Sponsr.Us Ignite 4 @ CMU

Sponsr.Us Ignite is our flagship conference for high school students where we will teach you the skills you need to make your projects successful.

At Sponsr.Us, we believe that students — through their passion and their ideas — have the potential to make positive impact. Through launching clubs, community service projects, and non-profits, students can leverage change in areas that they are passionate about. We want to help catalyze that process — Sponsr.Us Ignite is one way we're doing exactly that.

Sponsr.Us Ignite, an event for students and by students, equips you with tools to launch your own initiative — whatever it may be. We've brought in experts to teach a range of topics, including pitching your ideas, developing marketing strategies, and building websites. While it's only a one-day event, it will open new doors for you to explore.

We want to build a community of student leaders. Throughout the day, you'll get a chance to interact with like-minded students — perhaps even find people to collaborate with on a future initiative. 

There's no need to have an idea for something you want to start because no matter if you have an idea or not, you'll learn a lot and will be prepared for the future. We just want to show you what's possible.

Sounds like something you'd enjoy? Save the date and register!

The event is entirely free and lunch will be provided.

9:30am - Check in

10:00am - Kickoff & keynote panel

11:00am - First small-group workshop

12:00pm - Lunch

1:00pm - Second small-group workshop

2:00pm - Idea development session

3:00pm - Group presentations

4:00pm - Closing and wrap-up

Moderator: Corinne Clinch, CEO of Rorus

Panelists

Kelsey Halling – Director of Impact, Thread

Brian Gaudio – CEO, Module

Nesra Yannier – CEO, NoRILLA

Ray Abel – CEO, Bansen Labs

Scott Wolovich - Director of New Sun Rising (social impact accelerator)

Scott Wolovich is a catalyst for innovative community building through social entrepreneurship. He co-founded New Sun Rising over a decade ago to help other passionate leaders move from idea to impact. In that time, the organization has helped hundreds of leaders develop vibrant neighborhoods and economic opportunity through business and community project clusters. Scott continues his dedication to innovation in public health through Lively Pittsburgh and the Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh initiative.

Kristin Hughes - Associate Professor of Design at CMU

Kristin Hughes is a designer and educator whose innovative work in at-risk communities exemplifies the benefit of fusing design with community engagement to address complex social problems.

Kristin's career in design practice and education spans more than 20 years. As an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Design, Kristin and her colleagues have developed interdisciplinary courses that blend design with informal learning, cognitive psychology, and more recently, public policy. These endeavors highlight Kristin's personal mission: to demonstrate how design can be leveraged for social change.

Colman Wolfson - Busines Development Manager at Innovation Works

Cole Wolfson is the Business Development Manager at Innovation Works, a non-profit economic development organization that provides investment and business support to early-stage technology startups. Cole also oversees Startable Pittsburgh, a free eight-week summer program for teens 16-18 in which they develop, design, build, brand, market and sell products of their own creation while earning a stipend and the profits from their product sales. Outside of work, Cole owns a chain of successful natural pet supplies stores.

Qualcomm

East End Food Co-op

 Who can attend Sponsr.Us Ignite? 

Sponsr.Us Ignite is targeted to high school students, though we allow younger students to attend as well. Unfortunately, we are unable to accomodate parents into our event. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Get in touch with us at ignitecmu@sponsr.us

Is my registration/ticket transferrable?

No. The name on the ticket must match the participant. If you have an issue related to this, please contact us at ignitecmu@sponsr.us

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Nope! We'll have your info on our end. So just show up!