By Grace Darcy
November 18, 2025

With a weekend filled with learning, innovation, and collaboration, Ignite 3.0 wrapped up another successful event of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Day one

Ignite 3.0 officially began Friday afternoon with lunch and a welcome address by Tara Godby, who is the co-founder of Teakeasy Tea. Tara Godby discussed “finding your purpose in entrepreneurship.” Tara left the corporate world after almost 30 years to start her journey of entrepreneurship as a career coach and then transitioned to a co-founder of Teakeasy. 

Following the welcome address, the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Quinn Valentine gave a presentation on designing the perfect pitch. The tips and tricks Quinn Valentine taught the entrepreneurs would be crucial the following day for the pitch competition.

The remainder of the day was broken up into two “sandbox sessions.”

The first, AI Tools for Business Startups, by Dr. Ju Long who is a professor in the Department of Information Systems and Analytics at the McCoy College of Business.

Following Dr. Ju Long’s presentation, CEO/ Executive Coach Rod Keller gave a presentation on Understanding and Assessing Funding Opportunities for Startups.

Tara Godby giving a presentation on the first day of Ignite 3.0.

Day two

Day two began with an inspiring keynote speech by entrepreneur and Shark Tank contestant, Max Feber. Max was on Shark Tank at 18 years old and secured a deal with Mark Cuban.

Following the keynote, participants of Ignite had the opportunity to ask a panel of judges questions about their journey through entrepreneurship. Max Feber, Rod Keller, Mark Nanez, Randy Haran, and Christina Jovanna Olivarez provided insight and advice to the entrepreneurs.

Two presentations followed the panel: The Dream Series by Randy Haran and Legal Aspects of Business by Michael Williams. These presentations gave the audience a variety of crucial information for continuing on with their venture. 

The Dream Series provided insight on “influencing the dream” to “capturing the dream,” allowing participants to understand the journey it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.

Legal Aspects of Business allowed the audience to understand the legal side of being an entrepreneur and running a business. Michael Williams taught the audience about the importance of LLC’s, stocks, and accounting.

Christina Jovanna Olivarez speaking on the panel on the second day of Ignite 3.0.

Pitch competition

At the end of the second day, a pitch competition was held for Ignite participants. The participants were broken up into four different groups to pitch their ideas and businesses to a panel of judges.

The judges in each room decided on a first, second, and third place winner for their group. Participants in each group voted on a People’s Choice award.

Rod Keller, Michael Williams, Randy Haran, Max Feber, Drew Lynch, Jennifer Speed, Kelly Visnak, and Christina Jovanna Olivarez judged the participants, with only three minutes of pitch time available for each pitch.

First place was awarded $1,000, second $500, third $250, and People’s Choice $100.

A participant giving her pitch to a panel of judges during the pitch competition at Ignite 3.0.

The winners:

Group A:

Group B:

Group C:

Group D:

Leah Rose posing for a photo with the judges after being awarded second place for Group A at the pitch competition at Ignite 3.0.

For more information about the CIE events and activities, check out our upcoming events.

Follow us on all of our socials - LinkedIn and Instagram. To find our events list, visit our linktr.ee.

About the CIE:

“Where underestimated talent becomes unstoppable.”

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship follows a mission of providing hands-on experiences to turn into something meaningful and impactful. The CIE supports “underestimated people and early-stage ideas with strategy, grit, and belief.”

The vision of the CIE is to make Texas State University “a place where entrepreneurship and innovation are real and accessible to anyone with the courage to create.” The CIE provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and the community to turn ideas into lasting ventures.

Media Contacts:

To become involved in the CIE as a student, faculty or staff, alumni, or community member, connect with the CIE team:

Quinn Valentine, Director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, McCoy College of Business, at quinn.valentine@txstate.edu 

Kendall Perkinson, CIE Program Coordinator

Email: kendallperkinson@txstate.edu 

Dr. Ju Long giving a presentation at the Ignite 3.0 event.

The Winners

Ahmed posing with a judge after being awarded first place at the Ignite 3.0 pitch competition.