Spring Update from The Batten Institute
Never a dull moment!
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There was never a dull moment at the Batten Institute this spring!
I’m really proud of how we’re becoming more relevant to more Darden students — from aspiring founders and future investors, to acquirers of small businesses and those entering the tech sector, to startup joiners and corporate innovators.
We now offer year-round co-curricular programs for all these groups, along with funding opportunities, an entrepreneurs-in-residence network and deeper connections to faculty across disciplines. We’re also helping build a more dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem at UVA and across the Commonwealth.
And we’re excited to continue to expand our reach — not just with students but also with alumni. (We'd love to hear your ideas via our interest form!)
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 — especially to our 15 talented Batten Scholars (plus just as many venture founders and ETA searchers). Keep reading for more updates on all things entrepreneurship, innovation and technology at Darden! More than ever, if you're a student or practitioner interested in these areas, you’ll get outsize love in our community.
Onward,
Omar Garriott
Executive Director
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Best Ways to Influence Climate Beliefs and Behaviors
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UPDATES FROM THE TECH HUB
Tech Innovators Challenge
The Batten Institute recently hosted its inaugural Tech Innovators Challenge, supported by SZNS Solutions and Google Cloud. Eight teams — made up of 29 Darden students — tackled real-world tech challenges across disaster relief, e-commerce, drug development and health care. As Darden’s first tech-focused case competition, the challenge represents an exciting step forward in expanding tech opportunities at the School. We're energized by the creativity and talent on display — and even more excited to build on this momentum with future tech-focused initiatives.
Tech Learning Series
This spring, the Batten Institute expanded the Tech Learning Series into new territory — and it was a hit. Now in its third year, the series featured dynamic guest speakers, including CEOs, alumni and award-winning tech innovators, all sharing real-world insights. The series reached more than 100 Darden students diving into hands-on experiences like product development and design thinking. With energy and curiosity driving every session, the Tech Learning Series is a launchpad for Darden students interested in tech.
Upcoming Events in Washington, D.C.
Looking ahead, we're excited to connect with you at a series of events spotlighting the future of tech. First up: the NVTC Impact AI Summit on 15 May in McLean, Virginia, where leaders will explore AI’s transformative role across industries. Then, from 2-4 June, we’ll be at SCSP’s AI+ Expo in Washington, D.C. — a convergence of industry, government and academia focused on emerging technologies and their implications for U.S. and allied competitiveness. Finally, mark your calendar for our third-annual DC Tech Connect on 24 October at Darden’s Sands Family Grounds in Arlington, Virginia. This event brings together students, alumni and industry partners for top-tier panels, hands-on workshops and meaningful networking. We look forward to seeing you there — reach out to connect with us about any or all of these events!
UPDATES FROM
ENTREPRENEURSHIP + INNOVATION
Showcasing Spring Entrepreneurial Wins and Momentum
In the University-wide Entrepreneurship Cup, nine Darden students across degree formats were selected as finalists in February’s Discovery round, including winning ventures Land Credit, Cabell Jones, MetricMatters, Noogs and Memorial Tribute Legacy. Three Darden finalists competed in the culminating E-Cup Launch round in April with Land Credit and TalentBeam earning $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, in non-dilutive funding. At the conclusion of the Launch competition, the Kathryne Carr Award — a $25,000 grant honoring the late Kathy Carr’s legacy and recognizing i.Lab founders who embody her entrepreneurial spirit — was presented to i.Lab alumna Olivia Cleary (Arch'20), founder of The Clearly Collective.
Miles Lanham (i.Lab cohort 2024, SEAS Second Year) is among the i.Lab Incubator alumni making waves fundraising for his venture Métopi: Miles won first place in the Washington University Olin School of Business BigIdea Bounce competition.
The Batten Institute enjoyed heading off Grounds for the 13th annual Tom Tom Festival. Executive Director Omar Garriott hosted a fireside chat with i.Lab Incubator alumni Olivia Cleary and Kevin Eisenfrats, co-founder of Contraline. Darden students Kelly Okun (Class of 2025) and Paul Clancy (MD/MBA Class of 2026) pitched their ventures at the Crowdfunded Community Pitch Night, while founders from Darden’s KPI Club took the stage at the WomenAdvancing Summit.
Batten concluded Tom Tom by hosting the 2025 Jefferson Innovation Summit, where Professor Mike Lenox led 22 delegates from across Virginia through a series of discussions that will result in five recommended actions for catalyzing innovation in the Commonwealth to be shared widely later this year.
Looking ahead to summer, programming is taking shape for the 2025 i.Lab Incubator cohort. The program kicks off in early June with 23 ventures led by founders from six UVA schools and will culminate in an exciting Demo Night at the Rotunda this August. Follow the Batten Institute on LinkedIn for the official cohort announcement coming in a few weeks.
Fostering Entrepreneurial Spirit: Batten’s Spring Programs and Community Building
Batten seeks to sustain momentum through a range of support and engagement opportunities — not just for founders, but for all students interested in growing their entrepreneurial mindset and skillset.
Launched this spring, the Entrepreneurs-in-Residence program offers expertise and mentorship in a range of industries to students and faculty across MBA formats as well as to ventures in the i.Lab Incubator.
In April, nearly 130 admitted students and their families visited Grounds for Darden Days, hosted by Admissions. Programming included “Take a Break with Batten,” an event designed to create connections among incoming students interested in tech, entrepreneurship and ETA. Darden Reunion Weekend also gave the Batten Institute a chance to connect with the community through a "Founders & Friends" social event. Continued alumni engagement is informing a collection of alumni profiles on Batten’s new website.
As part of an ongoing effort to recognize that innovation can take many forms and an innovative mindset is an important leadership quality, Batten launched the inaugural Innovative Club Award this spring in partnership with the Darden Student Association. Congratulations to this year’s winner, the Asia Business Club at Darden, for its above-and-beyond efforts and track record of innovation. A congratulations is also in order for the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club for earning the Darden Student Association’s Club Excellence Award, which recognizes clubs with outstanding performance, leadership and impact.
Fueling Future Business Owners Through ETA
Interest in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) continues to grow — bolstered by the success of Darden's first-ever ETA Velocity elective. This spring, five students were named the inaugural Batten ETA Fellows. Modeled after the Batten Founder Fellows awards, a program which we piloted last year and are expanding with this year’s graduating venture founders, ETA Fellows will receive funding to pursue their goals for ETA post-graduation.
Registration opens soon for the 2025 Southeast Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference, hosted 5-6 September at Darden. Keep an eye on Batten’s LinkedIn page for the official announcement.
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Good Disruption Podcast
"Good Disruption” is a lively discussion between UVA Darden School of Business Professors Mike Lenox and Yael Grushka-Cockayne on cutting edge technologies and practices that challenge the status quo.
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