Profile
Member Since 2022
Site Staff, EIX Editor, Family Business Editor
Jennifer Gessner
e-Fest Program Manager / Schulze School of Entrepreneurship / EIX/University of St. Thomas
AUTHORED RESOURCES
Meet the Finalists for e-Fest 2023
6600 views
These 25 undergraduate teams from across North America brought their business ideas for innovative mobile apps, medical devices, consumer products and more to the eFest finals. Read More...
Johns Hopkins Team is 2023 e-Fest Grand Champion
6602 views
Other top teams hailed from University of St. Thomas, University of Minnesota-Crookston, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Brown University and Dartmouth College. Read More...
Student Innovators: Get Ready Now for e-Fest 2024
3766 views
Our undergraduate business idea competition returns April 18-20. A September 21 webinar will provide a roadmap for the months ahead. Read More...
e-Fest Grants Can Help Schools Fund Entrepreneurship Programs
9810 views
Our business idea competition for undergrads returns April 18-20. Schools sponsoring a team can apply for grants now. Read More...
Our Family Business YouTube Channel Has Launched!
5565 views
Visit it today...and subscribe to be the first to know of new videos on how to empower family businesses. Read More...
Announcing the Top 25 Finalists for e-Fest 2024
8851 views
These undergraduate teams and their advisors are heading to e-Fest April 18-20, with a chance to win part of a $215,000 prize purse for their business ideas. Read More...
Announcing the Winning Teams for e-Fest 2024
9197 views
The three-day event was about encouraging undergraduates to explore their potential and make a difference. Read More...
Unlock Creativity with the Bisociation and Business Models Lesson Plan Module
3122 views
Inspire your students' creativity with our bisociation lesson plan! Adapted from top professors, this module helps students design innovative business models and discover new opportunities. Read More...
Can You Turn $5 Into a Successful Business?
4265 views
The $5 Startup Challenge pushes students to think creatively, work as a team, and turn a small investment into profit! Read More...
Luck or Skill? The Coin Toss Game Module for High School Entrepreneurs
3351 views
How much of success is luck, and how much is skill? Our new Coin Toss Game module helps students explore this critical question while learning to navigate uncertainty in entrepreneurship. Read More...
Introducing Business Modela: A Comprehensive Lesson Plan for High School Students
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Introduce your students to the world of business models with this engaging lesson plan. Perfect for building a foundation that leads to deeper exploration of entrepreneurship concepts. Read More...
Discover How Businesses Work: A Hands-On Introduction to the Business Model Canvas
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How do businesses create, deliver, and capture value? Dive into this hands-on lesson plan and teach your students the power of the Business Model Canvas! Read More...
Bring Humor into the Classroom with SNL Viable Business Models
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Get your students laughing and learning with this SNL-inspired lesson! This activity uses humor to teach critical business concepts, challenging students to turn improbable ideas into viable business models. Read More...
Unlock Creativity and Problem-Solving with LEGO® Serious Play
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How can LEGO® bricks help students solve real-world problems? This hands-on lesson encourages creativity and teamwork through the power of play! Read More...
From Ideas to Impact: Understanding Invention vs. Innovation in Business
4661 views
This engaging lesson helps students explore the difference between invention and innovation while sparking creativity and entrepreneurial thinking. Read More...
Pitching 101: Essential Skills for High School Students
6275 views
Help students turn their ideas into impactful presentations with this pitching module! This hands-on lesson builds confidence, public speaking skills, and the art of the perfect pitch. Read More...
How to Host an Innovation Challenge: Inspire Student Creativity and Problem-Solving
4225 views
Ignite your students’ creativity with the Innovation Challenge! This engaging module combines competition and collaboration to teach essential problem-solving skills. Read More...
Creating Change Through Business: A Hands-On Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
3504 views
Teach students how to make an impact with this hands-on lesson in social entrepreneurship! Explore solutions to real-world challenges and inspire change through business. Read More...
Announcing Our Free Resources for High School Educators
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These research-backed teaching modules build real-world entrepreneurial skills. Read More...
e-Fest® Development Grants Empower Student Entrepreneurs
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e-Fest®, our annual business idea competition for undergraduates, returns April 24-26, 2025! Development grants help student teams get ready. Read More...
Announcing the 25 Finalist Teams for e-Fest 2025
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These undergraduates from colleges and universities around the US are set to compete in Minneapolis April 24-26. Read More...
Stanford Team is 2025 e-Fest Grand Champion
10343 views
The annual business competition, for undergraduates only, awarded $220,000 in prizes from April 24-26. Read More...
The e-Fest Innovation Challenge - A Proven Model for Sparking Student Innovation
5453 views
What happens when you put students who’ve never met into a team, give them a big problem, and just hours to solve it? Jennifer Gessner shares tips you can try at your own school. Read More...
Help Improve EIX: Take Our Audience Discovery Survey and Shape Future Content
163784 views
We are launching a short Audience Discovery Survey to learn what you value most, including the formats you prefer, the topics you rely on, and how EIX can support your goals more effectively. Read More...
Fearless Leadership: Teach Courage, Creativity & Confidence Through the Eras of Taylor Swift
207015 views
A free, ready-to-use classroom module for high school educators. Read More...
Discover Your Market: A Student Entrepreneur Project
72982 views
A free, classroom ready module that helps students explore customers, value, and early opportunity discovery. Read More...
e-Fest: Where Undergraduate Startups Mean Business
946 views
Student founders can compete for seed funding and learn from experienced entrepreneurs. Read More...
Meet the 25 Student Startup Teams Headed to e-Fest 2026
17281 views
This year’s finalists represent a diverse group of students tackling real problems with creativity, insight and determination. They'll compete for a share of $250,000 in prizes. Read More...
Cast Your Vote for the Best Student 'Brand Builder'
341 views
As 25 teams of undergraduate teams head to e-Fest, check out their one-minute sneak previews of their innovations. Read More...
e-Fest 2026 Crowns National Champion
382 views
A student-founded biotech from Michigan State University captured the top award, as 25 undergraduate teams competed for $250,000. Read More...