Entrepreneurship Week 2026 April 20th - April 23rd

Kutztown University’s 2026 Entrepreneurship Week, is a dynamic celebration of innovation, leadership, and the entrepreneurial spirit. This year’s program showcases the power of innovation, the grit of student founders, the leadership of women entrepreneurs, and the transformative potential of community-driven ventures. Across panels and conversations, the program highlights how entrepreneurship fuels growth, fosters inclusion, and shapes the future of business and society. Whether you're launching your first idea or scaling your impact, this week is designed to inspire, connect, and empower.

The Future of Business: Innovation, Technology, and Growth

Monday, April 20th

Technology & AI Panel: 9-10:30 a.m., MSU 218 (Click HERE to register!)

Munish Munagala (CEO & Co-Founder, Agent23.AI)

Munish is a veteran technology executive specializing in AI-driven digital transformation, now leading Agent23.AI in building intelligent agents that automate customer engagement and business workflows. He is passionate about translating emerging technologies into measurable business value.

Kryn McClain (CEO & Co-Founder, CatapolloVR)

Kryn leads CatapolloVR in creating immersive, evidence-based virtual reality experiences that transform how people learn, heal, and grow, blending technology innovation with clinical psychology expertise.

Xavier Shive-Sanchez (Founder & CEO, FunnelBridge.ai)

Xavier is the founder of FunnelBridge.ai, where he helps companies scale through AI-powered marketing automation, customer engagement tools, and integrated digital ecosystems. He is a recognized speaker on leveraging AI to drive performance and growth.

Hayden Craddolph (Founder & CEO, Cemboo)

Hayden leads Cemboo, an AI- and blockchain-powered platform for secure video distribution and monetization, drawing on 20+ years of digital media innovation, including the groundbreaking Haydenfilms Online Film Festival. He is a national advocate for digital equity and content protection.

More information on the Technology & AI Panel

This session examines how emerging technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. Technology leaders and founders will discuss practical pathways for small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt AI tools, data-driven systems, and automation. The discussion will emphasize how businesses can enhance productivity, improve customer engagement, and pursue innovation in a responsible and sustainable way.

Innovation & Venture Growth Panel: 11-12:30 p.m., MSU 218 (Click HERE to register!)

Michele Vervlied (Head of SBA Lending, Customers Bank)

Michele brings 30+ years of SBA lending expertise, leading Customers Bank’s mission-driven SBA platform with a focus on responsible growth, compliance, and expanding capital access for small businesses.

Mark Rentschler (KU SBDC Consultant

Mark is a small business financing expert with 25+ years of experience administering federal, state, and local loan programs, and has served as a consultant with the KU Small Business Development Center since 2012.

Katherine Tohanczyn (Partner, Starfield & Smith, P.C.)

Katherine is a national expert in small business financing who helps lenders and entrepreneurs navigate complex loan structures and close deals efficiently; she also teaches lending and finance at LSU’s Graduate School of Banking.

Scott Woodrow (Entrepreneur; KU COB Advisory Board Member)

Scott is a KU alumnus and sustainability-focused entrepreneur who co-founded Sustainable Waste Solutions and now leads Aunt Wendy’s Kiffles, expanding clean-label production while championing people, customers, and the environment.

More information on the Innovation & Venture Growth Panel

This session focuses on practical strategies for business expansion, access to capital, and building operational readiness. Panelists will share insights on lender expectations, financing options, legal considerations in scaling, managing risk, and how entrepreneurs can position their ventures for sustainable growth.

Student Startups Unleashed

Tuesday, April 21st

Student Entrepreneurs Panel: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., de Francesco 201

More information on the Student Panel
KU student entrepreneurs share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and the support systems that have shaped their ventures. The discussion focuses on navigating the challenges of launching and sustaining a business while in college, from finding mentors to accessing resources and building networks.
- Aaron Beet, Founder, A&J Mobile Detailing
- Rachael Lund, CEO, KU Sales and Operations Student Organization
- Joy Rivera, Illustrator/Storyteller
- Marshall Troese, Maker of Peter Griffin Mugs

Building Communities Through Entrepreneurship

Thursday, April 23rd

Women Entrepreneurs Panel: 10-11:30 a.m. MSU 218 (Click HERE to register!)

Mandy Siess, Owner of Let's Go Coffee Company

Mandy is the owner of Let’s Go Coffee & Bakery, a community-driven coffee shop known for quality coffee, thoughtful hospitality, and inclusive baked goods. What started as a dream grew into a space that values people just as much as product—creating a place where customers feel seen and staff feel supported.

Virginia Ellen co-founded Hangout for Art

Virginia Ellen is a Kutztown University alumna and co-founder of Hangout for Art, a Lehigh Valley creative studio, and co-owner of Snackmeister. With a Psychology degree from Kutztown, she brings a people-centered approach to entrepreneurship and community-building, drawing on over 12 years of experience operating creative businesses with her mother.

Katie Kupstas (CEO & Founder, Innovators Club for Women™ and Cocktails & Capital™)

Katie empowers founders through investor readiness, IP strategy, and go-to-market guidance, creating inclusive events and networks that connect entrepreneurs with the resources and rooms they need to scale.

Becca Spahr (CEO, Spahr Impact Group)

Becca is a keynote speaker, likability expert, and Marine Corps veteran who helps individuals and teams build authentic, high-impact relationships through approachability and genuine communication.

More information on the Women Entrepreneurs Panel

This session features accomplished women founders and leaders who are shaping industries through innovation, resilience, and community leadership. Panelists will discuss entrepreneurial journeys, obstacles encountered, and strategies that support women's success in business.

Societal Impact Panel: 12-1:30 p.m. MSU 218 (Click HERE to register!)

Seleda Simmons (Founder & Executive Director, The Real Deal 610)

Seleda is a community leader dedicated to mental health advocacy, youth empowerment, and justice-system support, driving transformative grassroots work across Reading and Berks County.

Lawrence Berringer (Executive Director, Berks Community Action Program)

Lawrence, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, leads BCAP’s $5M operation supporting housing, education, financial stability, and employment services for thousands of Berks County residents each year.

Kryn McClain (CEO & Co-Founder, CatapolloVR)

Violet Emory Tec Centro Berks (BLWDC)

Violet Emory is the Executive Director of Tec Centro Berks, leading workforce and education initiatives that expand employment, skills development, and economic mobility for underserved individuals and families in Berks County.

More information on the Societal Impact Panel

This session brings together leaders who are improving lives in their communities through community action, grassroots advocacy, mental health support, youth development, workforce training, and technology-driven empowerment. Panelists will explore how mission-driven organizations create pathways to economic mobility, address systemic inequities, and help individuals and families build stable and fulfilling lives.

KU SBDC WORKSHOPS

Join the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for a series of high-impact workshops designed to help you leverage modern tools and professional branding to grow your business.

Building a Custom GPT
Monday, April 20th | 5:00–7:00 PM (Virtual)

More information

Presenter: Rachael Wolfe, Business Consultant Program Manager, KU SBDC
This hands-on workshop introduces small business owners to creating custom AI assistants tailored to their needs. Participants will learn how to design simple GPTs that support customer responses, content drafting, data summarization, and internal workflows without advanced technical skills.
Focus: Practical, ethical, and cost-effective AI use for everyday operations.

Introduction to QuickBooks
Wednesday, April 22nd | 10:00–11:30 AM | Venue TBD

More information

Presenter: Sherrima Sharif, QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor
Designed for entrepreneurs seeking better financial control, this workshop covers the fundamentals of using QuickBooks to manage income, expenses, invoices, and basic financial reports. Participants will gain clarity on cash flow tracking and financial organization for tax preparation.

Building Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
Thursday, April 23rd| 5:00–6:00 PM (Virtual)

More information

Presenter: Rachael Wolfe, Business Consultant Program Manager, KU SBDC
This workshop helps entrepreneurs leverage LinkedIn as a strategic tool for visibility, credibility, and business growth. Participants will learn how to craft compelling profiles and share content that resonates with target audiences.