June 30, 2015

The program, a brainchild of Stephanie Cion who led this year’s event in its second year, was a resounding success.This summer, our very own CEO Tammy Sachs and the NYC chapter of MIT Enterprise Forum took part in their annual Entrepreneur Bootcamp – a program to inspire high school girls to consider an entrepreneurial career path.

MITEF participants hear Mollie Chen speak at Birchbox's SoHo office.

The girls had the opportunity to see the many ways they could develop their own businesses and products thanks to the priceless guidance and discussions led by entrepreneurs from a variety of industries. Experts discussed experiences they had in fashion, retail, healthcare, and even the culinary industry. The girls learned so many different perspectives and valuable lessons from these speakers. They even got to see some of the entrepreneurs in action. Mollie Chen, the Editorial Director at Birchbox spoke to the girls about her own journey and that of Birchbox (complete with a tour of the company's SoHo office and the opportunity to customize their own Birchboxes.) At the end of the program the girls presented their own business ideas to a panel of judges and venture capitalists.

Due to her contagious enthusiasm and  entrepreneurial passion, Tammy had a blast co-planning and participating in the program.  She is a newly-elected board member and secretary of MITEF's NYC chapter.   We had wonderful volunteers throughout the week who made it possible and wonderful sponsors including GrubHub, David’s Tea and Loi Estiatorio who kept all happily fed. The program concluded with 5 new business presentations the judges agreed were worthy of a corporate boardroom and certainly SharkTank.

We are about to plan next year’s Bootcamp.  If this event interests you, please check out our site:  www.mitef-nyc.org/or reach out to Stephanie Cion or Tammy Sachs to get involved with MIT Enterprise Forum’s NYC events.  Our organization brings together a fascinating mix of start-ups, futurists, VCs and those passionate about where technology and entrepreneurship will lead.