RALEIGH – NC State Entrepreneurship‘s annual Entrepalooza festival returns this Thursday for an evening of demos, pitches, free food and networking on campus.

As is the tradition for Entrepalooza, the showcase features a wide variety of products and services representing different markets—from sustainable fashion to STEM labs to transportation to coffee and cookies.

The demo lineup includes 16 ventures led by NC State students, faculty and alumni: 321 Coffee, 700 Rivers, Angry Angel Energy Drinks, Bandwidth, Betabox, EcoPRT, Good Boy Dog Treats, Hempsmith, HQ Raleigh, Liquid Rocketry Lab, Paradigm Innovation, Reborn Clothing Co., Retrieving Hearts, The Cookie People, Uncapped Calligraphy and We Claim Raleigh.

The event also includes a pitch competition where 10 students will be vying for an audience choice reward of $1,000. Each student gets only 60 seconds to present their ideas.

Entrepalooza is in its fifth year running. Erin Muir, NC State Entrepreneurship’s marketing and community development manager, says one of the biggest changes in this year’s program is the expanded access to startup resources offered on campus.

“While our primary focus is on celebrating and showcasing the innovators coming out of NC State, we also want to provide ways for students and community members to take part in the innovation that’s happening,” Muir said. “In past years we’ve limited the showcase to student and alumni ventures, but this year, we’ve incorporated a lot of entrepreneurial NC State organizations who have unique offerings for students and community members alike.”

Some of the organizations that will be available at the event include NC State’s Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Initiative, Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs, SKEMA, the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, the College of Engineering, NC State Libraries and the Entrepreneurship Ambassadors.

Muir says organizers are expecting a turnout of around 1,200 students, faculty and staff, alumni and community members.

“Entrepalooza is the perfect place for students and community members to experience what entrepreneurship at NC State is all about and to learn how they can take part in the growing entrepreneurship community here on campus,” she added.

The event is slated for September 12 from 5:30-7:30 at Stafford Commons outside of Talley Student Union. Tickets are free, but attendees need to register online here.

https://wraltechwire.com/event/entrepalooza-2019/