On October 16, 2025, the Blackstone LaunchPad celebrated a decade of fostering student entrepreneurship at Syracuse University. Since its inception in 2015, this initiative has empowered aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence necessary to launch successful business ventures.
Among the success stories is Angelo (A.J.) Damiano, who founded PowerSpike, an influencer platform that connects gamers with sponsorship opportunities. As a first-year student, he had no idea that his idea would evolve into a company generating over $5 million annually. The LaunchPad was pivotal in his journey, equipping him with essential business knowledge and fostering a collaborative environment.
Impact on Student Ventures
Damiano reflects on the experience, stating, “The LaunchPad gives so many students the skills necessary to go out and build very successful businesses.” He credits the program for creating a community where students learn from one another, leveraging shared insights to refine their ventures.
Over the past ten years, the LaunchPad has assisted more than 7,600 innovators from over 135 countries. Its notable achievements include launching more than 2,300 venture ideas, raising over $164 million in funding, and incorporating 220 ventures. The celebratory event featured remarks from David Seaman, Dean of Libraries and University Librarian, who praised the LaunchPad as a dynamic space that enhances student experiences.
“This is truly a cross-campus, centrally located, collaborative and interdisciplinary space for our students to develop and launch innovative ventures and to thrive,” Seaman said.
Support and Mentorship
The LaunchPad provides unwavering support and mentorship, allowing students like Damiano to hone their product pitches, secure funding through competitions, and cultivate valuable relationships with experienced entrepreneurs. Notable mentors include Linda Dickerson Hartsock, the first executive director of the LaunchPad, and Sean Branagan, founder of the Newhouse School of Public Communications’ Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship.
In 2022, Damiano sold PowerSpike to Live Current Media and is now the co-founder and chief product officer of ScrollMark, a social media automation platform. He emphasizes that the LaunchPad was essential in laying the groundwork for his success, stating, “The community within the LaunchPad gave us the business training, connections and strong foundation to build our companies.”
Students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to engage with the LaunchPad’s extensive offerings, which include over 200 different programs. According to Traci Geisler, LaunchPad Director, these programs range from workshops and business presentations to networking opportunities with alumni entrepreneurs.
Geisler highlights the program’s impact on revenue generation, stating, “We have LaunchPad entrepreneurs who are generating revenue by their sophomore year in college, students who are closing seven-figure investment rounds, and founders who are hiring full-time employees before they graduate.”
The LaunchPad also connects students with the Founders Circle, a network of alumni who actively support aspiring entrepreneurs through mentorship and financial contributions. Waqar Hussain, a member of the Class of 2025, founded Iconnic.Cloud, a cloud hosting platform. His company has gained recognition, winning first place at the annual ’Cuse Tank entrepreneurial event.
“LaunchPad helped me tremendously, not only in acquiring funding for my startup, but also by connecting me with alumni and businesspeople who helped me make Iconnic.Cloud what it is today,” Hussain shared, highlighting the program’s vital role in his entrepreneurial journey.
Similarly, Motolani Oladitan, a current student, created Tà Beautie, a virtual marketplace for African beauty and wellness brands. Oladitan credits the LaunchPad with providing her the knowledge and resources to pursue her passion for social entrepreneurship.
As the Blackstone LaunchPad embarks on its second decade, it continues to be a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship, shaping the future of countless student entrepreneurs at Syracuse University and beyond.
