CEN: Cornell Entrepreneur Network | Alumni, parents, and friends

We miss gathering together in person to learn, connect, and further our networks. And while that is on pause for now, we are still here and want to share helpful resources and provide learning opportunities. We’ve refreshed our website to highlight digital offerings to view at your leisure that can add value to your lifelong learning and professional journies. Until then, be well and be safe – Amanda Hatcher, Senior Associate Director of the Cornell Entrepreneur Network

As an entrepreneur or business leader, do you sometimes feel like you live on that slick edge between huge risk and unlimited potential? CEN gives you stories to refer to in uncertain moments, the inside scoop on extraordinary successes, and real examples of how it’s done. Best of all, CEN puts you in the same room with Cornellians at all stages of the game. Soak up our presentations and make priceless connections in dozens of cities around the country and globe, as well as online. Wow us with your elevator speech in our open mic segment. Grab a drink, ask questions, and add us to your favorites. You can thank us at your IPO.

Amanda Hatcher

Senior Associate Director

607-254-7111

amc392@cornell.edu

Xiomara Samantha Grossett

Program Assistant

607-255-7084

xsg2@cornell.edu

A Legacy Business, On Point Content, & Oh yeah, Politics with Media Ace, Catherine Merrill ’91

October 22, 2020 | 12:00 PM ET | Online

How do you balance an award-winning lifestyle media brand situated in the heart of D.C. without going cray-cray? A tongue-in-cheek approach takes the cake at the Washingtonian where lead stories on the company’s website with over 3 million page views/month include a “2020 Vice Presidential Debate Drinking Game” and “Lifestyles of the Rich and Quarantined.” Our pre-election broadcast will feature Catherine Merrill ’91, CEO and President of Washingtonian Media, for an inside glimpse at how a print publication (Washingtonian Magazine) still captures the eyes of 400,000 readers monthly and charts year over year growth! Merrill will also reveal how she took over the company her father started while maintaining close relationships with her siblings who are not involved in the biz, and the secret to crushing it in a tough town like D.C.

Presented by Entrepreneurship at Cornell and the Cornell Entrepreneur Network

Eclectic Convergence

November 13, 2020 | 11:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET | Online

Experience our wonderful mix of speakers as they share their personal stories and perspectives.

Don’t miss your chance to listen to amazing speakers, network with fellow Cornellians, students and business executives, and watch some of Cornell’s bright students pitch their business ideas.

CEN on-demand

Beer & Business with the 2020 Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year

Join 2020 Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year and Co-founder of The Brooklyn Brewery, Steve Hindy ’71, MAT ’73. Hindy talk about his experiences as an entrepreneur while guiding us through a tasting of Brooklyn Brewery’s beers!

An Entrepreneur’s Dream with Rob Ryan ’69, Co-founder of Ascend Communications

What does it take to get acquired for $24 billion? Rob Ryan ’69, who co-founded Ascend Communications with his wife Terry Ryan ’69, tells all! It started with the idea to help internet service providers (ISPs) connect users around the globe and resulted in one of the largest technology mergers in history! You'll also get an insider’s view of The Sunflower Model, Rob's signature business methodology used to gauge whether your startup concept is feasible and scalable.

Special thanks to Rob and Terry for giving the foundational gift to start the Cornell Entrepreneur Network (CEN) almost 20 years ago!

1:1 with Verizon’s Chief Diversity Officer

The work force and work place are changing, and diversity and inclusion are a big part of the conversation. Ideally, we are all thinking about how to make positive changes in our workplaces. Whether you’re an entrepreneur leading a startup or part of a larger organization, you will want to hear from Magda Yrizzary ’84, MRP ’03, P ’18, Verizon’s Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.

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Connect to your network

Join alumni network on LinkedIn

Connect with more than 57,000 Cornellians and escape the pesky referral process. Plus, the Cornell logo will be added to your profile!

Cornell entrepreneurship list serve

Looking to connect with Cornell entrepreneurs? Join our Entrepreneurial List Serve and you'll be able to send and receive emails about all things eship-related to other Cornell alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and more. Emails are monitored to prevent spamming. To join, email Entrepreneurship-L-request@cornell.edu with the body of the email containing only the word "join."

Entrepreneurial resources

CEN is just one of many ways you can leverage Cornell to help you start or grow your business. From finding programs based in Silicon Valley to meeting your next mentor. The Cornell entrepreneurship ecosystem is always available to you.