Fireside chat with Eunice Chapon, Impact Investor, Screenwriter, Filmmaker
2024-11-07 15:00 - 16:15 (America/New_York) | Room 180, Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Avenue, Suite 390, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us for a fireside chat with impact investor, independent movie producer/director and Tufts Alumna, Eunice Chapon.
About Eunice Chapon
Eunice is a Director of Impact at BrightEdge, an investment arm of the American Cancer Society. BrightEdge operates at the intersection of impact, innovation, and investment to accelerate the American Cancer Society’s goal to reduce cancer mortality. Eunice brings a unique blend of business, operational, legal and technology. She has extensive experience serving senior roles at complex and highly matrixed financial organizations. Additionally, Eunice is an up-and-coming film producer/director. Her short film, “The Shape of Money“, has been featured in several film festivals.
Eunice holds her bachelor degree from Tufts University and Law Degree from William and Mary. She is an active volunteer of many organizations that includes a long-term member of the Asian-American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts and has served on the Board of Trustees for the International School of Boston.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University.

Fireside chat with Matt Cillis, Chief Sales Officer at Bitwarden
2024-11-12 18:00 - 19:15 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
Join us and hear about sales and marketing from Matt Cillis, Chief Sales Officer at Bitwarden. Matt is one of the best value-based sellers in software sales. With a background in Civil and Environmental Engineering coupled with decades of sales experience, Matt brings a unique cross disciplinary perspective to enterprise sales.
About Matt Cillis
Matt Cillis is an accomplished Vice President of Sales with extensive experience in software sales. He has a proven track record of driving success in the industry. He is currently the Chief Sales Officer at Bitwarden. Previous to Bitwarden, he served as the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) or head of Sales for a series of innovative software companies, including Ably, Instana (acquired by IBM), CloudBees, Splunk and Dell EMC. Matt built his distinguished career in software sales after serving as a project engineer in engineering consulting companies.
Matt holds a Master’s degree in Engineering – Civil & Environmental from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University.

This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University.

Hardware Startup Panel
2024-11-13 18:00 - 19:15 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
Creating a growth style startup is hard. Creating and building a hardware startup is even harder. Come hear the founding stories of Macauley Kenney, MIT Entrepreneur-in-Residence, expert maker and serial social entrepreneur, and Max Makeev, Cofounder of Gopher Motion and OwlLabs, as they recount what it takes to build a startup around hardware products that cost more and take longer to build than most software products.
The fireside chat will be moderated by Professor Elaine Chen, who herself is a hardware startup veteran.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University.

Starting Small And Making It Big: The Cummings Way
2024-11-18 15:00 - 17:30 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
Join us at Tufts University for a fireside chat and book signing event with successful real estate entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist Bill Cummings, A58, H06, J97P, M97P, moderated by Professor Usha Pasi, who teaches Nonprofits, Philanthropy and Impact. Refreshments and book signing for the 7th Edition of Bill’s book, “Starting Small And Making It Big”, will follow after the fireside chat.
About Bill Cummings
Bill is the founder of Cummings Properties. In 1986, Bill and Joyce Cummings established Cummings Foundation, which has grown to be one of the three largest private foundations in New England. They were the first Massachusetts couple to join the Giving Pledge, an international philanthropic organization founded by Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates and Warren Buffett, and they have been honored to receive dozens of community accolades and honorary degrees.
Bill recently published the seventh edition of his self-written memoir, Starting Small and Making It Big. Following the fireside chat, Bill will host a book signing, and refreshments will be served at a reception with students, faculty, staff and community members.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Celebrity Series and is hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University. Learn more: https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu

Foundess in Boston
2024-11-18 17:30 - 20:30 | Harvard University
Working on an idea? Looking for team members? Want to connect with other female founders?Foundess in Boston, hosted by Stanford, Harvard, Tufts, and UMich students, is hosting an exclusive***fireside chat*** and ***demo night*** for womxn in startups at the Harvard on Nov 18 @ 18.00!

International Student's Guide to Entrepreneurship
2024-11-21 14:00 - 16:00 | 730 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215, 730 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215
Join our panel event, International Student’s Guide to Entrepreneurship, to learn how to start a company on an F1 visa.

Entrepreneurial Pizza Open House
2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Tufts Venture Lab (JCC301), 177 College Ave, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us for pizza and hear about what is happening at Derby Entrepreneurship Center this Spring. Get information on the upcoming New Ventures Competition and Consumer Product Fair. Meet the DEC team and learn about how coaching from our DEC Entrepreneurs-in-Residence can help you grow your venture. Talk to other students interested in innovation and entrepreneurship. Dive in and get involved this semester!
Here is the link to register: https://markitai.com/e/wHaMW0An0b

Entrepreneurial Speaker Series: Dan Tyre, Founder and CEO, Tyre Angel
2025-01-30 11:45 - 13:00 | Tufts Venture Lab (JCC301), 177 College Ave, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us to hear from Dan Tyre, Founder and CEO of Tyre Angel and former HubSpot executive, as he shares his expertise on entrepreneurship and the science of sales. As HubSpot’s sixth employee, first salesperson, and longtime head of sales, Dan played a key role in growing the company from its earliest stages to a $37 billion valuation.
About Dan Tyre
Dan Tyre is a visionary entrepreneur, speaker, author, and mentor with over 20 years of experience at HubSpot, where he was instrumental in shaping the company’s sales and partnership strategies. Since leaving HubSpot, Dan has dedicated himself to “Doing the Most Good for the Universe” through Tyre Angel, supporting entrepreneurial ventures as an investor, advisor, and board member. He has a portfolio of 30+ investments and is a Limited Partner in Stage 2 Capital.
Dan’s engaging and direct approach, coupled with his lifelong commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, makes him a sought-after speaker worldwide. Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the pioneers in sales and marketing.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University.

Ecosystem Event: America's Seed Fund Week 2025
2025-02-11 - 2025-02-13 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States

Consumer Product Fair - Spring 2025
2025-02-12 11:15 - 13:45 | First Floor Lobby, Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Did you know that many current Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni have businesses selling consumer products and services like hoodies, packaged snacks, bottled beverages, photography services and more? Come learn about the retail businesses that Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni are building. Become a customer and support a Jumbo!
If you are a Tufts student, faculty, staff member or local alumni who has a current consumer-facing business, complete this form by Feb 10, 2025 to apply to become a vendor.https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu/vendorapplication
This event will be held in the Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Avenue, Medford, MA. No signup necessary. Just come!

Confirmed vendors:

Student led event: Hult Prize
2025-02-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
Do you have a business idea that aligns with one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals? Compete in the Hult Prize at Tufts for the opportunity to win $1M in funding. Apply by Feb 15th. Live Pitch Competition at 4pm on Feb 21st in JCC 270.
Apply here by Feb 15: hultprize.org
Register to Watch Pitches on Feb 21: https://markitai.com/e/azZTqQI2K-

Fireside Chat With Donna Levin, Educator, Business Leader and Entrepreneur
2025-03-04 13:30 - 14:30 | Room 140, Joyce Cummings Center
Join us for an inspirational fireside chat with Donna Levin, educator, leader and entrepreneur. Donna is the CEO of the Arthur M Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. She is cofounder of care.com, an online marketplace for families to find childcare, senior care, care for those with special needs, care for home, tutoring support and pet care.
About Donna Levin
Donna is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with a broad and impressive portfolio of academic leadership credentials, She joined Babson from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she served as the college’s first executive director of innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to cofounding Care.com, she also served as vice president of operations for UPromise. Levin received a BA from Emerson College and an Executive MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Celebrity Series and is hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University. Learn more: https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu

Building and leading software teams
2025-03-04 15:00 - 16:15 | Tufts Venture Lab (JCC301), 177 College Ave, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us in an interactive fireside chat about software leadership with Tufts alumni Max Makeev and Mark Schnittman, cofounders of Gopher Motion, which is developing an autonomous mobile robot for last-mile delivery of goods. Max and Mark have a wealth of startup experience in robotics, AI and software development, having built products at iRobot, Romotive and Owl Labs prior to cofounding Gopher Motion.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series. Hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University. Learn more: https://derbyecenter.tufts.edu

Fireside chat with two Jumbos: Molly Ryan and Lyn Ferreira of ColdSnap®
2025-03-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Joyce Cummings Center, Room 160, 177 College Ave, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us to hear about ColdSnap®’s founding story from Molly Ryan, A22, Entrepreneurship Minor graduate, and Lyn Ferreira, MS Nutrition Science And Policy, 2019.
The idea for ColdSnap® came to founder Tufts MSEM and Ph.D. Graduate, Matt Fonte, through a bedtime brainstorming session with his two daughters. The company went on to create and launch a single serve ice cream that uses completely recyclable cartridges that do not need refrigeration, eliminating cold storage and transportation from the frozen treats supply chain.
We will also hear the career path planning story of how Molly, a Child Studies and Human Development major with a double minor in Education and Entrepreneurship, and Lyn, who has experience in marketing and sales and in nutrition science and policy, leveraged diverse professional experiences to explore different fields, which led to their current roles at ColdSnap®.
This event is in-person only. We will be offering ice cream tasting before the speaker event while supplies last.
This “Inside the Classroom” event is hosted by Derby Entrepreneurship Center in partnership with two entrepreneurship courses at Tufts: ENT100 Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking & ENT164 Introduction To Making.

Entrepreneurial Speaker Series: Catherine Popper, Angel Investor
2025-04-14 18:00 - 19:15 | Room 260, Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Join us to hear from Catherine Popper, an angel investor and advisor to early-stage startups, as she shares her expertise on early-stage investing and the keys to successful partnerships. Catherine, a proud Jumbo, brings a wealth of knowledge on how to turn innovative ideas into reality through financial investment.
About Catherine Popper
Catherine Popper is a seasoned angel investor and advisor to startups, with extensive experience guiding early-stage ventures to success. She has worked closely with founders to navigate the complexities of early-stage funding, providing strategic insights and fostering valuable partnerships. As a Tufts alum, Catherine brings a unique perspective to supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems and driving innovation.
This event will include time for Q&A, so bring your questions and prepare to gain actionable insights into the world of startup investing.
This event is part of the Entrepreneurial Speaker Series, hosted by the Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts University.

Friedman Nutrition - Business Pitches
2025-04-30 16:30 - 18:30 | MedEd Auditorium, 145 Harrison St, Boston MA
Get ready to witness the ultimate showdown of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit at the Friedman Final Business Pitches event!
It’s going to be an evening filled with excitement, creativity, and maybe even a few surprises! Teams from NUTR 280 Nutrition & Entrepreneurship have been brewing up some seriously awesome ideas, and they’re ready to unleash them on the world.
📅 Date: Wed, April 30th
🕟 Time: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
📍 In-Person Location: MedEd Auditorium, 145 Harrison St, Boston MA
💻 Zoom: https://tufts.zoom.us/j/96004031836?pwd=[REDACTED]
☕ Food & Coffee & Olipop Beverages Served

Entrepreneurial Taco Social
2025-09-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Patio Outside the Tsungming Tu Complex, 200 College Ave, Medford, MA, 02155
Join us for a taco, meet and mingle with Tufts innovators and entrepreneurs, and learn how Derby Entrepreneurship Center can support your entrepreneurial journey. Faculty and staff will be available to answer questions on academics, business plan competitions, and co-curricular events. Watch lightening pitches on new ventures founded by Tufts students.

Tufts Consumer Product Fair - Fall 2025
2025-09-30 11:30 - 13:30 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
Did you know that many current Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni have businesses selling consumer products and services like hoodies, packaged snacks, bottled beverages, photography services and more?
Stop by the 1st floor of Joyce Cummings Center and learn about the retail businesses that Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni are building. Become a customer and support a Jumbo!
If you are a Tufts student, faculty, staff member or local alumni who has a current consumer-facing business, submit the vendor application form by September 24, 2025.

Apply to become a vendor

Confirmed Vendors for Fall 2025

Student led event: Hult Prize Competition
2025-11-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Ave, Medford, 02155, United States
The Hult Prize challenges students to launch for-profit startups that support at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). At the end of the competition, one team will win $1M USD in seed funding to bring their idea to life.
The 2025 Tufts Hult Prize Competition is a student-led pitch competition sponsored by Derby Entrepreneurship Center at Tufts. Learn more and apply:
https://tuftshultprize.wixsite.com/tufts-hult-prize-com
This is an in-person event. Register today to watch live pitches!

Tufts Consumer Product Fair - Spring 2026
2026-02-11 11:30 - 13:30 | First Floor Lobby, Joyce Cummings Center, 177 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, United States
Did you know that many current Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni have businesses selling consumer products and services like hoodies, packaged snacks, bottled beverages, photography services and more?
Stop by the 1st floor of Joyce Cummings Center and learn about the retail businesses that Tufts students, faculty, staff and alumni are building. Become a customer and support a Jumbo!
If you are a Tufts student, faculty, staff member or local alumni who has a current consumer-facing business, submit the vendor application form by February 6, 2026.

Apply to become a vendor

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MIT Africa Business Challenge
2026-02-27 08:00 - 2026-02-28 17:00 | MIT
The MIT Africa Business Challenge is a unique, immersive experience for students across New England to work in teams to develop innovative, practical solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing challenges in:

Education
Agricultural Logistics
Finance

The event will be held as part of the 2026 MIT Africa Innovate Conference on February 27–28, 2026, hosted on MIT’s campus.
