Batten Institute - Entrepreneurship - i.Lab Incubator - Events

Upcoming Events

Pitch Camp: The 60 Second Story

Friday November 21, 12-1pm

Where: iLab Classroom 180 at Darden Business School

RSVP HERE

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

Past Events

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!