Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)

student-entrepreneurship-center

Seton Hall University, Stillman School of Business, South Orange, NJ.

Central entrepreneurship hub at Seton Hall, founded in 2003 by Susan Scherreik, founding director. Has raised over $2.15 million since inception. Hosts the annual Pirates Pitch Startup Competition ($16K prizes), Pirates LaunchPad Summer Accelerator (up to $2K seed per venture), high school Pirates Pitch ($50K+ prizes/scholarships), and the Entrepreneurship Club. CIE is the founder and administrative home of UPITCHNJ (statewide collegiate startup competition in partnership with Nokia Bell Labs). Also runs ImpactNJ Urban Ventures Collaborative (community entrepreneurship bootcamp), Entrepreneur Hall of Fame dinner, and NJ Cybersecurity Connect-Collaborate-Careers conference. Academic programs include B.S. in Entrepreneurship and undergraduate certificate. Director Scherreik named ROI-NJ Top 10 Entrepreneurship Influencer (2022), received President's Award for Student Service (2024), and Innovate 100 Leader (2025).

• Pirates Pitch competition entry ($16K total prizes)
• LaunchPad Summer Accelerator slot (up to $2K seed)
• Mentorship program (1-3 week engagements with alumni entrepreneurs)
• Entrepreneurship Club access
• Workshops, boot camps, networking events
• Pro bono legal services (OGC Outside General Counsel Solutions)

No direct CIE funding. Pirates Pitch provides $8K/$4.5K/$3K/$500 prizes. LaunchPad provides up to $2K seed per venture upon completion.

Rolling engagement. Academic programs follow semester schedule. Pirates Pitch: spring semester cycle (register by March, compete April). LaunchPad: 8 weeks May–July. High School Pitch: November (Global Entrepreneurship Week).

Seton Hall undergraduate and graduate students (all majors), high school students (Pirates Pitch High School), community entrepreneurs (ImpactNJ).

• shu-pirates-pitch
• shu-launchpad