Business takes center stage at annual Exposition

On Saturday (April 23) Emerson’s Entrepreneurial Studies program, E3, will host its Sixth Annual E3 Exposition from 10:00 am–3:00 pm at the Bill Bordy Theater at 216 Tremont Street. This year, the renowned program, which was recently featured in the Boston Globe  will celebrate a significant milestone at its exposition—the 100th student to complete the program with a business plan.

Executive-in-Residence Karl Baehr, who started E3 in 2005 to train future entrepreneurs, has witnessed the success of students in the program since its inception. “This program works because it’s collaborative. It connects students with industry professionals on and off campus with the goal of having a fine-tuned business plan. And many students are able to find investors and launch their business.” Business plans developed by E3 students have a launch rate of 30 percent, higher than any other program of its kind.

A yearlong program, E3 is open to juniors and seniors across all disciplines at Emerson. Students are mentored in the process of developing a business plan, from creating a budget and a marketing strategy to presenting the idea and securing prospective investors. E3 students have pursued businesses in production, event planning, clothing, music, design, and other areas of interest.

For Baehr, the E3 Exposition is always a special event. “It’s a chance for the students to showcase what they’ve worked on all year to an audience of friends, family, and professionals from the business and entrepreneurial communities, as well as the Emerson community.”

During the exposition, three main activities are interspersed throughout the day: student presentations (a competition with cash winnings up to $5,000), exhibits (students display their business ideas/products and talk with event goers one-on-one), and a keynote speaker.