The Brad D. Smith Student Incubator is a dynamic program designed to empower budding entrepreneurs at Marshall University. Established in 2019 through a partnership between the Brad D. Smith Schools of Business and the Marshall University Advanced Manufacturing Center, the incubator is named after Brad D. Smith—Marshall alum, benefactor, and current university President—who has made significant contributions to the business world and the West Virginia community.
The incubator provides a comprehensive platform for students to transform innovative ideas into viable businesses. Participants are guided by professional startup advisors while getting hands-on, practical experience as they test, adapt, and validate their business concepts in the marketplace. The program is tailored to foster growth and success, equipping students with the skills and resources they need to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
Students gain access to experts in various fields who provide insights and knowledge crucial for business development.
Each member of the cohort receives one-on-one mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs to help students navigate the complexities of starting and growing a business.
Participants in the program earn academic credit, integrating practical entrepreneurial with their academic pursuits.
Our students represent a diverse group of passionate and talented individuals from various academic backgrounds, all working toward launching their startups.
Liam is a senior from Barboursville, WV. He is majoring in Civil Engineering with a minor in Piano. Liam is passionate about sailing, playing the piano, and writing music. He holds a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and is a U.S. Sailing Certified Instructor. A fun fact about Liam is that he can solve a variety of different Rubik’s cubes.
Gwyneth is a sophomore from Winfield, WV. She is majoring in biology with minors in chemistry, psychology, and pre-professional health care studies. Gwyneth holds multiple leadership positions in her sorority, is a twin, and is in the sorority, Alpha Xi Delta.
Raj is a sophomore from Pittsburg, PA. He is majoring in biochemistry. A fun fact about Raj is that he enjoys playing tennis!
Evan is a senior from Portsmouth, OH. He is double majoring in Journalism and Psychology. Evan is the Executive Editor for The Parthenon and a Yeager Scholar. A fun fact about Evan is that he is has been writing for the newspaper since he was 16.
Aaron is a junior from Fayetteville, WV, majoring in Chemistry. Aaron is currently a Student Government Association Senator, and a fun fact about him is that he can play piano!
Jack is a junior from Columbus, Ohio. Jack is majoring in entrepreneurship and finance and is learning how to speak Russian!
Jake is a sophomore from Barboursville, WV. Jake is majoring in biology. A couple of fun facts about Jake is that he enjoys golfing and owns 2 golden retrievers.
Luke is a senior from Logan, WV. He is double majoring in Accounting and Marketing. His accomplishments include being an Eagle Scout and Yeager Scholar. He is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge with others. Some fun facts about Luke are that he can wiggle his ears and he’s beat guitar hero on expert more than once.
Jacob is a junior from Fayetteville, WV, studying Exercise Science. One of his current achievements is that he was on the President's list last semester, and a fun fact about Jacob is that he can bench 305 pounds.
Will is a junior from St. Albans, WV. He is majoring in Civil Engineering. Will was recently elected Vice President of Marshall's Society of American Military Engineers / American Society of Civil Engineers! A fun fact about Will is that he is a 4th generation Marshall student.
Jared is a junior from Parkersburg, WV. Jared is majoring in entrepreneurship and is the former VP of Finance for Sigma Phi Epsilon. A fun fact about Jared is that he is a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Emma is a sophomore from Milton, WV. She is double majoring in Political Science and Entrepreneurship. Emma is also a part of the women's soccer team here at Marshall. A fun fact about Emma is that she is 1 of 6 siblings
Garrett is a senior from Milton, WV. He is majoring in Biology and minoring in Chem Pre-Professional Health Studies and Spanish. Garrett is also a Yeager Scholar. A couple of fun facts about Garrett is that he can do a backflip and coaches youth soccer.
Jaxon is a senior from Culloden, WV. He is majoring in Biology/Chemistry Pre-Medicine. Some of his current accomplishments include being a John Marshall Scholar and Promise Scholar. One fun fact about Jaxon is that he is a 3-time WV State Champion member of the Hurricane Red Hot Show Choir.
Nick is a junior from Scottown, OH, majoring in Civil Engineering. He went to Symmes Valley High School, and a fun fact about Nick is that he enjoys running!
Lillie is is a sophomore from Milton, WV. Lillie is majoring in Pre-Dentistry Biological Sciences. Lillie is a Marshall REU intern for Environmental Engineering. She was invited to speak at a National Science Foundation Grantee conference about her summer research and is a John Marshall Scholar. A fun fact about Lillie is that she has a minor in Studio Art and loves to paint/draw famous historical women.
Tucker is a sophomore from Milton, WV. Tucker is majoring in psychology. In his free time, Tucker likes to play Tabletop role-playing games like Dungeon & Dragons.
Megan is a sophomore from Ironton, WV. She is majoring in finance with a minor in health care management. Megan holds leadership positions in Financial Management Association and is involved in the Campus Baptist Ministries. Some fun facts about Megan is that she likes to hike, read, and spend time with her friends, family, and dogs.
Aly is a sophomore from Ona, WV. Aly is majoring in Psychology. Interestingly, Aly is Apple teacher certified, has MU data analyst experience, and is part of the Marshall For All, Marshall Forever program.
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We're always looking for passionate, driven students eager to turn their ideas into reality.
Each year, we select up to three new startups to join.
If you're a Marshall University student with a startup idea, complete the form to learn more.
Since graduating from Marshall University in 1986, Brad D. Smith has remained a steadfast supporter of the university and the West Virginia community as a whole. With a prominent career in business —most notably as President and CEO of Intuit—Brad has always had a vision of giving back to the place that built him.
In 2019, he co-founded the Wing 2 Wing Foundation with his wife, Alys, to focus on uplifting the people of Appalachia. Through Wing 2 Wing, they also launched the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), a foundational program that funds talent attraction and retention through both Ascend West Virginia and First Ascent. The OEDC continues to draw national attention for its innovative approach to economic development in the Mountain State and is just one of many initiatives headed by Brad aimed at opening doors and broadening horizons for Appalachians and their communities. In 2021, Brad's commitment to West Virginia was further solidified when he was selected as Marshall University’s 38th President—the first alumnus to ever hold the position.
Brad is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities, promoting community engagement, and supporting the next generation of innovators and leaders. Learn more about how he's transforming the educational landscape for West Virginians through through Marshall For All, Marshall Forever, the Cabell Commitment plan, and the OEDC.
Keep up with Brad on social or visit his website for news, philanthropic updates, and leadership learnings:
LinkedIn| Twitter| Instagram| Facebook | Website
© 2020 by Marshall University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
