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Project Highlight - Students Create Parenting Book to Provide Resources for Tibetan Families Living in Exile:
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When Emma Hart embarked on a study-abroad program to Nepal, she never could have imagined that it would result in the creation of an impactful resource for Tibetan refugee families, and that she would get to collaborate with so many amazing people. Learn more about this incredible project here.
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NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Studio kicked off with a branding workshop!
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he Wond'ry partnered with Vanderbilt Athletics to host a brand workshop through the new NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Studio programming. Students heard from a panel of marketing experts, and participated in an activity to further improve branding.
A huge thank you to our panel: Jonathan Wynn, Amanda Banks, and Beth Raebeck Hall
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Social Innovation Wrapped up a Successful Semester:
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Smiles for days over here as Social Innovation’s two fall programs, Social Innovation Bootcamp and Social Changemakers, came to an end. Students in the Social Changemakers program presented research and recommendations to their community partners learning about human centered design, systems mapping, and design thinking methods, for ten weeks. The community partners included Hands On Nashville, the Mayors Office, Civic Design Center, Vanderbilt’s Title IX Office, and the Wond’ry’s own Fiber Arts Lab. Here's what a few participants had to say:
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Social Changemakers. Producing a tangible deliverable that is going to actually be used definitely exceeded any expectations I did have” - Allison Yi
“I loved the client facing work and meeting a new team of Vandy students!” - Everest Zhou
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Map the System Interest Meeting:
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The Wond’ry, Vanderbilt’s Innovation Center is launching a new Climate Innovation Accelerator this February that engages exclusively minority-owned small businesses or nonprofits. This 10 week, no-cost, executive education opportunity provides business owners an nonprofits an opportunity to gain insights from a corporate mentor with sustainability expertise and a student team dedicated to providing research and analysis for innovative opportunities that advance future-fit business and sustainability goals. The application deadline is January 20th.
Application Links:
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Builder and Sullivan Family Ideator Microgrants Awarded:
The Sullivan Family Ideator Program (6 weeks) and the Builder Program (10 weeks) at the Wond’ry provide university-affiliated innovators the tools and resources to evaluate ideas and launch an entrepreneurial venture or nonprofit. Our no-cost, virtual cohort programs are open to students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Participants can expect to engage with other innovators, mentors, and instructors to get feedback and to refine their projects during live sessions each Saturday of the program. Both programs conclude with a Pitch Day, where microgrants are awarded to a number of teams who excel.
Microgrant Recipients for Fall 2022:
Sullivan Family Ideator
- Apex Mobile Pharmacy, Ivan Ntwari
- AxonBlast, Neelesh Raj & Carol He
- CellByte, Juliana Yang
- Lifeward, Jackson Rusc
- Protasec, Jolie Grace Wareham & Andrew Coo
- SharePlan, Emma Neal, Sarah Ouadah, & Noah Thompson Orfiel
- Uniswipe, Phillip Scherbakov & Sofia DiCillo
Builder Program
- Able-Fi, Shannon Eshman
- Baseline, Nisala Kalupahan
- Booksy, Coco Gao, Yuhe Pan, & Emma Din
- Magaani App, Ajibola Oyewand
- Mirian, Brendon Cappelmann & Daniel Birkhea
- RIV Design, Chuan Wang & Michael Weiric
- STEMilk, Michelle Cunningham
- Twos, Joe Steilberg & Parker Klei
- Wave Nightlife, Tommy Pennington, Logan Glaizer, & Luke Rickers
“The programs have helped me better understand my target customers, identify their unmet needs, and evaluate the viability of Magaani App. While in the programs, I was exposed to world-class tutors and mentors that helped shape my business model and refine my value proposition. I also benefited immensely from resources like the VUIT Genius Bar, which was instrumental in my better understanding of the technological needs of my business.”
– Ajibola Oyewande, MBA Candidate at Vanderbilt ’23
- Sullivan Family Ideator (Self-Paced Program)
The Wond’ry recently launched our self-paced version of the Sullivan Family Ideator Program, which gives participants the tools to learn at their own pace and engage with our team during office hours. This is an excellent entry point into entrepreneurship and innovation for individuals without ideas but who desire to learn more.If you’re interested, we encourage you to reach out to Kyle Caruso at kyle.m.caruso@vanderbilt.edu to learn more.
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Class Highlight - Adaptive Fashion and Design Production: In Alex Sargent's class, THTR 3891: Adaptive Fashion Design and Production, students have been working with Lucy McGuire and her mother Elizabeth to alter her clothes to serve her short arm. Students who have helped are Sophia Potter, Trieu Trong, and Emerson Periera.
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DVF's In Charge Pitch Competition: On November 3rd, the Wond'ry's Yesi Sevilla and Deanna Meador traveled to New York to DVF (Diane von Furstenberg)'s flagship store in the meatpacking district to support and participate in the first-ever Incharge pitch competition. Incharge is a new initiative, started by Diane von Furstenberg, to empower and celebrate profound women from all walks of life. This unique event invited women entrepreneurs from the fashion, retail, and consumer goods space to apply to participate in this live pitch event. Six amazing women were selected as finalists and gave 5 minute pitches for their businesses- Ahriana Edwards, Founder and CEO of Vaila Shoes; Leah Gritton, Founder of drenchbar; Mimine Agbantou, Founder and Creative Director of Mimine AG; Orion B., Founder and CEO of BlackTravelBox®; Tania Kottoor, Co-founder and CEO of WESTxEAST; and Taylor Long, Founder, Designer and CEO of Nomads Swimwear. The winning team, Vaila Shoes, received an impressive prize package, including: $10K in microfunding from IRL Ventures, a 90-minute strategy session with IRL Ventures team, placement in DVF's Flagship store, placement in Showfields Noho, a seat in Vanderbilt University's entrepreneurship course for one semester, mentorship from Lindsay Albanese, up to $500 in patent funding from The Fileist's "be a fileist" grant program, legal and business advisory services from Fixer Advisory, and a feature on DVF socials and a chance to be a DVF Woman.
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Upcoming Events:There is always something going on at the Wond'ry!
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Crypto Chaos: Nashville experts weigh in on the future of crypto after FTX: Dec. 6th - 5:30 PM
Crypto is in chaos. FTX, formerly the largest crypto exchange platform, filed for bankruptcy Friday, putting the fate of nearly $7 billion in assets in question. Tomorrow, Nashville web3 experts will weigh in on the current crypto events, impending regulations and its effects on founders, investors and the community. (Free & Open to everyone). Click here to register. Check out our panelists!
Derek Brown Founder and CEO of Bunches
Wade Peery Chief Innovation Officer of FirstBank
Leah Wald Co-founder and CEO of Valkyrie
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Innovation Open Mic: Dec. 8In collaboration with I-Corps South at Georgia Institute of Technology, the Wond’ry hosts a monthly Innovation Open Mic event, where aspiring innovators are invited to practice presenting their ideas & projects to a panel of entrepreneurial experts & mentors. Register Here.
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Holiday Sweater Workshop: Dec. 8Please bring your own sweater, the FAB lab will provide items you can use to decorate your sweater with! Register Here.
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Renaissance Women's Summit: Feb. 25, 2023
Tickets for the 2023 Renaissance Women’s Summit are LIVE! This year the theme is MORE! More speakers, more vendors, more opportunities, more Renaissance women! We are so excited to host the space for the second annual conference for women entrepreneurs, hosted by Renaissance Marketing Group and Boss Talks. Join us for a day full of inspiring, empowering, & connecting with like-minded women!
This will be a day-long educational and motivational conference for female entrepreneurs – no matter the stage of their business. The event will cover all aspects of growing or starting your business with an emphasis on marketing; from social media marketing, to branding, accounting and legal matters, influencer marketing, hiring and management, operations and so much more. There will be networking opportunities, workshops, panel discussions, a market featuring Nashville female-owned businesses, a very special keynote (with speakers announced soon!), a pitch competition for young female entrepreneurs, cocktails, delicious local food and so much MORE. Register Here.
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State of the Word - Poetry Showcase: Dec. 16This regional poetry showcase has become a springboard for young leaders who wish to speak through silence, share thoughts with their community, or champion a new vision for themselves and the world. Register Here.
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Working at the Wond'ry
Current Full Time Positions:
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The Wond’ry Internship Network (WIN) provides a platform for undergraduate and graduate students from Tennessee-based institutions of higher learning to reach their inner innovator. Students can explore their passions by choosing between a variety of opportunities within one of the many Wond’ry practice areas (Biomedical Innovation, Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Research & Design, Making, the Launch Incubator, and the Wond’ry itself). Through each project, interns not only learn relevant skills but also make an impact by assisting in trailblazing work. To learn more and apply, visit our Work at the Wond'ry page.
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Dr. Mark HiltonProgram Manager, Entrepreneurship
Hello, I'm Mark! I'm originally from Buffalo, NY but moved to Nashville 5 years ago to attend grad school at Vanderbilt. I recently graduated with my doctorate in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering specializing in biotech, nanotech, optics and biophysics among other disciplines. While in graduate school, I had the incredible opportunity to get involved in tech commercialization and entrepreneurship with great help from the Wond'ry. From those efforts, I have co-founded a medical device startup, Optomar Technologies, with an invention from Vanderbilt. I have a passion for problem solving and commercializing new technology and see a great opportunity to channel University and regional innovation through the Wond'ry. I live with wife Michelle, and I'm also a huge Buffalo Bills fan. I like to play video games, I'm slowly compiling my own cook-book, and you can usually find me in the gym or in the pool.
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Challenges and Opportunities:
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Clinton Global Initiative Info Session: Dec. 8
On March 3 - 5, 2023 Vanderbilt will be hosting Clinton Global Initiative University!
Join the Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Provost, and Office of Experiential Learning & Immersion Vanderbilt on Thursday, December 8 at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom to learn more about the work of the Clinton Global Initiative University and how Commitment to Action projects, which address important social, economic and environmental challenges, can be used to fulfill Immersion Vanderbilt.
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Trailblazers Wanted – Fully-Funded Research Experience for Undergraduates
The Wond’ry is hosting an information session in January 2023 for undergraduate students to learn more about the CIRCUIT program at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. CIRCUIT offers undergraduate students an opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research while building skills to make significant contributions to science. Diverging from traditional summer internships, CIRCUIT students participate in a yearlong paid cohort-based research experience as integral members of APL project teams and participate in unique, hands-on learning in a fun, collaborative environment. STEM major is not required. Register for the info session here.
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More Opportunities:
- E-Grant Program - Learn More
Apr. - May, 2023 | Deadline: Feb. 1
- Nashville Environmental Sustainability Photo Contest - Learn More | Apr. 15 | Deadline: Feb. 15
- Collegiate Great Brands Competition - Learn More
Mar. 2023 | Deadline: Feb. 23 - Next Top Entrepreneur Competition - Learn More
Apr. 20, 2023 | Deadline: Mar. 22 - Summer Venture Lab: Berkley - Learn More
May 22 - Jun. 30, 2023 | Deadline: Mar. 31
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Support Our StudentsBy making your tax-deductible gift to our Wond’ry Student Project Fund, you help us award students with the funding they need to turn their ideas into reality. Donate here.
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