Event For Aggie Entrepreneurs Includes San Antonio For First Time

Registration is still open for the third annual Aggie Entrepreneurship Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, which will include simultaneous events and speakers in Dallas, Houston and, for the first time, San Antonio.

Connecting generations of Aggies, the event is designed to provide networking and learning opportunities while featuring successful entrepreneurs who are former students of Texas A&M. The Association of Former Students, Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures, and Entrepreneurship and Startup Aggieland are collaborating to host the events.

The keynote speaker in Dallas will be Harold Strong ’82, former director of A&M’s Research Park; in Houston, John White ’70 of Southern Funds Group; and in San Antonio, Phil Miner ’80 of Material Handling Services.

Among the sessions offered, each location will feature a panel of speakers to discuss financing new ventures.

Speakers also include previous winners of the Aggie 100 – an award The Association sponsors annually to recognize the fastest-growing Aggie-owned businesses.

Learn more and register at AggieNetwork.com/entrepreneurship. The deadline to register is Jan. 22; early response is encouraged, as this event has sold out in the past.

The registration cost ($65 for Century Club members) includes parking, lunch and a post-event cocktail reception for networking.

Past attendees have ranged from A&M’s Class of 2016 to the Class of 1962.
“Not only did we build a plan to grow our business, but we left with a new level of excitement and determination for success,” said Stephanie Poe ’09.

The Association’s Rebekah Josefy ’13, who helps coordinate the events, said Aggie Entrepreneurship Saturday can benefit entrepreneurs at any stage of the startup process.

“If you have a successful business that you started, but you’re wanting to grow your skills, it’s great for that. If you’re just starting to think about entrepreneurship and you have an idea, it’s a great place to come get a foundation for where to go next,” Josefy said.

Logan Beszterda ’06 said, “I walked away energized with tangible items that could be applied to my business right away. I loved the concept of Aggies teaching Aggies.”

Kathryn Greenwade ’88, The Association’s vice president for communications, said, “The idea for this program originated from The Association’s Young Alumni Advisory Council, formed in 2012, and was conceived as a way to engage greater numbers of young graduates through Association programs.

“Events like these demonstrate the power of the Aggie Network in providing mentorship opportunities and sharing knowledge and experiences with other Aggies,” Greenwade said. “These events are great examples of Aggies helping Aggies.”

The Association of Former Students, established in 1879, is the official alumni organization of Texas A&M University. The Association connects the members of the worldwide Aggie Network with each other and the university, and provides more than $10.9 million a year in impact to University scholarships, awards, activities and enrichment for students, faculty, staff and former students. For more information about The Association of Former Students, visit www.AggieNetwork.com.