The Larry Friedman Center for Entrepreneurship, simply known as the eCenter, is located inside the Culinary Museum, serving both the Downcity and Harborside campuses. LFCE is the hub for entrepreneurial activity at JWU Providence. Under the guidance of Dr. Ezenwayi Amaechi, the eCenter brings together entrepreneurial studies, experiential opportunities, mentors, and the small business support services to transform students into entrepreneurs and their ideas into commercial or social enterprises.
SHARKFEST 2021
Do you watch Shark Tank and think, “I could do that?” Then Sharkfest is for you! Open to all majors, this annual business pitch competition tests the business acumen, creativity and ambition of JWU student entrepreneurs. Finalists will battle it out in live competition for a grand prize of $5,000.
If you think you have a winning business idea, fill out the application below — documents are due by 2/15 at 11pm.
Only finalists must fill out the affidavit of eligibility.
Sharkfest 2021 Application
Contest Rules (240K PDF) | Affidavit of Eligibility Agreement & Release (160K PDF)
Sharkfest Competition
- Tuesday, April 14, 2021
- 1:30pm, Schneider Auditorium
- Zoom or Downcity Campus depending on COVID-19 restrictions
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.
eCenter Incubator Internship
Under the guidance of faculty, this educational accelerator program allows students to intern in the eCenter, which enables them to fully focus on developing their businesses. In addition to faculty mentorship, alumni mentorship and access to the Center, each student receives a stipend from the university.
Faculty
Ezenwayi Amaechi, Ph.D., '07 MBA
Assistant Professor, Entrepreneurship
A result-oriented researcher, trainer, lecturer, author, and entrepreneur, passionate about women leadership, economic development, and empowerment. I bring years of corporate, teaching, research, and consulting experience with domestic and international organizations. I am committed to helping students pursue their entrepreneurial goals and achieve their desired result.
Contact:
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, Rhode Island
Email address: ezenwayi.amaechi@jwu.edu
Phone: 401-598-1075