Interested in studying entrepreneurship and innovation at Baruch College? Check out what our recent graduates are doing.

Denny Gabriel (BBA Entrepreneurship, ‘24) is a junior investor at Runa Capital, a global venture capital firm that invests in software startups. Prior to this role, he was an Investment Partner at Dorm Room Fund where he led pre-seed investments in student-led startups across the U.S. In these roles, Denny is constantly meeting with startup founders in order to invest capital and serve their business needs. He attributes much of his success thus far to the practical nature of his Baruch education. “My Entrepreneurship courses gave me a lot of real-world project experience, including a trip to Panama to consult for local entrepreneurs, that I can leverage in my current roles.” Having the opportunity to learn about business in a hands-on curriculum is, in Denny’s view, one of the main benefits of Baruch’s Entrepreneurship major. Looking forward, Denny advises current students looking to make their mark on the world to “be open minded, take risks, and explore new things.”

Liliana Cepeda (BBA Entrepreneurship, ’23) is currently a Development Coordinator at Streetwise Partners, a non-profit that advances economic equity for underrepresented communities, and the founder of Conectados, a startup that connects the Latino community in NYC to trusted and culturally relevant businesses, services, and opportunities. In these two roles, Liliana wears many different hats, from event planner to marketer to business owner, and credits her success to her time at Baruch. “My Baruch education as a whole helped me build many of the skills I use today, both for Conectados and at Streetwise. I took many classes that helped me learn more about both the for profit and non-profit sectors, so when I graduated I felt prepared for whatever was to come in my professional career.” More specifically, Liliana highlights how her decision to study entrepreneurship was pivotal to the success of her startup. “Conectados really wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the resources and guidance given to me in Baruch’s Entrepreneurship program. It started off in my first entrepreneurship class where Conectados came to life, and after hearing positive feedback, I started working on it outside of class,” such as in the Field Center for Entrepreneurship’s CUNY Clash ideas competition where she won first place. Based on the diversity and richness of her experiences at Baruch, Liliana advises students to “take advantage of all of the opportunities that Baruch offers. You never know what doors can open by being in the right room at the right time.”

Mohammed Rafeek (BBA Entrepreneurship, ’22) is the founder and CEO of Cultural Experiences LLC, a startup that partners with a diverse array of small businesses throughout New York City to provide cultural experiences to young adults seeking to broaden their awareness and appreciation of the many cultures that make up the greatest city on earth. Mohammed is constantly engaged in ideating, scripting, filming, editing, and posting content about his business on various social media platforms. Mohammed credits the Baruch entrepreneurship curriculum with providing him with the opportunity to prepare his startup for launch. According to Mohammed, the ability to test his ideas in the classroom before striking it out on his own was “absolutely phenomenal. It’s a no cost program that utilizes a real-world example… it motivates students to work on business ideas that they end up developing in class.” Mohammed’s advice for current students is to follow their passions and (citing his company’s tagline) always be willing to “experience something new.”

Dimitrios Mano (BBA Entrepreneurship, ’21) is a co-founder of Roofty, a startup that enables people to access exclusive New York City amenity spaces and rooftops for gatherings, events, and other activities. His education at Baruch played an important role in preparing him for the many hats he wears as a business owner. “Originally I was a Finance major at Baruch, or that’s what I was intending to announce, but given my love for building companies and working in small businesses, creating something from scratch. I saw that the Entrepreneurship Program was there, switched my major, and for the last 2 years I was strictly taking Entrepreneurship classes. It was absolutely fantastic, the professors all had first-hand knowledge and experience in what they were teaching.” Looking back on his time at Baruch, Dimitrios advises current students to try to learn from those who are more experienced with starting a venture and to “never be afraid to ask questions.”

Maximiliano (Max) Navarro III (BBA Entrepreneurship, ’18) is the President of OpTech, a family-owned and operated logistics and supply chain solutions company founded by his grandfather, Max Navarro Sr., in 1986. Under his leadership, OpTech provides supply chain solutions to major clients such as Toyota, Tesla, and Volkswagen, ensuring efficient and reliable supply chain services. Overseeing a workforce of 250+ employees, Max drives company-wide operations, spearheads business development, and leads OpTech’s growth by expanding its market presence and enhancing brand recognition. He attributes much of his entrepreneurial mindset to his time in the Entrepreneurship major and  Field Center for Entrepreneurship, where he had the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty, staff, mentors, and peers. It was in that supportive environment that he founded the College Entrepreneurial Organization (CEO) to create a “home for entrepreneurs” that fostered creativity, collaboration, and ambition. Max’s advice to current students is to “start now and realize your dreams.”  He urges aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks, seek inspiration, and make the most of their college years. “College is the time to explore, identify what you’re passionate about, and take the first step toward building something meaningful.” For those thinking about launching a business, he offers a simple yet powerful message: “Do it now.”