By Grace Darcy
October 16, 2025

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Advisory Council held its inaugural meeting earlier today.

The day began with a welcome and introductions breakfast with Quinn Valentine and the members of the advisory council. Throughout the meeting, the council discusses updates, goals, and future plans.

In today’s meeting, the council discussed a recap of events from the CIE this semester. So far this semester, the CIE has put together the ROI Pitch competition, Wednesday Workshops, and on and off campus pop-up markets (Bobcat Bazaar and ArtSquared), among other successful events.

The meeting also highlighted the center’s Entrepreneurial Industry Workshops (EIWs) and the entrepreneurship club. Navigating the Music Business, which first launched this summer, has returned this fall for another EIW session. The Navigating the Music Business program allows students to gain an understanding of the business side of the music industry.

The Influencer Marketing program also launched this fall, another EIW session. The six-week program allows participants to take a deep dive into the world of influencing and learn how to turn their own brand into a successful business.

The Entrepreneurship Club has re-launched this fall hosting various speakers and meetings.

Also highlighted, the council discussed external collaborations and new platforms including the launch of Student Made Texas State.

Student Made, which was launched this fall, allows student creators to hold a shop on the website to sell their items.

Looking ahead for the semester, the council discussed upcoming events including Ignite 3.0.

Ignite 3.0 is an annual two-day innovation summit this November with Tara Godbey kicking off the event as the Kickoff Speaker. Max Feber will return as the keynote speaker.

The Advisory Council has three goals. The first being to “identify and implement relevant and robust programming.” The second, “create a strategic plan for long-term success and growth,” and the final being to “outline and implement a sustainable funding model.”

Our talented council works hard to ensure the CIE provides a variety of opportunities for students, staff, and alumni at Texas State University.

Members of the Advisory Council:

Quinn Valentine, Director of the CIE

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