TIA participant Mike Ahearn Wilcox talks about his recent work getting customer feedback about his interactive meditation prototype.
The October session of the TIA Incubator brought a burst of entrepreneurial energy, featuring keynote speaker Mike Ellenbogen ’86, P’26 — 51 University’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year. There was also lots of energy from the student founders in the room, as they shared updates about venture progress, and the group heard two exciting pitches by alumni-led Rendezvu and student-led The Sunrise Classic. The atmosphere was one of curiosity, reflection, and forward momentum as students gathered to hear from an industry veteran whose career has spanned multiple groundbreaking ventures in technology and security.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial experiences — including as a founder and chief innovation officer at Evolv Technology, as well as product development early in his career at Vivid Technologies — Ellenbogen shared a candid look at his entrepreneurial journey; one that’s been anything but linear. From developing smaller, more cost-effective airport security scanners to creating an open walk-through system that can detect threats while processing 4,000 people per hour, his work has consistently focused on solving high-stakes problems through innovation.
His latest venture, currently in stealth mode, is bringing cutting-edge technology to a new setting.
Throughout his talk, Ellenbogen was frank about the obstacles he’s faced, from investor skepticism to the difficulties of selling into entrenched industries. But his persistence and ability to pivot were a major takeaway for students. “Starting a company is a series of challenges,” he said. “The journey is not direct. The question is how quickly and how well you get back up.”
Hunter Macy ’22 joined virtually to pitch his business, Rendezvu. He shared that the venture continues to grow rapidly since his participation in the 2025 Summer Accelerator, boasting more than 40 partnerships. His platform is redefining how adventure gear recommendations are made from top experts in the industry—focusing on authenticity over monetary influence to build a more trustworthy ecosystem of suggestions and connections.
Next up, The Sunrise Classic — founded by Thomas Rivier ’28 and Ryan Wilson ’28 — showcased how a simple idea can fill a surprising gap in the athletic community. As competitive high school athletes, they noticed that there were no summer races that could adequately prepare them for the upcoming running season and help them assess their readiness. Their racing events are designed to “beat the heat” and the “endless hours” typical of all-day track meets, creating a vibrant atmosphere with music, an announcer, and sunrise energy. Their goal is to make sure “it’s not just a race, it’s an experience.”
During the networking lunch, the buzz in the room was one of both inspiration and realism. Many students said they walked away from the morning session with new perspectives on what entrepreneurship really looks like.
“It was refreshing to hear that progress isn’t linear,” said Talia Broder ’28. “You don’t have to rush the process, just approach it thoughtfully.”
This weekend session clearly left participants motivated not only by Ellenbogen’s success stories, but by his transparency about the winding, unpredictable path it takes to get there. Innovation, he reminded everyone, isn’t just about the next big idea; it’s about persistence, adaptability, and finding purpose in the work you do.