Written by Mara Brak
Students of all majors and years at Grove City College can get involved with the diverse opportunities the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has to offer. From entering any of the business idea competitions, to starting their own business, to working with local nonprofits, small businesses, or startups for real-world experience, any student can make their goals and dreams a reality from within their time at Grove City College.
The Center for E+I helps students from diverse academic backgrounds on their entrepreneurial journey through mentorship, funding, networking, and opportunities to gain experience.
Joseph Shin ‘26, Marcus Loizes ‘26, Christan Royer, ‘26, and Caleb Einolf ‘26 have used the resources of the Center for E+I to their full advantage and have been met with much success in the world of innovation.
The Venture Lab
If a student has an early-stage business or social enterprise idea they want to take to the next level, the Venture Lab is there to help them to secure funding and provide mentorship. Joseph Shin ‘26, co-founder of Thymely.ai alongside alumnus Liam Grossman ‘25, went on to win second place at Allegheny College’s 2025 Zingale Big Idea competition.
“The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has been an incredible source of support to me in my various entrepreneurship endeavors. From helping secure a domain name (hours after I presented an idea) to providing consistent mentorship and guidance, The Center for E+I has been instrumental in helping me learn and run my startup.
The conversations I’ve had with the staff and faculty have been some of the most formative and impactful ones that I’ve had as a founder. They have shaped my view of entrepreneurship, developed my business intuition, and given me ideas for the future. I wholeheartedly recommend working with the Center for E+I to anyone interested in exploring the world of startups and entrepreneurship. I wish I’d found out about the Center sooner in my college career.”
~ Joseph Shin ‘26, Data Science major, Computer Science and Business minors
Wolverine Venture Battle (WVB)
In the fall semester, students submit numerous ideas to the Elevator Pitch Competition for a chance to pitch a venture to a panel of judges for the to chance to win a cash prize. Students create a business concept, complete with a strategy, prototype, and financial forecast and present to a panel of judges to win cash prizes to jumpstart their ventures in the Wolverine Venture Battle. Many students who have participated in the Elevator Pitch Competition in a prior semester use this as a chance to fully realize their original business idea.
Hear from Christian Royer ‘26, whose team Pronto won the 2025 Venture Battle as he reflects on his experience.
“The WVB was a great experience overall. The level of professionalism through the whole process of the competition was something that stood out to me. From taking headshots, to pitching to real businessmen and women it was a great opportunity. Was it hard work? Yes. The way the Center for E+I raises money for the event to help businesses get started is incredible.
Getting prize money helped me start the business, and I’ve been blessed to get to lay the groundwork for my LLC through the WVB. I think every student should participate at least once in the competition. It has helped me to not only start a business but have practical experience to leverage the rest of my life.”
~ Christian Royer ‘26, Entrepreneurship major
SAFR Challenge
The SAFR Challenge is an innovation competition that tasks students with developing and creating stylish but functional concussion-prevention headgear for wheeled recreation. Students taking Fundamentals of The Universe with Dr. Marsch and Dr. Wolinski spend time developing and crafting their headgear. The top projects move on to the competition. Marcus Loizes ‘27, won in 2025 with Emma Steiger ‘27.
“The SAFR challenge was a great way to understand how innovation happens at the simplest level and how it can be harnessed for the public good. Getting to design a product and devise a way to make that product available to those in need of it was awesome and reinforced in my mind the fact that innovation is a great way for us as Christians to love our neighbors and steward the creation.”
~ Marcus Loizes ‘27, Supply Chain Management major
E+I Fellows
Students of all majors and years have the opportunity to apply to the E+I Fellows Program. Host organizations benefit from the highly curated skills of Grove City College students while students receive the highest wage on campus, $25/hour. Fellows gain valuable real-world experience through eight-week remote or hybrid mini-internships and create invaluable connections.
Senior Caleb Einolf has been an E+I Fellow with Hardly and Honeycomb Credit, Elevator Pitch Finalist (2022) and has continuously assisted the Center for E+I as a student graphic designer.
“The Center for E+I has been one of the highlights of my time at Grove City. While there’s plenty of advice I could give my younger self, my experience with E+I isn’t something I’d change.
As a freshman, I never saw myself as an outgoing, entrepreneurial type. Yet in my first semester, I found myself on stage for the E+I Elevator Pitch competition in front of a full crowd. Now as a senior, I’ve spent four years working with the Center through graphic design work, Fellows internships, and working with student businesses.
I encourage every GCC student to get involved through the Fellows program and E+I events. These experiences have sharpened both my technical skills and business communication abilities, and they’ve prepared me to be an innovator in my field.”
~ Caleb Einolf ‘26, Computer Programming major, Mobile Development minor
What To Do Next
The programs and competitions mentioned in this post are just a few of the numerous options available to students at Grove City College. There are many other opportunities to get involved with E+I programs and events.
Check out the website for more information or contact us using this form with any questions or comments you have.