Wharton Stories: Incubating Ideas

A woman looks off into the distance. The entire image is shown through a blue filter.
The 2021 New Venture Competition spotlighted a range of innovative student startups like Hairtelligence, co-founded by Isoken Igbinedion, WG’21.

Revolutionizing Hair Customization for Black Women

A black-and-white photo of a person on an indoor cycling bike
“I really wanted people to find this safe place, this safe workout, because it’s low-impact. People can come and take a class if they’re 17 years old or if they’re 82 years old.”

Why The Co-Founder of SoulCycle Restarted with a New Fitness Venture

Prof. Stephanie Creary speaking and sitting with three panelists before a lecture hall
Diversity experts from Deloitte, the NBA, and Jones Day joined Prof. Stephanie Creary to discuss how innovative organizations are evolving in response to movements like #MeToo and #TakeAKnee.

How Business Leaders Build Inclusive Workplaces in an Era of Discord

Neil Blumenthal and Stephanie Creary talk and sit in fancy chairs on a stage in front of a Wharton projection screen.
Warby Parker co-CEO and co-founder Neil Blumenthal, WG’10, returned to Wharton Pre-Term for a conversation with Prof. Stephanie Creary about how to build diversity and inclusion.

How Warby Parker Builds an Inclusive Workforce: Takeaways from Wharton MBA Pre-Term

Three striped towels hanging on hooks on a wooden wall
Founder of Laguna Beach Textile Company, Danny Meurer, WG’17, is aiming to secure brand longevity by taking a different business approach to other fast-growing digital retail brands.

4 Key Differentiators in a Lean Approach to Founding a Digital Brand, from a Startup Challenge Semi-Finalist

The Piazza del Duomo: the magnificent duomo, arch, and horse statue framed in front of a bright blue sky with few clouds.
Through bonding over exchange programs and roads less traveled, Allison Chiu and Feym Fliegner, WG’18, forged a balanced and motivating business partnership.

How These MBA Co-Founders Bonded in San Francisco and Launched a Startup in Milan and Singapore

Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne smiles in front of a blurry background. She wears a white shirt with large blue and purple earrings.
Alumna social entrepreneur Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne is changing the market for women entrepreneurs of color.

How This Alumna Is Driving $1 Billion to Women of Color Tech Entrepreneurs

Cindy Liu stadning outside. She has short, dark hair and is wearing a white shirt and glasses.
To fulfill her passionate commitment to education, Wharton student Cindy Dexin Liu, WG’18, GED’18, worked with administrators, faculty, and mentors to become the first graduate of a new MBA/MSEd offered with Penn’s Graduate School of Education.

Three Reasons This MBA Student Helped Pioneer a New Dual-Degree Program in Education Entrepreneurship

Cindy Liu standing outside with her hands together. She has short, dark hair and is wearing a white shirt and glasses.
Cindy Dexin Liu, WG’18, GED’18, benefited from the close community and West Coast entrepreneurial network of Wharton San Francisco to co-found a Palo Alto alternative school.

How This Dual-Degree MBA Leveraged the Semester in San Francisco to Help Open a New School

Robert Zou talked at Penn Wharton China Center
Founder, chairman, and CEO of Arrail Group, Robert Zou, WG’94, shares takeaways from his experience as an entrepreneur in China and his success in the health care sector.

6 Pieces of Advice for New Entrepreneurs in China — and Beyond