Montclair State University Appoints First-ever Entrepreneur-in-Residence

On Jan 9, 2020

Karen Cahn, a former digital media executive and founder of iFundWomen, has been appointed the first-ever Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) at Montclair State University. Cahn will mentor students, including winners of the Startup Montclair 2020 pitch contest, and advise the University’s Feliciano School of Business and Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation executive director. The EIR program aims to leverage the experience and expertise of exceptional startup founders, bringing their insights, wisdom, and energy to the Center and business school.

Cahn, an early digital media executive at companies like Google, YouTube and AOL will receive co-working space at the Feliciano Center plus access to the MIX Lab, a maker space housing more than 60 3D printers and digital fabrication machines.

“The entrepreneurial spirit is ALIVE in New Jersey, and I’m so thrilled to be a part of it,” said Cahn, who is a Montclair resident. “And with the Feliciano Center’s commitment to women entrepreneurship, this was a natural partnership with iFundWomen.”

The Center’s executive director, Carley Graham Garcia, said Cahn was a perfect fit to be the first Entrepreneur-in-Residence.

“Karen’s success not only as a media executive but as an entrepreneur now focused exclusively on closing the funding gap for female founders makes her the perfect advisor to our student startups. As an inaugural member of New Jersey’s Golden Seeds Angel investing chapter, Karen is focused on growing our region to be an innovation hub, especially innovation led by women. And as a Montclair resident since 2005, Karen loves and actively supports our vibrant community. She is the perfect addition to our expanding program,” said Graham Garcia.

From inspiration to realization, iFundWomen provides early-stage entrepreneurs with access to capital through crowdfunding and grants, coaching and community – a vital network that sparks confidence, accelerates knowledge and ignites action.

The Feliciano Center offers programming and events for students and the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Center has a special mission to nurture and encourage women entrepreneurs. The Center created and manages Women Entrepreneurship Week (WEW), which was celebrated by more than 240 universities and colleges in 32 countries and 49 states in 2019. Cahn spoke at the 2018 WEW Conference at Montclair State.

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