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2023 Innovation Challenge – Recap

Brendan Candon '10 speaking

The Ciocca Center, in partnership with HC Launch, hosted the annual Innovation Challenge yesterday afternoon. Yesterday’s competition revolved around business solutions for SidelineSwap, the premier marketplace dedicated to connecting athletes and sports enthusiasts in the dynamic world of sports gear selling. Founded by Brendan Candon ’10 in 2015, SidelineSwap has a remarkable track record of facilitating transactions exceeding $250 million and has earned its place among the fastest-growing global marketplaces, as recognized by the esteemed Andreessen Horowitz A16z Top 100 list. Backed by influential investors, including strategic partners such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and eBay, SidelineSwap is not only a platform for buying and selling sports equipment but a community-driven hub that empowers athletes to access quality gear affordably. The recent addition of the Trade-in Platform further exemplifies SidelineSwap’s commitment to innovation, enabling retail partners to create circular shopping experiences and fostering a sustainable and accessible marketplace for sports enthusiasts worldwide.

Students were tasked with pitching one of three solutions proposed by the CEO himself: 

Identifying Potential Sales Opportunity:

Identify a sport with over $10 million annual secondhand gear sales potential, requiring research on market size and characteristics for a successful second-hand marketplace.

Creating a User Experience Using AI:

Design an AI-driven user experience to address user problems and drive positive outcomes for SidelineSwap.

Designing a Solution For Cleaning Bats and Clubs in Bulk:

Propose solutions for efficiently cleaning baseball bats, softball bats, and golf clubs in bulk before listing on SidelineSwap.

Integrating AI into the UI: Securing 1st place, API-tizer tackled the challenge by suggesting an innovative incorporation of AI into SidelineSwap’s user interface. Rather than taking the conventional route of directly enhancing the user experience, API-tizer put forth a groundbreaking proposal to integrate AI seamlessly into SidelineSwap’s UI. This integration, facilitated through an API, was specifically aimed at photo verification and data-related processes for enhanced verification. The team not only addressed the prompt but also demonstrated forward-thinking by devising cost-effective strategies for the smooth integration of this advanced tool. Their pitch underscored a profound understanding of how strategically deploying AI could fortify user trust and elevate the overall credibility of the platform.

Savvy Sam: Claiming the 2nd place position, Team Sam directed their focus toward creating a more personalized and efficient user experience. Their innovative solution involved introducing a virtual chat assistant, named Sam, to SidelineSwap’s website. This AI-powered assistant was conceptualized to facilitate personalized user interactions, streamlining the process for users to find customized sports gear more efficiently. Team Sam’s approach emphasized the importance of user-centric design and showcased a commitment to enhancing the overall journey for SidelineSwap users, aligning with the prompt’s objective of using AI to drive positive outcomes for the business.

Squeaky Clean Solutions: The Clean Team, securing 3rd place, devised a meticulous solution aimed at optimizing the cleaning process for SidelineSwap. Acknowledging the operational challenge of managing thousands of sports products, especially baseball bats, softball bats, and golf clubs, the team presented an innovative proposal. Their approach involved implementing ultrasonic cleaners for golf clubs, demonstrating a practical and cost-effective strategy to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in the cleaning process. The Clean Team’s pitch showcased a thorough understanding of the operational intricacies within SidelineSwap’s warehouses, highlighting the significance of maintaining product quality through streamlined cleaning procedures.

Thank you to our judges, Tom Brennan ’86, Terry Waters ’81, and Brendan Candon ’10 for their invaluable time, expertise, and thoughtful evaluation during the SidelineSwap Innovation Challenge.

Winners:

First Place team

API-tizers (Meggan Fourie ’25, Maura Switzer ’25, Ivor Teagle ’25)

1st Place – $1,000:  API-tizers (Meggan Fourie ’25, Ivor Teagle ’25, Maura Switzer ’25)

2nd Place – $500: Team Sam (Nico Corporon ’26, Sean Doyle ’26)

3rd Place – $250: Clean Team (Briana Sullivan ’24, Nico Popeleski ’26, Maya Kryzwda ’24)

Written by Liz Garfield ‘24 
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2023 Women in Business Conference Recap

Women in Business Keynote Interview

The 18th annual Women in Business Conference at Holy Cross held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 was an empowering and inspirational event for alumnae and students alike. It focused on various aspects of women’s careers and personal growth within the business world. Here are a few key takeaways from the conference: 

Empowerment and Inspiration: The conference serves as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for women pursuing success in the business industry. It aims to encourage women to strive for their goals and advance their careers while networking with other alum.

Diversity: Marybeth Kearns-Barrett ‘84 P22 27, the Director of the College Chaplains, emphasized the importance of diversity in her message. This underscores the significance of inclusivity in the business world.

Holy Cross Impact: Christine Anderson ’99, who is the Global Head of Corporate Affairs at Blackstone, served as the keynote speaker. She discussed the value of her liberal arts education in her career journey and highlighted that success in business is not limited to specific majors. Anderson pointed out that the finance industry, though still male-dominated, is a great place for women to work. She encouraged women to actively participate in discussions and engage in the field. She mentioned that Holy Cross’s mission statement still resonates with her, suggesting that the college’s values of “being women for and with others” continue to guide her in her career. 

Networking and Support: Anderson called for students and alumni to support each other and work to strengthen their network at Holy Cross. This highlights the importance of networking and building a supportive community which Holy Cross fosters.

Continuous Improvement: The call for students to always strive to be better indicates the importance of personal and professional growth and development.

Overall, the conference provided a platform for women to learn from successful women in business, gain insights into career development, and foster a sense of community and support among students and alumni. It emphasizes the value of education, diversity, and the importance of women’s active participation in traditionally male-dominated fields like finance.

Special thanks to the conference student organizing committee led by Liz Garfield ’24, Bridget Hayden ’24, Sydney Ives’ 24 and Alexandria “Sasha” Paradise ’24.  Your year-round leadership and enthusiasm in bringing together alumnae and students has been notable.  Thank you! 

Written by Liz Garfield ‘24 & Ariana Clark ‘25.
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Unlocking Innovation – The Journey of Flare

Quinn Fitzgerald '11 speaking to students on zoom

On Monday, HC Launch warmly welcomed Quinn Fitzgerald ’11 as the distinguished guest for their first Founder Forum event of the semester. The audience, predominantly composed of aspiring entrepreneurs, had the privilege of hearing an engaging story that intertwined innovation with personal safety. Quinn Fitzgerald shared her journey from her academic exploration in peace and conflict studies to her foray into entrepreneurship, culminating in the creation of Flare, a revolutionary personal safety company.

Quinn’s leap into entrepreneurship wasn’t premeditated but rather spurred by a college assignment that tasked her with launching a startup. The result was Flare, a company designed to tackle personal safety concerns head-on. What fueled her passion for this endeavor was a deeply personal experience – an assault that ignited her determination to address a long-standing societal issue.

Throughout the event, Quinn stressed that entrepreneurship is not just a career but an approach, a unique way of problem-solving and confronting challenges. She also shed light on the soft skills she acquired along her entrepreneurial journey, which proved instrumental to her success.

Flare was in the spotlight during the event, presented as a company specializing in personal safety, with an innovative app and a wristband. Established in 2016 and recently acquired by new ownership, this transition marked a significant milestone in its evolution. Quinn’s current focus is on coaching and mentoring other entrepreneurs, following her successful sale of Flare.

Quinn shared her venture into an industry with a centuries-old history. Her aim was to offer a more comprehensive solution to multifaceted safety concerns, moving beyond conventional methods like pepper spray. She engaged potential users rigorously through surveys and focus groups, gaining profound insights into their needs and circumstances.To develop a product that truly resonated with the market, she began with product sketches and employed 3D printing technology. The search for the right engineers was pivotal, and she successfully assembled a talented team by offering them a modest stake in the company’s ownership. The initial 3D printed prototype evolved gradually, incorporating features such as a chip and a button to enhance functionality.

Quinn also discussed her journey to secure funding. She commenced with competitions as her initial source of financing, ultimately succeeding in securing three rounds of capital. The first round brought in $750,000, the second an impressive $3 million, and the third attracted even more substantial investments, thanks to the support of both venture capitalists and angel investors.

Quinn’s narrative provides a wealth of insights for budding entrepreneurs, illustrating the path from concept to funding. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and unwavering determination in addressing complex societal challenges, one step at a time.

Thanks to Liz Garfield ’24 for writing this HC Launch recap! 
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81 Students & 50+ Alumni Participate in Fall Break Business Workshops

Group of professionally dressed students posing on the library steps.

Every fall break, the Ciocca Center holds concurrent workshops for students involved in the Business Certificate Programs to connect with alumni, make real-world connections, learn industry insights and practice presentation skills.  81 students and over 50 alumni participated in last weeks iteration, details below.

The annual Global Supply Chain Management Workshop helped 53 students understand that everything we wear, eat, drive, and consume comes through an organized supply chain from different parts of the world. The alumni presenters inlcluded Pete Mondani ’79, Bill Liesman ’72, Roger Lobo ’04, and Conor Moynihan ’13 – all practitioners in the field.  They shared the inner workings of a global supply chain and how it manages the distribution of various goods and services.  Teams of 4-5 students met with Holy Cross vendors, spanning from coffee to sweatshirts, to understand the inherent political, cultural, and ethical issues.  They even got off campus to experience a working supply chain during a company site visit to Polar Beverages with a tour by Chris Crowley, executive vice president of the company.

Concurrently, the annual Finance Boot Camp brought 28 students to NYC to meet alumni on Wall Street as part of the Finance & Banking Certificate program. Starting with an alumni-led current event discussion and professional communication overview, students were prepped on campus for the overnight trip to the city.  Alumni at JP Morgan, PIMCO, Barclays, KeyBanc and Morgan Stanley hosted the cohort to share industry insights, interview tips and discuss the various fields within the industry including sales and trading, investment banking, and wealth management.

Trey Rabuffo ’25 and Helene Cummings ’25 shared their student experience on the College’s Instagram account, which can also be seen on @holycrossbusiness.

Congratulations to all of the student participants and a big thank you to all of our alumni who are giving back to Holy Cross, like so many have done before them.
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Students Prepare for Bank Visits with Jargon Cheat Sheet

 NYSE Wall Street Signs

This list of finance vocabulary is a sampling of some of the terms and abbreviations students can expect to hear during conversations at the various site visits to banks in Boston and NYC as part of the Certificate in Finance & Banking program.  Get acquainted with the jargon and concepts to gain more from your experience, including the ability to ask better questions in order to make yourself stand out from the crowd.  Be sure to access the College’s free readership program for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and New York Times (NYT) to connect with these terms in a real world context.

Finance Jargon

Asset: Resource with economic value that a corporation owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit; Assets are reported on a company’s balance sheet and are bought or created to increase a firm’s value or benefit the firm’s operations.

    • Asset Allocation is an investment strategy that aims to balance risk and reward by apportioning a portfolio’s assets according to an individual’s goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. The three main asset classes – equities, fixed-income, and cash and equivalents – have different levels of risk and return.

Book Building: Process by which an underwriter attempts to determine the price at which an initial public offering (IPO) will be offered. An underwriter, normally an investment bank, builds a book by inviting institutional investors (such as fund managers and others) to submit bids for the number of shares and the price(s) they would be willing to pay for them.

Book Value: Referring to an investment, it is the price paid for a security or debt investment. When a company sells stock, the selling price minus the book value is the capital gain or loss from the investment.

Broker: Individual or firm that acts as an intermediary between an investor and a securities exchange; Buy and sell financial instruments on the behalf of a client and charges a fee for doing so.

Bull and Bear Markets:

    • A Bull Market is a market that is on the rise and where the economy is sound. (Tip: A bull charges “up” with horns.)
    • A Bear Market exists in an economy that is receding, where most stocks are declining in value. (Tip: A bear charges “down” with paws.)

Buying Size: Occurs when a trader offers to buy a large volume of shares

Buy-Side/Sell-Side:

    • Buy-Side is the side of the financial market that buys and invests large portions of securities for the purpose of money or fund management; Includes investment managers, pension funds, and hedge funds.
    • Sell-Side is the other side of the financial market, which deals with the creation, promotion, and selling of traded securities to the public; Includes investment banks, advisory firms, and corporations.

Continue reading “Students Prepare for Bank Visits with Jargon Cheat Sheet”
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Pothos Project Brings Students into the Worcester Community

Students sitting at table for speaker

Sponsored by the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society and the Office of Sustainability with faculty guidance from Professor Karen Teitel, 20 students from all four class years participated in the third offering of the Pothos Consulting Project this spring.

Pothos plants often symbolize determination, perseverance, wealth, and good fortune.  It thrives under challenging circumstances, making the most of limited resources like light and water, and its heart-shaped leaves clean the air. It also improves its environment while ensuring its own growth and flourishing. Through the Pothos Project, students help Holy Cross and our local business community do the same, becoming more sustainable on their way to prosperity and good fortune. 

Over the six week project, participants attended interactive sessions with HC alums and select businesses, learning about the consulting field and its distinctive recruitment process. As participants collaborated with an organization on a real-world consulting assignment that aimed to increase corporate responsibility, participants practiced some of the skills and tricks needed for the job. Alumni mentors provided guidance and support throughout the program.

Thank you to our Holy Cross alumni mentors:

  • Cole Worthy ’88: Program Manager & Vice President, Haley & Aldrich
  • Megan Skwirz ‘12: Consultant, Slalom Consulting
  • Jessica Dodakian ’14: Associate, McKinsey & Company
  • Patrick Czorniak ’11: Senior Manager, Deals Transformation, PwC

Thank you to our local businesses:
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HC Launch Student Group Host Local Serial Entrepreneur

two men sitting at the front of class

This year, HC Launch has been connecting with the local Worcester startup community.  Recently, the club visited MultiScale Systems, Geisel Software, and is planning a visit to Redemption Rock Brewery later this spring. As with many startups though, one of the companies we were working with only had a desk at a coworking space.  This, we decided, wasn’t suitable for a site visit so we pivoted!

On Monday, March 20th, the HC Launch student group hosted local serial entrepreneur, Jonathan Lincoln. Rob Murner, director of the Ciocca Center and entrepreneur in residence, started the conversation and students were able to learn from Jonathan’s three ventures: Continue reading “HC Launch Student Group Host Local Serial Entrepreneur”
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Students Pitch Solutions for Local Business at Innovation Challenge

Group presentation

On Sunday, March 19th, HC Launch hosted its first in-person Innovation Challenge event since the pandemic. It was also Launch’s first event in the newly-built Prior Performing Arts Center.  The challenge was coordinated with a local business, Giesel Software Inc. (GSI), and some of the real-world problems they are facing.  Students pitched in response to one of two challenges; 1) to develop a product or 2) propose a real-estate solution for a rapidly growing business.

GSI’s CEO and founder, Brian Giesel, sat on the judging panel, along with alums Will Spangenberg ‘22 and Ted Pidcock ‘88. Continue reading “Students Pitch Solutions for Local Business at Innovation Challenge”
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Students Learn Business Etiquette Over Dinner

Julia Posillico ’25 shares her first-hand experience during the Business Etiquette Dinner on March 1, 2023.

Last night the Holy Cross Sales Club organized a business etiquette dinner run by a managing director and two recruiters from Northwestern Mutual. Nearly thirty students were in attendance and were served a three-course meal while getting advice on networking, interviewing, and etiquette at business meals. So what were the main takeaways from the event? 

When it comes to networking, do your research before you attend an event and know who is going. When you get there make sure you are conscious of who you are talking to with your limited time, and focus on quality over quantity. Making connections with people who already have a lot of connections can be helpful since they can then make additional introductions for you. Also, have easy conversation starters and ways to end one, too. For instance, start with comments on a neutral topic such as why you attending the event, and to end a conversation you could introduce them to someone else. Make sure you have a short but informative elevator pitch and listen more than you speak. If you have a name tag, be suer to put it on your right side so that when you shake hands with someone it is visible. 

Continue reading “Students Learn Business Etiquette Over Dinner”
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Five Workshops & One Week: 177 Students Explore Business

Fullbridge team winners

The spring 2023 semester started off with 177 students participating in five concurrent virtual business workshops.  The week of January 18-22 was led by 70 alumni presenters and mentors in the following areas:

    • Fullbridge Professional Edge: This simulated workweek provides exposure to the basics of business and an opportunity to collaborate in teams through active learning culminating in a final presentation.
        • Special congratulations to Team Adidas for the innovative growth idea securing them each the top prize of a $300 Apple gift card! Will Croce ’25, Will Sampson ’24, Ignacio Sanchez ’26 and Thomas Foster ’26 let by cCoach Carmen! 
    • Corporate Finance & Banking: With virtual tours at top banks and overviews of corporate finance, corporate banking, and asset management, 20 students spent two days gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry.   Opportunities to understand the application process and culture of the industry included a recruiter panel and a virtual networking event.
    • The new Entrepreneurship Fundamentals Workshop was led by Bob Allard ’91 and Michael Yatco ’06 where they discussed the entrepreneur’s mindset with 15 students working through business strategy and innovation..
    • Interview Prep: Personal branding and a core value proposition are key to successful interviewing.  60 students further developed their elevator pitch and practiced interview skills with the Center for Career Development followed by successful career tips from notable alumnae.
    • Marketing Communications & Sales: Alumni led 45 students through the practical exploration of advertising, marketing, sales, and public relations.  Teams competed in the PepsiCo Challenge, each tasked with bringing SodaStream to campus for individual use.

Many of the students participated in more than one opportunity as they worked towards Business Certificate Program completion, including the month-long Excel Tutorial offered during the month of January.