ZinnStarter

ZinnStarter at Carroll College

Silicon Valley’s longest serving CEO Ray Zinn, has launched the national ZinnStarter program at Carroll College, providing the financial and mentoring support for students to launch new products and companies. The program is designed to allow students to create go-to-market plans, finish prototypes, and ultimately to be evaluated on the performance of their use of funding.

Carroll College is now an eligible institution to receive start up funding from ZinnStarter for qualified entrepreneurial ideas.

ZinnStarter’s mission is:

• To inculcate the next generation of entrepreneurs to create enduring businesses
• To provide seed money for promising business plans
• To provide students with the leadership, management and entrepreneurship knowledge of Ray Zinn

ZinnStarter Business Pitch Event

The process begins with the ZinnStarter Business Pitch competition - (2 per semester - dates TBD). Business Pitch presentations will be made each semester, giving students the opportunity to qualify for up to $1000 in ZinnStarter funding.

Students in all majors interested in developing a business plan, consulting with successful entrepreneurs, learning how to avoid start-up pitfalls and debt, and expanding leadership skills, can present their business idea in three minutes or less to the ZinnStarter student board of directors.

• Kyle Jones - Pond Doctor
• Diego Carbone - Life Board
• Rowan VanBrandt - Rocky Mountain K9

"These remarkable entrepreneurial programs have a valuable and consistent discipline of innovation and entrepreneurship that matches the vision, values and culture of my leadership and experience, detailed in my 'Tough Things First' book, podcast and leadership platform. I’m thrilled with the opportunity to work with directly with the students and facility in a direct capacity to plan and facilitate the creation of a new company." - Ray Zinn

Carroll Headlight Restoration

Jaden Harrison’s interest as an entrepreneur and small business person was influenced by his father, Carroll professor Dr. Annette Ryerson; and the ZinnStarter program to create his own business, Carroll Headlight Restoration. Jaden shares in his own words a bit more about his journey

Past Winners

The following have been awarded money from ZinnStarter:

Flip the Spirit
Flip the Spirit aims to magnify the spirit in spirit wear with a new fun product while being affordable for college students! Find out more

She Action Sports Association
The She Action Sports Association's mission is to empower women while increasing their enjoyment and confidence in action sports. Find out more