Syracuse Sun

The University is set to celebrate its alumni and student entrepreneurs with the ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards. This two-day event will feature a mix of recognition, networking, and competition aimed at honoring the 50 fastest-growing alumni businesses for 2024.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 14. It will highlight these successful businesses, culminating in the announcement of the top ten fastest-growing Orange businesses. Tracy Barlok, senior vice president and chief advancement officer, stated: “We are excited to be hosting this event again this year to welcome our distinguished alumni back to campus to honor their remarkable accomplishments.” She emphasized the global impact made by graduates through their entrepreneurial efforts.

The ceremony will also include a discussion with Buddy Valastro, known for his roles on A&E’s "Cake Dynasty" and "Legends of the Fork." Valastro will share insights from his entrepreneurial journey during a fireside chat.

Following the awards night, on Friday, November 15, honorees will headline the ’CUSE50 Summit at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. This summit invites student innovators and others interested in entrepreneurship for networking opportunities with accomplished alumni. The event promises engaging discussions on various topics like startup building, growth mindset development, personal branding, leadership skills, and adapting to change for personal success.

Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation at Syracuse University said: “These events offer a distinctive learning experience for our students.” He highlighted how these gatherings bridge connections between past graduates and current students aspiring toward entrepreneurial success.

A notable feature of the summit includes a "Five for Five" student pitch competition where five campus teams will compete in a format reminiscent of "Shark Tank," vying for a $5,000 prize judged by ’CUSE50 honorees.

For those interested in attending or learning more about these events, further details can be found on the University's events calendar.