Questions?
Call (440) 826-2393 or email BWcig@bw.edu.
CIG Network Events
CIGtalks are get-togethers for area entrepreneurs, BW students and alumni interested in building social capital and connecting with innovative thought leaders. CIGtalks are held to promote engaging discussions around innovation opportunities and their role in Northeast Ohio's future. The free events usually take place one Tuesday each month, except for months when we combine the CIGtalk with CIG's spring and fall Innovation Summits. Satisfy your appetite with pizza and stimulating conversation on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.!
Spring 2013 CIGtalks
EARTHQUAKER DEVICES
Tuesday, February 12 @ the CIG
340 Front Street, Berea, Ohio
EarthQuaker Devices (Akron, Ohio) - BW (and SPROUT) '01 grad Julie Robbins and husband, former Black Keys tour manager Jamie Stillman, wowed the crowd at the February CIGtalk. They shared their entrepreneurial success story about turning their passion for music into "one of the most creative, futuristically retro stompbox outfits in the biz." (Premier Guitar magazine)
BOLD ALTERNATIVES
Tuesday, March 19 | 5:30 p.m. @ the CIG
Bold Alternatives (Cleveland, Ohio) - Rob Martens, founder of one of the most active solar businesses in the area shared how his company has been pushing the boundaries of technology and applications for the solar industry since its 2007 launch. Students and guests learned how action-oriented individuals turned passion into a business model that really got things going (and even led to the 416 solar panels installed on top of the CIG roof!
INNOVATION SUMMITS are in-depth, semi-annual events where national and international innovation leaders take deep dives into challenges and solutions faced by organizations in our VUCA (volatile, unstable, complex, ambiguous) economy. The format focuses on problem-solving and the challenges of innovation faced by companies in the region. Learn from the successes and trials of area leaders while building social capital!
BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD EVENTS are bi-weekly meetings of BW's Community of Entrepreneurs. Half of the events feature presentations from successful local entrepreneurs, including several BW alumni. The other events are informational (e.g. "Non-Profits and Social Entrepreneurship"). Each event features a 15-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A session and networking. Pizza is served at all.