Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship

The latest news from the entrepreneurial hub of the Nolan School.

Artwork from the newly opened Convene 555 Broadway in Soho

Hospitality leader shares insights on emotion-led brand building

Hospitality leader shares insights on emotion-led brand building

Avery Sheppard holds her first place $25,000 prize.
Nolan School

Hospitality competition winner plans to expand restaurant into a chain

Master’s student Avery Sheppard won $25,000 to put toward her fish and chips eatery by winning the Nolan School’s hospitality business plan competition

Participants clapping at the inaugural Health for the Future Student Design Competition
SC Johnson College

Students design wellness solutions for North Carolina community

During a weekend design challenge, students focused on building a more connected wellness ecosystem

student team working

Hackathon provides industry exposure for students, fresh ideas for Hilton

The Pillsbury Institute’s industry ties include the Hospitality Hackathon, in which students leverage data to address Hilton’s business challenges

James Meli 2025 Hospitality Business Plan Competition 600×400

Entrepreneur in Residence Spotlight: Meli James ’00

Pillsbury Institute’s longest-serving Entrepreneur in Residence creates resources and opportunities to support Hawaii’s next generation of entrepreneurs

Tom posing with a group of students after a coffee chat while serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence

‘Buy now, pay later’ model extends to travel

Pillsbury Institute Advisory Board member shares his company’s origin story: making travel more accessible with payments over time

Jason Spillerman judging the 2025 Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition.

Entrepreneur in Residence Spotlight: Jason Spillerman ’92, P ’25

Real estate consultant and entrepreneur Jason Spillerman shares lessons from three decades of building and investing in businesses

Katelynn Wiseman and Miya Deng, seniors in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, present their startup, ALK.
SC Johnson College

Wellness bar proposal wins hospitality pitch deck competition

The winning team’s reimagining of the traditional hotel bar features kava- and CBD-infused cocktails.

Five students work at a table with a large screen on the back wall of the room.
Nolan School

Hospitality Hackathon winners propose app to cut billing complaints by 25%

At Cornell’s 2025 Hilton Hospitality Hackathon, more than 100 students tackled hospitality business challenges.