Illuminate Conference

Illuminate Experience: Jackson Collins

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Jackson Collins

Finance Major, Class of 2019

In college, it’s easy to fall into the groove. There’s a cycle of going to class, attending clubs and extra-curriculars, and studying that most of the student body spends their day in. And while this routine keeps your GPA up and your social life fresh, for me there was something missing. I couldn’t exactly pinpoint it, but it was something that was abstract but so necessary to making the most of the college experience. I found that hidden element at Illuminate.

I shared an intense desire to innovate and inspire within the students at the Harvard Illuminate Conference. They transcended the bounds of their curriculum and had decided to blaze their own trail in the world. I finally found that missing element I had been searching before. It was an element of creativity that could only be found when working with those who are just as willing as you to tear down the standards of today to solve the problems we may face tomorrow. I was surrounded by peers who would stand in the future with me and pull the rest of the world to us.

If there is anything I learned from this conference, it was that the present is in no short supply of innovators and entrepreneurs fearlessly charging into the future to make the world a better place for us all.

Illuminate Experience: Justin Hall

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Justin Hall

Mechanical Engineering Major, Class of 2017

In regards to innovation and entrepreneurship, my experience exceeds a simple interest. Personally, I am working with three of my peers in a start up to develop a specific web service and even recently, we received IDEA grant funding to continue the development of our project. In addition, I have assisted in innovating a new design for flywheel energy storage by capitalizing on recent research. I have recently been involved with Stanford University as a University Innovation Fellow. Fellows take a course with Stanford along with other students across the nation and conclude their training by visiting Stanford and Google to see some truly entrepreneurial and innovative environments. The goal of this fellowship is to teach an individual the best ways to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in their communities.

The Harvard Illuminate conference immediately took my interest. A conference covering the topics of entrepreneurship and innovation while featuring some notable speakers and collecting an audience from a variety of universities provides a plethora of opportunities. After attending, I can say with confidence I was not disappointed and the conference even exceeded my expectation. Keynotes included panels by leaders from both Pandora Radio and PepsiCo. These talks showed that entrepreneurship and innovation is crucial in any environment, even in a larger company. Additional guest speakers from successful startups provided students with not only inspiration but also a better understanding of topics such as creating a culture or seeking venture funding.

From this experience, I took away many things. Not only did I leave with a greater understanding of how to be a successful entrepreneur. I also left with many new friends after having the opportunity to discuss entrepreneurial ventures with students from universities across the northeast. These discussions led to ideas of my own and ultimately to a better understanding of how to become a successful entrepreneur. I would recommend this conference to any aspiring entrepreneur.

Illuminate Experience: Michael Jean-Paul

Posted on October 7, 2015October 10, 2015 by Quian Callender

Michael Jean-Paul

Communications Major, Class of 2016

I attended the Harvard Illuminate Conference to develop a better understanding for entrepreneurship, innovation in advertising, branding and marketing and innovation in finance. I came in with the expectation of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the aforementioned business concepts with the thought that after being exposed to such, that I would further expand my body of knowledge as it relates to entrepreneurship and innovation. Additionally, I thought I would gain exposure to concepts I was unfamiliar with. I have always had a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. I’ve read books such as, Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow rich to help me become more knowledgeable in building businesses and ultimately realizing my maximum potential as an Entrepreneur.

I have always had a passion for innovation. For example, this summer my team and I developed an app called SwipeShop. This application is available on the App Store for iOS devices and will be available on the Android platform in the beginning of the spring 2016 semester. SwipeShop is a mobile marketplace that connects local buyers and sellers for the purpose of exchanging second hand goods. To post an item, simply take a picture, add a brief description and upload it instantly for thousands to see locally. From here you can bid on selected items, after which the seller will accept or reject your bid. Once a deal is in place, a conversation where you can negotiate the final price and plan a destination to complete the transaction will emerge.

After attending the Harvard Illuminate Conference, I gained exposure to industry experts in entrepreneurship and innovation and have been impressed with the lessons I learned. I learned about the steps necessary to raise venture capital through seed funding, the power of networking, marketing a start-up and about technology start-ups from the ground-up. I value the connections and lessons I learned from recent Harvard Alumni as well as other entrepreneurs from all over the globe and believe this experience to be invaluable as it has helped me develop relationships that I believe will prove to be an asset throughout my career in venture capital and entrepreneurship.