6th Annual Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit + 11th Annual Swim with the Sharks

Date and Time

Wednesday Sep 27, 2023
11:00 AM - 6:30 PM EDT

Location

Penn Cinema Riverfront 14 + IMAX
401 S Madison St,
Wilmington, DE 19801

Fees/Admission

General Admission Full-Day (Member): $80
General Admission Full-Day (Non-Member): $89*
Swim with the Sharks Only (Member): $15*
Swim with the Sharks Only (Non-Member): $20*

Website

Learn More

Contact Information

Cathy Holloway
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6th Annual Delaware Entrepreneurial S...

Description

Celebrate Delaware's entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and thriving start-up community!

Join us for a high-impact event focused around the Delaware start-up and small business community with five interactive panel discussions, two keynotes, networking opportunities, genius bar with area experts and resources, and a $10,000+ pitch competition! Workshops will be lead by topic experts from across different industries that will focus on accelerating your businesses growth.

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Schedule

11:00 a.m. Registration + Networking Lunch

11:45 a.m. Welcome by Mistress of Ceremonies, Founder of Women of MORE, Michelle Washington & Moment of Silence in Memory of Will Minster

Will Minster was a champion of small businesses and startups, and a valued member of our Delaware Entrepreneurial Summit planning committee.

11:50 a.m. Opening Keynote by Best Selling Author & CEO of Quintessence Group, Melinda F. Emerson

Melinda F. Emerson, "SmallBizLady" is America's #1 Small Business Expert. She is a bestselling author, keynote speaker and marketing expert. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target small businesses. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, and Fix Your Business, a 90 Day Plan to Get Back Your Life and Reduce Chaos in Your Business. In addition to being a former New York Times columnist, she is frequently quoted by media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, Fortune, USA Today, MSNBC, CNBC, ABC News, Entrepreneur, Inc., Essence and Black Enterprise. HubSpot named her one of the top business coaches in America. LinkedIn named her a Top Voice for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Forbes magazine named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.

12:30 p.m. Special Recognition to be Announced

1:00 p.m. Adventures in Marketing: Building a Blockbuster Brand

In this workshop, hear cutting-edge tactics that will revolutionize your approach to marketing and branding. Learn how to bring a brand to market with killer omni-channel marketing strategies and content. Experience the spark of creativity that will set your brand ablaze and launch it into a blockbuster success.

Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer at Launch Point Labs, Damon Martin
Chief Technology Officer for Future's First Gaming, Malcolm Coley (Facilitator)

1:00 p.m. The Inventors Journey: The Pursuit of a Product

Have a Flash of Genius? Navigate the twists and turns of the inventor's odyssey with confidence. From rapid prototyping to continuous iteration, learn how to refine your invention into a tangible product that meets customer needs and expectations. Hear from experts who have taking the path less traveled as they guide you through the exciting journey of product development and bringing your invention to market successfully.

Director of Product Development for NextFab, Matt Bell
SCORE Bucks County Mentor, Leah Cianfrani
University of Delaware's Library Service Patent & Trademark Resource Center, Sarah Katz
Inventor & Owner of ByeByeCry, Samantha Myers
President of OmniPotential, Cora Castle (Moderator)

1:45 p.m. Networking Break

2:00 p.m. The People's CEO: Nurturing a Culture of Collaboration, Empathy, and Outcomes

At the heart of extraordinary leadership lies the superpower to foster collaboration. Explore the power of inclusivity, team dynamics, and collective problem-solving to unlock the full potential of your team. Learn how to create a culture where diversity is celebrated, and every team member is empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives. Leave with the tools to be a leader who not only drives success but also leaves a positive impact on your team, your organization, and the world.

President of Goldey-Beacom College, Dr. Colleen Perry Keith
Founder of NERDiT Now, Markevis Gideon
Executive Director of Tech Council of Delaware, Zakiyyah Ali (Moderator)

2:00 p.m. Show Me the Money: Attracting Investors at Every Stage

Step into the spotlight and let us illuminate your path to developing a financial forecast that attracts investors. Learn strategies for positioning your business for growth and how to craft a compelling narrative that captivates potential backers as an irresistible investment opportunity. Our expert mentors will share invaluable tips on showcasing the brilliance of your business in numbers, and conveying your passion with magnetic charisma.

Entrepreneur Coach/Advisor/Consultant, Earl Boyd
CEO of Toivoa, Laura Randa
Director of Women's Business Center at True Access Capital, Sara Crawford (Moderator)

2:45 p.m. Networking Break

3:00 p.m. Crash Course: Starting a Cannabis Business in Delaware

Dazed and Confused? Learn expert legal strategies on how to position yourself, and your Half Baked cannabis business idea, on the Pineapple Express to success. The workshop will cover the pitfalls, regulatory processes, and legal strategies for launching to ensure your startup will not go Up in Smoke.

Partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Peter Murphy
Founder of American Fiber Company, James Brobyn

4:00 p.m. Closing Keynote: Following Your North Star: People, Profit, and the Planet by Eddy's COO by Amy Johnston

In this inspiring keynote address, we embark on a voyage of purpose, exploring the power of aligning our aspirations with a guiding light - our North Star. Join us as we navigate the intersection of people, profit, and the planet, discovering how embracing this triple bottom line can lead us to a future of profound fulfillment and sustainable success.

4:30 p.m. After Party Sponsored by Plush Vodka

5:30 p.m. Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition

In partnership with: