Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2020

Christian investors. The Beyond Startup Accelerator is built into the 16-week semester for ease of student enrollment. Interwoven within the instruction and coaching are Bible- driven principles tied to creativity, planning, and making new business models a reality. Students and alumni who complete the Accelerator can participate in a biannual competition that invites venture capitalists and angel investors to back promising startups. If you are an undergraduate student, M.B.A. student, or alumni interested in being a part of the Accelerator, visit cedarville.edu/studentsbeyond to receive more information. CONNECTING INVESTORS To round out the program, Cedarville University has mobilized its own angel network — a group of Christian business investors seeking to support their undergrad counterparts. This March, Cedarville University will host the first of many Investor Impact assemblies, a networking event where accredited investors can meet founders and attend a formal pitch competition. If you are interested in joining the Beyond Angel Network, please fill out the interest form at cedarville.edu/investorsbeyond . BUILDING A CENTER This past October during homecoming chapel, Cedarville’s President, Thomas White, announced the construction of the Lorne C. Scharnberg Business Center, which will house the School of Business Administration, a conference plaza, and potentially an entrepreneurship center. The entrepreneurship center would act as the main location for the Beyond program and provide students with shared workspace, resources, and offices to test their on- campus ventures. The hope is that the Accelerator program matched with new facilities will continue to bring innovative students and accelerator candidates to campus for years to come. Kyle Peterson ’96 is the Deputy Director of the Cedarville University Beyond Startup Accelerator. During the January “Second Pitch” event sponsored by the Beyond Startup Accelerator, students presented original business proposals to a panel of expert entrepreneur judges for cash prizes. Beyond hosted an Investor Impact event in March, which featured professional development, networking, and a pitch competition where business founders presented their ideas to potential investors. “PITCH” EVENTS OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, PROFESSIONALS Cedarville Magazine | 23