Sparking Entrepreneurial Dreams: Meredith College Students Shine at RTP Pitch Event
Yesterday, I had the privilege of accompanying two remarkable Meredith College students to the First Flight Venture Center in Research Triangle Park (RTP) for an inspiring pitch practice battle. The event brought together student entrepreneurs across North Carolina, including representatives from Duke, UNC, NC State, UNCW, NCCU, ECU, and Wake Tech.
Representatives from North Carolina Universities pitch at the First Flight Venture Center March Madness Pitch Practice.
Innovative Ideas Taking Flight
Seniors and Strays: Combating Loneliness Through Technology
Aniston Sennet, a senior at Meredith College, introduced a groundbreaking concept called "Seniors and Strays" – an AI-powered matchmaking platform designed to connect seniors with shelter animals. Her innovative solution addresses a critical social issue: loneliness among seniors, particularly those in living facilities that restrict pet ownership.
The brilliance of the idea lies in its thoughtful approach:
Virtual animal interaction through a monthly subscription model
A specially designed bus that transports animals to senior living locations
Potential revenue stream through pet-centered company advertising
Allows seniors to enjoy animal companionship without the full responsibility of pet ownership
Aniston's pitch, developed alongside teammates Bridget Rowe and Lizzy Smith, recently won the Meredith College Entrepreneurship Challenge.
RE-Byte: Reimagining E-Waste as Art and Education
Angie Amaya, a junior at Meredith College, presented RE-Byte, an innovative approach to addressing electronic waste. Her concept goes far beyond traditional recycling:
Partnering with companies to transform discarded technology into commissioned art pieces
Collaborating with artists to create meaningful art installations that reflect corporate values
Teaching young people repair skills and creative reuse
Offering a sustainable alternative to landfill disposal or overseas waste shipping
A Journey of Discovery
What struck me most was not just the innovative ideas, but the transformative personal journeys of these students. Neither Aniston nor Angie had previously seen entrepreneurship as a viable career path. This experience has opened their eyes to the possibility of charting their own course and creating livelihoods based on their passions and purpose.
The Bigger Picture
As we continue to develop entrepreneurship education at Meredith College, these students embody our core mission. Entrepreneurship offers a powerful alternative in a landscape where regulatory and corporate policies may challenge diversity and inclusion. We're not waiting for pathways to be created – we're creating them ourselves.
Our goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders, particularly female founders who are passionate about solving complex, meaningful problems. Entrepreneurship is more than a career path – it's a mindset of innovation, resilience, and hope.
The Spirit of ACT-LEARN-BUILD: Entrepreneurial Thought & Action®
These students exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® (ET&A™), a methodology pioneered by Heidi Neck at Babson College. This approach is about developing a skill set and mindset that goes beyond traditional business launch – it's about creating change, leading teams, and making a social impact.
The ET&A™ methodology emphasizes the power of acting, learning, and building. Our students courageously stepped forward with ideas still in their earliest stages, demonstrating the true essence of entrepreneurship: the willingness to start, to learn, and to grow. They didn't wait for the perfect plan; instead, they took action, embraced learning, and committed to building something meaningful.
To Aniston, Angie, and all the student entrepreneurs who participated – you are the future. Keep dreaming, keep building, and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.