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Montclair State University Hosts 2024 NJ Small Business Summit, Uniting Entrepreneurs and Industry Leaders for Innovation and Growth

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On October 24, 2024 Montclair State University and its Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation, welcomed the state’s small business community to campus for the New Jersey Small Business Summit, an event dedicated to connecting, learning and sharing ideas on how to support entrepreneurs and small business owners.

In partnership with 10 New Jersey higher education institutions and 20+ community organizations, the event welcomed over 350+ attendees for a day of networking, learning and inspiration highlighted by a program featuring panel discussions and A-List entrepreneurs.

Panelists at the Summit included happy™ Products’ Co-founder & CEO Craig Dubitsky, Culina Health Co-Founder and CEO Vanessa Rissetto, and Shark Tank Season 14 contestant and Nopalera Founder Sandra Velasquez.

Sessions at the New Jersey Small Business Summit included:

  • AI Trends For Small Businesses: Explored how artificial intelligence can benefit small businesses by improving efficiency, decision-making, and customer engagement
  • Scaling Up: Women Entrepreneurs Turning Ideas into Profits: Women entrepreneurs shared their experiences of growing their businesses from initial ideas to profitable ventures
  • From Bootstraps to Backers: The Different Paths to Success: Explored the various funding journeys entrepreneurs take, from bootstrapping their ventures to securing outside investment
  • Doing Business with the NJ Government: We learned how small businesses can engage with the New Jersey government through contracts and partnerships

This successful day was rounded out by a panel on how to prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – which included some photo opportunities with the official FIFA ball!

You can email the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation at entrepreneurs@niagarafishingservices.com or follow them on Instagram @montclair_felicianocenter to find out what is in store for the NJ Small Business Summit in 2025.