CINCINNATI, OH (April 30, 2024) — Thomas More University’s Dr. Anthony ’65 and Geraldine ’66 Zembrodt Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ZCEI) will partner with Main Street Ventures as it prepares for the third annual Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy, a one-week entrepreneurship boot camp for high school students, this summer. 

Through this collaborative effort, Main Street Ventures, a leading organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and startup businesses through equity-free funding, additional programming and community resources, and the ZCEI will work closely together to develop a comprehensive curriculum and provide expert instruction for high school students interested in entrepreneurship.

“By partnering with Thomas More University, Main Street Ventures will leverage the University’s academic expertise to develop a curriculum tailored to the unique needs and aspirations of high school students interested in entrepreneurship,” says Jazmine Mosby, manager of special events and operations for Main Street Ventures. “Partnerships like these are a vital part of ensuring we can provide the necessary foundation and support to ensure success for tomorrow’s business leaders.”

Jeni Al Bahrani, director of the ZCEI and professor of practice for the Robert W. Plaster College of Business at Thomas More University, plays a crucial role in developing the curriculum for the Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy. Al Bahrani also acts as an instructor for one of the program’s modules, bringing her real-world experience and academic expertise to the program to ensure students receive a well-rounded educational experience.

“At Thomas More University, innovation is not just a buzz word, it’s a mindset,” says Al Bahrani.  “At the ZCEI, our mission is to instruct and guide young minds through the intricacies of entrepreneurship. This is an exciting partnership that inspires and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs in our community to pursue their dreams.” 

The Inventure Entrepreneurship Academy kicks off June 24 at the 1819 Innovation Hub at the University of Cincinnati. The program provides instruction and guidance on a range of topics, including idea generation, business planning, marketing strategies, financial management, and leadership skills. The program is open to rising freshmen through senior high school students in Hamilton County. Students interested in attending should visit mainstventures.org/inventure to complete an application by May 31.

This partnership is just the latest for Thomas More University as the ZCEI, established in 2023, emerges as a regional leader in education for entrepreneurs and academic innovation. Al Bahrani and the ZCEI also play an integral role as Thomas More hosts the Kentucky Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs Summer Startup program this summer.

For more information about the ZCEI, visit thomasmore.edu/zembrodt-center.  

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 About Thomas More University:

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,000 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. 

About Main Street Ventures:

Main Street Ventures, recipient of the 2023 Cincy Inno “Catalyst” Fire Award, is the greater Cincinnati region’s small business and entrepreneur support organization that provides financial capital in the form of grants and community connections to emerging businesses with the potential to create jobs and vibrant communities. Since 2018, Main Street Ventures has distributed nearly $3.5 million to more than 160 companies across the region. With this community investment, Main Street Ventures strives to ensure the region is a good home for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Grants are made possible, in part, due to funding support from Ohio Third Frontier, the Hubert Family Foundation, the McDonald Family Foundation, The P&G Fund, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust, and Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund in collaboration with Blue North and Horizon Community Funds.

Media Contact: Kristen Gallagher, director of communications and public relations, gallagherk@thomasmore.edu, 859.344.3309

Photo caption: (left to right) Jazmine Mosby, manager, Special Events & Operations, for Main Street Ventures and Jeni Al Bahrani, director of the Dr. Anthony ’65 and Geraldine ’66 Zembrodt Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ZCEI) at Thomas More University