Entrepreneurs developing startup ventures got to pitch their ideas as part of the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute (YEI) Demo Day late last month, part of a host of events and programming supporting entrepreneurial studies at the Yale School of Management.
At Demo Day, YEI’s managing director Jim Boyle noted that the YEI Fellowship Program – a 10-week summer program that provides funding and support to startup teams from across the university to develop their ventures – has grown dramatically since it launched in 2007. Teams raised $600,000 to fund their ventures in the program’s first year, compared to $104 million raised by fellows in 2014.
Boyle also highlighted the launch of a new Program on Entrepreneurship at the school, which will provide even more resources for student startups. “We see great things ahead for the whole Yale community,” he said.
The YEI Demo Day, on July 24th, drew students, mentors, local entrepreneurs and potential investors. Startups participated as part of the YEI Fellowship and the new YEI Summer Venture Creation Program (VCP), which is an extension of the institute’s academic year program. Ventures ranged from a professional clothing brand focused on sustainably sourced and responsibly manufactured apparel to a service that lets corporate clients rent museum quality art instead of buying it. In all, they spanned industries including technology, medical devices, clothing, food and communications.
At the conclusion of the Demo Day, audience members voted to award a $1,000 prize to 109 Design, a compliance monitor and feedback system to improve outcomes for scoliosis patients.
Learn more about entrepreneurship at Yale SOM, including YEI Demo Day.
