On the evening of February 6, 2023, the Owen Center for Entrepreneurship hosted the Cocktails & Connection event at 5th and Taylor in Nashville, TN.
The event was designed to provide an opportunity for members of the Vanderbilt entrepreneurial ecosystem to meet and connect with each other and to share their innovative ideas and businesses. The event was a huge success, with attendees making new connections and enjoying a wonderful networking experience.
The event was kicked off by a welcome message from Dean Eric Johnson. Dr. Michael Burcham, theC4E Faculty Director, also spoke about the power of the Vanderbilt entrepreneurial ecosystem and the role it plays in supporting the growth and success of entrepreneurs.
Stacie Pawlicki, Director of the C4E, then unveiled the C4E Connector to the community. The C4E Connector is a new platform designed to help entrepreneurs connect with investors, other entrepreneurs, and members of the Vanderbilt entrepreneurial community. This innovative platform will be an invaluable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them to find the support and resources they need to launch and grow their businesses.
Three young entrepreneurs then had the opportunity to pitch their businesses to the audience. The first was Nathen Youssef and Christal Hector, who pitched their web-based platform TuneHatch. TuneHatch is a platform that helps musicians and other artists connect with fans and promote their work online. The second was Mary Cayten Brakefield, who pitched her universal clothing company, Brakefields. Brakefields designs clothing that can be worn by people of all ages, sizes, and abilities; making it easier for everyone to find comfortable and stylish clothes that fit well. The third was Max Mona, who pitched his software company, Atmos. Atmos is a software platform that helps companies measure and improve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.
The programming concluded with an open mic in which community members could make an ask of the audience for support in their business. This provided a great opportunity for attendees to share their own entrepreneurial endeavors to seek support and advice from others in the community.
The Cocktails & Connection event was a great success, and a testament to the power of the Vanderbilt entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to meet and connect with each other, share their ideas, and learn from each other. The Owen Center for Entrepreneurship is committed to supporting the growth and success of entrepreneurs, and events like this are a great way to make that happen. Thank you to all who attended!