Unlock Your Inner Entrepreneur
Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship
CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship, known as the Launch Pad, is the hub for entrepreneurial activity at JWU Providence. Located in the Xavier Academic Complex, the eCenter serves the Downcity, Harborside and online campuses.
Under the guidance of Jeff Binczyk, the Launch Pad brings together entrepreneurial studies, experiential opportunities, mentors, and small business support services to transform students into entrepreneurs and their ideas into commercial or social enterprises.
Sharkfest
Do you watch Shark Tank and think, “I could do that?” JWU Sharkfest is the university’s annual business pitch competition that tests the business acumen, creativity and ambition of JWU student entrepreneurs.
Cheer on your fellow students as they pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for the chance to win $5,000.
SHARKFEST 2025
Alexie Gerve '25 won this year’s competition with her concept: Camp Vitality, an inclusive summer camp designed specifically for children and young adults with physical and emotional disabilities. Congrats to Alexie and all the competitors!
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The Launch Pad
Do you have an idea for a product, business, or side hustle but don’t know where to go from there? The Launch Pad is a place where students can share their dreams and discuss their ideas.
The Launch Pad provides all students with 1-on-1 mentoring, coaching and workshops, such as:
- Using Social Media To Promote Your Brand
- Developing Your Brand
- Creating Financials For Your Product or Service
- Spring & Fall Speaker Series with Prominent Entrepreneurs
Read about the Launch Pad’s commitment to supporting student entrepreneurship and creating collaborative spaces for bringing ideas to life.
“The Launch Pad not only gave me a safe space to share my entrepreneurial ideas, but to also make them come true! Because of the Launch Pad, I turned my idea, Lokyt, a fashionable key accessory, into a reality.” Sahteen Dillon '25
Services
One-on-One Academically Driven Coaching
Faculty members are in the eCenter with scheduled hours to provide coaching and advising to students. The eCenter provides a clear connection to the theory learned in the classroom into a real world experience with faculty coaches. Faculty work one-on-one with student entrepreneurs providing them with advice as they launch their business and social ventures.
Faculty Contact
Jeff Binczyk
Director, eCenter
Jeff Binczyk joined JWU after a career in the corporate world working for global food companies like Kellogg’s and Shearer’s Snacks. Most recently, he led startup teams at Flavorseal before the business was sold to a private equity firm.
At JWU, his goal is to leverage his creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship knowledge with the broader JWU community. As he explains it, “You don’t need to own a business to possess an entrepreneurial mindset. Developing skills like persistence, leadership, conflict resolution, and creativity benefits all students, no matter their major, to be successful in whatever career path they take.”
JWU has enjoyed a rich history of innovation and entrepreneurship over the years. Binczyk’s goal is to collaborate with each individual college to find opportunities for the Entrepreneurship Center to partner with students and faculty.
Larry Friedman Center For Entrepreneurship
Xavier Academic Complex, Room 402
401-598-1474
Email