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2022 has been a year full of adventure, new beginnings, and incredible memories here at the Big Idea Center! With another year in the books, we would like to take a moment to look back and reflect upon the stories that 2022 has brought us as we highlight our 10 most popular Big Idea Blog posts of 2022! We hope that as you browse these insightful articles written by Pitt alum, current Pitt students, Big Idea Center staff, and more, that you gain inspiration from their points of view as well as additional knowledge to further equip you on your innovation and entrepreneurial journey as you head into 2023!
Happy reading!
The AithELITE Story: A Former Pitt Student-Athlete's Entrepreneurial Playbook to Intersecting AI and Athletics
by Michael Vardzel '19, University of Pittsburgh College of Business Administration Alum
In celebration of this year's homecoming, our Big Idea Blog is showed some Panther pride with an article written by Pitt College of Business Administration alum and former student-athlete Michael Vardzel '19, Founder & President of AithELITE! In this blog post, learn how Mike used his experience as a student-athlete and passion for coaching to develop his sports tech startup. Also, Mike shares some sport-inspired lessons that influenced his approach to entrepreneurship.
Our TeamFinder Experience: Finding a Teammate and a Friend!
by Oliver Yao '22, Joe Slomowitz '23, and Avi Moses '24
Get to Know Pitt's Newest Saxbys Student C.E.O.s: Shivani Gandhi '25, Dylan Minnick '24, & Maggie Yu '25
a Big Idea Center Q&A with Shivani Gandhi '25, Dylan Minnick '24, and Maggie Yu '25
Get to know the Pitt College of Business Administration students who are running each of Pitt's Saxbys cafes during the Fall 2022 semester! In our newest blog post, Pitt Saxbys Student C.E.O.s Shivani Gandhi '25, Dylan Minnick '24, and Maggie Yu '25 talk about their Saxbys experience and lessons they've learned so far, what their favorite Saxbys menu item is, what things they're looking forward to this semester, and more!
Seeking Out Failure
by Anna Li '28, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Student and Founder/CEO of Korion Health
The world of entrepreneurship is riddled with risk, and just the risk of experiencing failure alone is enough to make most people feel uncomfortable and doubt themselves. However, Pitt medical student and Founder/CEO of Korion Health Anna Li has a different approach to failure -- she has learned to not only embrace it, but also transform it into an empowering asset. In celebration of Women Entrepreneurship Week, Anna shares how her personal and professional life experiences have shaped her encouraging philosophy towards failure and discusses some key insights on adopting a similar state of mind about this daunting topic.
The Cool, Crisp Taste of Innovation: What I Learned During My Visit to the World of Coca-Cola
by Tiffany Bicek MBA '24, the Big Idea Center's Outreach and Engagement Coordinator and University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business PMBA Candidate
In May 2022, our Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Tiffany Bicek took a trip down to Atlanta, Georgia -- also known as the birthplace Coca-Cola! During her stay, Tiffany visited the World of Coca-Cola, a museum dedicated to the history of America's favorite beverage.
In this blog article, Tiffany shares what cool things she learned about the creation and innovation of Coke. So sit back, grab a fizzy beverage, and enjoy this refreshing read!
Going Green with Gasoline: How Ingevity is Fueling the Transportation Industry with its Renewable Gas Solutions
by Mel Amago MBA '23, University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business MBA Candidate
During the month of March, the Big Idea Blog went "green" and featured topics around sustainable business. Over spring break, Mel Amago MBA '23, University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business MBA Candidate and previous University of Pittsburgh Center for Sustainable Business | CSB's Ingevity Fellow, travelled to Charleston, South Carolina to visit Ingevity's headquarters. In this blog article, Mel discusses how Ingevity is utilizing adsorbed natural gases to fuel more sustainable transportation as well as a healthier environment!
A Dash of Determination: A Baker's Guide to Innovation
by Maansi Shah '25, University of Pittsburgh College of Business Administration Student and the Big Idea Center's Student Events and Outreach & Engagement Assistant
The ability to adapt and overcome is key in entrepreneurship, and the same holds true when it comes to baking! During the pandemic, University of Pittsburgh student Maansi Shah '25 took her passion for baking eggless desserts to the next level and began BakedbyMaansi. However, executing successful egg-free recipes is no easy feat: Maansi constantly exercises her ingenuity in order to create delectable desserts using a variety of substitutions.
Sink your teeth into our latest blog article as Maansi shares the story behind BakedbyMaansi and important lessons she's learned along the way. You'll come to find that bakers and entrepreneurs have more in common than you think!
+ Plus, Maansi includes two of her favorite recipes for you to try at home!
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My Battery "Cell-ution" to Climate Change
by Becca Segel, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering Chemical Engineering PhD Candidate and CEO of FlowCellutions
How can a battery cell reduce climate change? (And what do orca whales have anything to do with it?) In this blog post, we’re catching up with Becca Segel, a University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering PhD student and CEO of FlowCellutions, as she delves deeper into how her idea answers these questions as well as shares her entrepreneurial journey with the Big Idea Center and advice for students interested in innovation!
Get to Know Josie Stein '24, Big Idea Center Student Marketing Assistant
a Big Idea Center Q&A with Josie Stein '24, University of Pittsburgh College of Business Administration Student and the Big Idea Center's Student Marketing Assistant
We have a new face on the Big Idea Center team! As of November 2022, we've welcomed Josie Stein onboard as our first-ever Student Marketing Assistant! In this newly created role, Josie will help support our center's marketing efforts as we rapidly expand our services and offerings. Get to know more about Josie in this fun Q&A blog article!
Seven Touches: The Value of Follow-Up in Startup Fundraising
by Dan Broderick, Founder of the Mid-America Healthcare Investor Network (MHIN) and Global AgTech Investor Network (GAIN)
Fundraising is one of the hardest tasks entrepreneurs undertake. It takes a lot of preparation and time to pitch to various investors! And with investors seeing hundreds (if not thousands!) of startup pitches throughout the year, how can you ensure that investors keep your business at the top of their minds? Here, it's crucial to build an ongoing, valuable connection with investors that goes beyond your initial pitch.
In this blog post, Dan Broderick, Founder of the Mid-America Healthcare Investor Network (MHIN) and Global AgTech Investor Network (GAIN), shares seven ways entrepreneurs can use the power of follow-up with investors to raise capital for their startup company.
