![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/20251029_-Eureka-Pitch-Night_sme226-27-1078x607.jpg\")
Emily Sigel, \u201926, is pictured presenting her entrepreneurial idea to a panel at pitch night (Photo Courtesy of Sara Eleissawy \u201926)<\/p>\nKit Keating, \u201826, said everyone has ideas, but execution makes an entrepreneur.<\/p>\n
At Lehigh, students with entrepreneurial ambitions have access to a program designed to turn ideas into action, offering coaching, funding and real-world experience through every stage of building a venture.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Entrepreneurs are) the people who are really willing to put in the work, the people who are not afraid of failing and the people who understand that you have to chase challenges you have,\u201d Keating said. \u201cYou\u2019re going to fail multiple times. If you\u2019re afraid of that, I don\u2019t think that entrepreneurship is for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lehigh\u2019s EUREKA! student venture program helps young entrepreneurs from the Lehigh community transform their ideas into something tangible. What began as a small, annual competition in 2007 has grown into an individualized, year-round coaching and funding program designed for undergraduate and graduate students alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through a step-by-step framework, the program gives students space to pitch their business ideas. Aspiring entrepreneurs validate their concepts with advisors, learn how to effectively target consumers and develop a strong business plan for an entrepreneurial venture.<\/p>\n
Lisa Getzler, the vice provost of entrepreneurship at Lehigh and founder of EUREKA!, said students need regular coaching and resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, the program is led by Michelle Julet, the director of the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She emphasized that part of what makes EUREKA! special is its accessibility. Any student with an idea can request to attend a workshop. From that point, Julet helps create a custom game plan for each student\u2019s venture.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we have is super easy to get going,\u201d Julet said. \u201cYou can start a venture, whether you\u2019re a poet or an engineer. Whatever background you have, you can enter the EUREKA! program.\u201d<\/p>\n
After completing an idea bounce, students can attend a customer discovery workshop to ensure they\u2019re ready to pitch their idea for funding. At monthly EUREKA! pitch nights \u2014 open to the Lehigh community \u2014 students who are pitch-ready can receive expert feedback from judges and seek networking opportunities.<\/p>\n
Pitch nights are designed as a space for collaboration, not competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a competition against the other students pitching,\u201d Getzler said. \u201cIt\u2019s a review to help the Baker director identify what resources each student entrepreneur needs to move forward.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Students can return to another pitch night to seek further feedback and resources to advance their ventures.<\/p>\n
Emily Sigel, \u201926, is pictured presenting her entrepreneurial idea to a panel at pitch night (Photo Courtesy of Sara Eleissawy \u201926)<\/p>\n