Will entrepreneurs save the world? We think so.
The Georgetown Entrepreneurship Summit and Bark Tank event last week exemplified the spirit of purposeful, impactful innovation at Georgetown, where business, social good, and bold student leadership intersect to shape a better future. Read the latest article from MSB.
Background and Significance
The Georgetown Entrepreneurship Summit is a bi-annual gathering designed to ignite ideas, foster connections, and integrate social responsibility into the creation and leadership of businesses. Rooted in Georgetown’s Jesuit value of “people for others,” the Summit goes beyond profit, urging attendees to maximize growth and impact with mission-driven entrepreneurship. This year’s schedule featured prominent speakers and panelists from the business and philanthropy sectors, alongside the 11th Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards.
- A keynote conversation with Ted Leonsis (C’77, Parent’14, ’15) and José Andrés (Parent’23, ’26), moderated by Norah O’Donnell (C’95, SCS’03, HON’24, Parent’29, ’29). Ted built Monumental Sports and Entertainment and helped bring championship culture to Washington. José is the chef and humanitarian behind World Central Kitchen. Norah is a CBS News senior correspondent known for signature interviews.
- Seth Goldman, the mission-driven beverage builder behind Honest Tea and now Just Ice Tea. He is also chair of the board of Beyond Meat.
- Benjamin Zander, founder and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and co-author of The Art of Possibility, whose TED Talk on The Transformative Power of Classical Music has been viewed more than 21 million times worldwide.
Why Bark Tank is Outstanding for Students
Since its launch, Bark Tank has helped more than 60 ventures grow, raising over $295 million and creating more than 1,000 jobs. Bark Tank, part of the Summit, is Georgetown’s flagship pitch competition, providing student and alumni founders with cash prizes, visibility, and mentorship for ventures tackling pressing, real-world issues. Eight finalist teams took the stage to present innovative solutions across different sectors, each representing Georgetown’s mission to solve meaningful problems. Winners such as The Petition Co. (election tech) and Capsy (collaborative time capsule app) not only earned significant funding but also learned from expert judges, including Ted Leonsis, about scaling impact after the competition. Bark Tank is praised for helping students transform ideas into viable enterprises, supporting every finalist with financial and community resources.
🥇 Top Dog: The Petition Co. — $30K Grand Prize + $5K People’s Choice
🥈 Second Place (tie): Parachute & Capsy — $20K each
🥉 Third Place (tie): Racquet Theory & TariffIQ — $10K each
💡 Fourth Place: thrippy — $10K
👏 Fifth Place (tie): Wave & Skincare Connector — $5K each
Huge thanks to Ted Leonsis (C’77, P’14, P’15) and the Leonsis family for supporting Georgetown’s next generation of innovators and increasing this year’s prize pool to $125,000.
Continuing the Conversation Around Common Good Entrepreneurship
The Georgetown Entrepreneurship Summit brought together a vibrant mix of founders, investors, alumni, and students for a full day of learning, inspiration, and connection. One of the event highlights was the Entrepreneurs Examen, a reflective session inviting participants to pause and assess their entrepreneurial journeys—looking at both their purpose and the impact they aim to create. Through guided discussion and personal storytelling, attendees explored how values, resilience, and clarity shape sustainable leadership. Complementing the Examen were engaging keynote talks, panel discussions, and networking sessions that showcased innovative ideas and strengthened the Georgetown community’s commitment to ethical, purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Why These Events Matter
The Summit and Bark Tank collectively demonstrate that entrepreneurship is a force for the common good when grounded in values, community, and meaningful problem-solving. By championing student visionaries, celebrating impactful ideas, and keeping the core conversation focused on social responsibility, Georgetown Entrepreneurship amplifies its legacy and shapes the next generation of ethical leaders.