True innovators don’t need a boardroom full of suited executives to captivate an investor. During the 2026 TIA Entrepreneur Showcase, start-up founders demonstrated their ability to secure funding using just an eight-foot table, a handful of print materials, and a riveting 30-second pitch. Immediately following the pitch competition, ventures transitioned to the tabling segment of the event to present their original ideas to more than 250 peers, parents, staff, faculty, and alumni.
The objective of tabling was to convince audience members to invest “Iggies” in their venture. [“Iggy,” coined by Andres Echenique ’83, is an expansion of “IG” (Investment Game).] The Iggy Game divides a total of $10,000 to the ventures tabling at the event in the ratio of how many Iggies they receive. To reach their investors, ventures filled their tables with promotional materials, display products, and even some prototypes ranging from T-shirts, to coffee, to Mexican street dogs. However, the biggest asset of each venture was the pitch. Mentors suggested to students that they arm themselves with a one-line hook to draw investors in, while investors were encouraged to consider a venture’s potential before distributing their Iggies.
Of the 30 ventures, 20 were tabling for the first time in their TIA career. While some of these 20 ventures arrived as established projects seeking a higher gear, many began as mere sparks of inspiration that ignited and flourished within the TIA Incubator ecosystem. There were also a few returning students who presented a fresh idea, including the Colgate Business Review — Colgate’s first business magazine, delivering insightful, accessible business analysis and original perspectives that connect students, alumni, and the broader community.
One venture described the tabling experience as incredibly exciting and energizing. Ellrose Hanlon ’26 joined TIA this year to start her venture Edits by Ellrose, a creative media venture that produces high-quality video and photo content for brands, organizations, and individuals looking to communicate with authenticity and impact. Hanlon reflected on the event, calling it a valuable experience pitching a venture that she is passionate about and networking with Colgate alumni in her field.
“One conversation that stood out to me was with the first person who stopped by my table. She shared that she had been hoping there might be a student at the event with filmmaking experience to help create a documentary for her nonprofit in Boston, and she said it felt like ‘fate.’ She was wonderful, and that coincidence may now turn into a future project,” noted Hanlon on the connections she made at the showcase.
Another first-time TIA entrepreneur, Andrew Sullivan ’26, shared Hanlon’s proud sentiment in presenting a concept that has come to fruition through months of hard work. His venture, Oasis Running, produces high-quality, affordable running singlets for teams that are looking to represent their brand with customizable products. Oasis has made immense strides this year, notably with Sullivan beating a personal record in sales.
“I had a good idea of the main points I wanted to make during my pitch so it was a good experience tweaking and adapting depending on how well I knew the audience and the reactions I had received thus far. … It felt like a celebration of all the work I’ve done, as well as the work of everyone in the Colgate community going out and making an impact on the world,” Sullivan expressed on his takeaways from the event.
With a bustling atmosphere on the floor, the tabling segment was a crucial environment for founders to give their pitches and gain real-world experience. Amidst the crowd of attendees, student innovators successfully networked with alumni and mentors, making valuable connections—some of which are already anticipated to turn into future projects.
All photos by Paxton Hilgendorff ’26.