Batten Institute - Entrepreneurship - i.Lab Incubator - Events

Past Events

Pivoting with Purpose: Rebuilding Momentum as a Founder with Olivia Cleary

Thursday April 23, 8:30-9:45am

Where: CLA 150, Darden Business School

What happens when your venture evolves and the path forward requires a reset? In this workshop, founder of The Clearly Collective and UVA i.Lab alum, Olivia Cleary, will share the story behind her brand, how she built her business, and what led to a pivotal moment of reinvention.

Through a candid look at her current “semi-pivot,” she will explore how founders can reintroduce and reposition their brand while creating the operational structure needed to move forward with clarity. This session will cover practical insights on rebuilding momentum, communicating a new direction to your audience, and mapping strategic priorities so pivots feel intentional rather than reactive. 

8:30-9am: Coffee with Olivia, opportunity for any student to come chat with Olivia over coffee

9-9:30am: Pivoting with Purpose, led by Olivia

9:30-9:45pm: Session Q&A 

Coffee and pastries will be provided. This session is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

Pitch Camp & Founder Meetup
When: Wednesday February 4th, 5-7pm

Where: The Foundry, 9 Elliewood Ave

Got an idea or early venture you want to pitch? Come practice with founders and mentors from the iLab community and get feedback on your pitch, your concept, or both in a low-pressure, high-energy session open to all UVA students. Come early to reserve your spot and a chance to pitch. 

5-6pm: Pitch Camp, led by i.lab mentor Kevin Eisenfrats, founder and CEO of Contraline

6-7pm: Founder Meetup & Pizza, sponsored by The Foundry

All participants agree to honor the UVA Honor Code and respect the integrity and ownership of ideas shared during the session.

This session is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

Pitch Camp
When: Friday February 13, 12-1pm

Where: iLab Classroom 180 at Darden Business School

Got an idea or early venture you want to pitch? Come practice with founders and mentors from the iLab community and get feedback on your pitch, your concept, or both in a low-pressure, high-energy session open to all UVA students. Come early to reserve your spot and a chance to pitch. 

All participants agree to honor the UVA Honor Code and respect the integrity and ownership of ideas shared during the session.

This session is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

i.Lab Application Q&A

Wednesday January 14, 5-6pm

Where: iLab Classroom 180 at Darden Business School

Ready to apply to the iLab and join the 2026 cohort? Still on the fence and want to learn more? This is a session you don't want to miss. The i.Lab team will share everything you need to know about this upcoming application process, what to expect in this year's program, and interview previous i.Lab alumni. Bring your questions!

5-5:20pm: Pizza & Founder Social 

5:20-6pm: i.Lab Q&A

This session is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

i.Lab Application Q&A

Friday January 30, 1-2pm

Where: The Foundry, 9 Elliewood Ave

Ready to apply to the iLab and join the 2026 cohort? Still on the fence and want to learn more? This is a session you don't want to miss. The i.Lab team will share everything you need to know about this upcoming application process, what to expect in this year's program, and interview previous i.Lab alumni. Bring your questions!

1-1:20pm: Pizza & Founder Social 

1:20-2pm: i.Lab Q&A

This session is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

Pitch Camp: The 60 Second Story

Friday November 21, 12-1pm

Where: iLab Classroom 180 at Darden Business School

Every founder needs a clear, confident, and compelling elevator pitch — it’s your calling card when meeting investors, mentors, or potential teammates. Whether you’re introducing yourself at a networking event or explaining your startup for the first time, how you tell your story can make all the difference.

Join Jay Lester, one of Darden’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, for an interactive, hands-on workshop designed to help you find your voice and refine your pitch. In a supportive environment, you’ll:

• Learn what makes an elevator pitch resonate

• Break down the key elements of storytelling that investors and mentors remember

• Practice delivering your pitch with confidence

• Receive real-time feedback from Jay and your peers

You’ll leave this workshop with a sharper message, stronger presence, and an elevator pitch that makes people want to hear more.

This workshop is open to any student, faculty, or staff in the UVA community

Understanding Branding & How to Navigate Building a Great One

Wednesday November 5, 5-6:30pm

Where: iLab Classroom 180 Darden Business Schoo

Things this workshop will dive into: 

• Understanding what a brand is
• The five disciplines of brand building
• A brand naming ideation activity
• How to craft brand values and voice

This workshop will offer an entry point into understanding what a brand truly is—and how to take strategic, actionable steps to build one that connects, inspires, and drives meaningful change for any entrepreneurial venture.

This workshop is for any student interested in entrepreneurship. You don’t need to have a startup to attend and participate.

This workshop will be led by KT Schaeffer. With almost 30 years of experience shaping human-centered brand experiences across advertising, retail, and entrepreneurship— including roles at The Martin Agency, Anthropologie, NIKE, and Sugar Paper LA. KT Schaeffer brings a dynamic blend of creative strategy and design thinking to every challenge. As Creative Director and faculty at the VCU Brandcenter, she leads the school’s brand projects as well as their publication, SIXTY, while mentoring the next generation of creative problem solvers. 

Pizza will be served!