Speaker Series

START-UP SPEAKER SERIES
REAL STORIES FROM ENTREPRENEURS
The ECenter's Start-Up Speaker Series connects you with proven entrepreneurs who share real stories about their challenges and victories on the path to success.
Top Reasons to Participate:
ECenter Start-Up Speaker Series
- Hear from diverse innovators who show what's possible
- Speakers are often UNH alums and know what you can achieve
- Rotating speakers means there's always a new story to inspire you
- Get fired up about what you can do with your own idea or start-up
Spring 2023 Events
ALUMNI SPEAKER SERIES
"A Taste of Entrepreneurship"
April 12th, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Entrepreneurship comes in all shapes and sizes. Being your own boss has several different looks.
Join us for a discussion about new ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship within hospitality industry. Our alumni panel of food and beverage industry entrepreneurs will serve as an amazing exchange of wisdom and perspective between alumni and current students.
Register now
Moderator
Joshua Cyr '96, Interm Director of Peter T. Paul Entrepreneurship Center
Over the last few decades, Joshua has devoted himself to the intersection of entrepreneurship, mentorship, startups, and emerging tech. A considerable amount time in the last many years has been focused on early stage startups, crypto, and more recently web3.
Previously Joshua created and ran a startup accelerator for a non-profit (NH Tech Alliance / Alpha Loft) in New Hampshire, helping hundreds of startup founders over the past decade. Joshua created and ran all of the educational programming, helped founders dig into their business fundamentals, polish their fundraising pitches and provide introductions. Millions of dollars has been invested in startups throughout through engagments between startup founders and Joshua's programs and mentorship. Joshua also facilitated hundreds of events alongside the talented teams he worked with. Before that Joshua has been a CTO & software developer, co-founding a company that created commercial content management software used by Fortune 500 companies, universities, banks, municipalities, and small businesses.
Beyond day jobs Joshua have been a former City Councilor for the City of Portsmouth, President of his kids' local elementary Parent Teacher Organization, a previous member of the Portsmouth Economic Development Commission, Recreation Board, Joint Budget Committee, and has been a board member for a number of area non-profits.
Meet Our Panel
Penny Brewster, Founder of Ceres Bakery
Penny Brewster is the owner of Ceres Bakery in Portsmouth, NH. Penny is an experienced entrepreneur who named her bakery after the Roman goddess "Ceres" who was seen during ancient times as the goddess of agriculture. Ceres Bakery has been a staple of downtown Portsmouth since 1980. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is speedy and friendly, and the eclectic staff makes for it a cheerful place to eat.
Brett Wintersteen '05, Co-owner of DOS Mexican Eats
Brett Wintersteen is the co-owner and head chef of Dos Mexican Eats in Dover, NH, a fast-casual taqueria. Dos Mexican Eats opened its doors on March 13th, 2020, one week before the government shutdown and adapted marvelously. Over the past three years Brett has witnessed many changes within the industry and navigated the growth of a small business during the pandemic and beyond. Brett has a passion for the Seacoast community and its vibrant food scene, and Dos Mexican Eats has been involved with various non-profit organizations and initiatives, such as Take Out Hunger, the Seacoast Community Fridge, Red’s Good Vibes, and Strafford CAP.
Galen Hand '16, Co-founder of NOCA Beverages
Galen Hand is the Co-Founder of NOCA Beverages. He previously worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Piper Jaffray, Fixed Income II Sector Leader at The Atkins Investment Group, and an Investment Research Summer Analyst at CIFC Asset Management. Galen attended UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics in 2012.
Sponsored by Lake Street Advisors
Spring 2023 event videos
Alumni Panel" A Taste of Entrepreneurship"
Spring 2023 Start-up Speaker Series with Eric Shultz
Total CHIPOTLE consumption by hungry Speaker Series participants SINCE Spring 2020!
"Listening to these entrepreneurs felt like being engaged in a conversation and they encouraged others to reach for their passions. It was so valuable to learn about their journeys starting from the beginning [...] almost like you're reading a book.“
Participant, Fall 2022 Speaker Series
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