From left, Eve Freed ’21, Julia Pardee ’21 and Nadine Elsayed ’18 participated in the evening's "Soaring in Silicon Valley" initiative. They shared their experiences in a fireside chat with Lisa Getzler, executive director of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation.
With Meraki Co. earned the event's top honor, the Joan F. & John M. Thalheimer ’55 Grand Prize, as the student venture project that progressed the furthest during the 2021-22 academic year.
Ryan Saks '22
The Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation held its annual Innovate! Celebrate! Awards Dinner and EUREKA! Grand Prize Competition on April 5 with Giana Jarrah ’22, founder of student venture project With Meraki Co., earning the night’s top honor.
Among the other award winners were Zoe Sherman ’25, who co-founded InfernoGuard LLC and took home the EUREKA! People’s Choice Award, and Philip Ho ’25, whose venture Donkee helped him earned a special “EUREKA! DNA” recognition.
Lehigh President Joseph Helble ’82 (left) was among those who visited student demo tables during Innovation Alley, where student venture project founders showcased their projects.
Held at Ben Franklin TechVentures, the celebration brought guests together to recognize Lehigh’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as the students, faculty, and supporters fueling innovation and creativity in the space.
“I want to acknowledge the influence and impact of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation, which for more than a decade has played a critical role in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in Lehigh students from all backgrounds, identities, and disciplines. It has provided a platform for those with a desire to launch their own solutions,” said Lehigh President Joseph Helble ’82 in his opening remarks. “Tonight's Innovate! Celebrate! awards dinner is an opportunity to recognize the impact of immersive, hands-on experiences that help students learn to solve problems, create valuable solutions and make a difference in the world through an entrepreneurial mindset—regardless of the career path they embark on.”
For more information on the awards dinner and celebration, along with a full list of winners, visit The Baker Institute’s website.
Ryan Saks '22
Learn more about Tyler Groft '13 and Michael “Mike” Rinkunas ’02 ’08G.
More than $30,000 in prizes were awarded during the 6th annual competition, hosted this year by Lehigh University.
The university is just the fourth U.S. institution to be accepted to this alliance.
