Entrepalooza to show how diversity can empower entrepreneurs

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The university’s annual entrepreneurial symposium Entrepalooza is set for Sept. 25 and will explore how diversity in teams, ideas and backgrounds can empower an entrepreneurial journey.

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The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is joining forces with entrepreneurship programs across U-M to host the event — titled “Entrepreneurship through the Kaleidoscope” — at the Michigan League.

Katherine “Katty” Kay, lead anchor of BBC World News America and co-author of “The Confidence Code,” will deliver the keynote for this year’s symposium. She will offer insight into what it takes to create and inspire the confidence needed to take the risks involved in entrepreneurship.

Entrepalooza brings together entrepreneurial leaders to share their insights and experiences with students from many areas of study, alumni, faculty and members of the broader business community.

This year’s program is designed to celebrate and explore the ways diversity takes shape in entrepreneurship through TED Talk-style insights from entrepreneurs who are empowering the underrepresented, transforming social climates and exploring new industries.

It is co-hosted by the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Engineering, the School of Public Health’s Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship program, the School of Information’s Entrepreneurship Program, the School of Music Theatre & Dance’s EXCEL Program, and Innovate Blue, the university’s campuswide entrepreneurship initiative.

Following Kay’s keynote address at 9 a.m., the half-day symposium will continue with a series of sessions from some of Michigan’s most successful entrepreneurs.

Each speaker will encourage an interactive session, focusing on areas including angel investing, food and sustainability entrepreneurship, technology entrepreneurship and arts entrepreneurship.

SMTD Dean Aaron Dworkin, founder of the Sphinx Organization, a national arts organization that focuses on youth and minority involvement in classical music, will kick off this portion of the program.

Other confirmed speakers include:

• Nate Aschenbach, co-founder of GameStart.

• Justin DeLay, U-M alumnus, and chief marketing oficer and co-founder of Tempo IQ.

• Jill Ford, special adviser to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, head of innovation and entrepreneurship for the city of Detroit.

• Mary Lemmer, U-M alumna, and chief executive officer and co-founder of Scape.

• Lisa McLaughlin, U-M alumna, and CEO and co-founder of Workit Health.

• Dawn White, chief technology officer, co-founder and president of Accio Energy.

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