What this is about:

In cooperation with the Columbia Business School Alumni Club of Seattle and Columbia Venture Community, we're excited to be hosting Chris McGarry, Director for Entrepreneurship at Columbia, Ethan Rudin, CFO of Rhapsody, and Edmond Sanctis, Co-Founder of Sahale Snacks, for a panel discussion about entrepreneurship.

Started in July 2013, Columbia Entrepreneurship (CE) seeks to help Columbia students, faculty and alumni launch Columbia-born ventures.  One example of their efforts is the Columbia Startup Lab in SoHo in New York City that provides subsidized space for 71 Columbia alumni entrepreneurs.  Learn more about Columbia Entrepreneurship HERE.

Streaming music company Rhapsody competes in a field of players larger than itself: Spotify, Pandora, Apple, Amazon.  It has huge growth, having increased its user base 60% from a year ago.  Though Rhapsody has existed in different forms since the early 2000's, it is like a startup in many ways.  Ethan Rudin, a graduate of Columbia Business School, is one of the people leading the charge at Rhapsody as CFO.

Finally, from the seemingly simple ingredients of a friendship, a hike, and a love for good food, Edmond Sanctis and Josh Schroeter created Sahale Snacks in 2003.  These two graduates of Columbia Business School came from backgrounds in media and technology rather than food and, by not doing things the usual way, they've brought their passion from their kitchen - rather than a garage - to a 2014 acquisition by the J.M. Smucker Company. 

Whether from working with a startup mentality at internationally recognized brands or creating a whole new brand, Ethan and Edmond have unique insight into what it takes to build something from the bottom up.  Come hear about the present and future for Columbia entrepreneurs.

What's going to happen:

6:00 pm Registration

6:30 pm Welcome and introduction to Chris McGarry

6:40 pm Chris McGarry provides Columbia Entrepreneurship and Startup Lab update

7:10 pm Chris introduces Ethan and Edmond

7:15 pm Panel event begins

7:45 pm Q&A with audience

8:00 pm Networking reception

TICKET INFO:

Space is limited.  

Appetizers included: Caprese Skewers (V), Fresh Spring Rolls with marinated tofu (V), Bacon Stuffed New Potatoes, Margarita Chicken Skewers, Smoked Trout on Cheddar Biscuits.  

A Beer and wine cash bar will be available.

Tickets are $10

Purchase an Annual Membership now ($35) and the event is free!

Members that have Annual Membership can buy discounted tickets ($5) on the Annual Members event page: http://seattle.alumni.columbia.edu/entrepreneurship_annual_members_page

Thanks and hope to see you there!