interest in social change by working on a team to market a solution that will help an existing non-profit solve one of their real-life challenges. Roughly 15 students will be competing in the inaugural Social Innovation Case Challenge on April 27 at the Thrivent Headquarters in Minneapolis. The students are to develop an innovative plan that uses social media to raise awareness and recruit volunteers for the nonprofit organizations of Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity.

Social Innovation Case Challenge

Case Challenge Competition

Monday, April 27th, 2009
Minneapolis

Thrivent offered the opportunity to student to apply their interest in social change by working on a team to market a solution that will
help an existing non-profit solve one of their real-life challenges.

Roughly 15 students will be competing in the inaugural Social Innovation Case Challenge on April 27 at the Thrivent Headquarters in Minneapolis. The students are to develop an innovative plan that uses social media to raise awareness and recruit volunteers for the nonprofit organizations of Thrivent Builds and Habitat for Humanity.