Demo Day Spotlight: Malique Middleton and Gewd Ag
Malique Middleton is a VCU MPI alum and a multi cohort Shelfie Program alum whose work centers on food access, community knowledge, and empowerment. At last fall’s Demo Day, Malique presented Gewd Ag, a food focused venture built to help people grow their own food and reconnect with where it comes from. Gewd Ag was […]
Shelfie Holiday Gift Guide Fall 2025
It is that time of the year again, when we all start searching for gifts that feel personal, joyful, and a little more meaningful. This season, we are putting the spotlight on our Shelfies and the creative ventures they are building. Every purchase not only gives someone you love a unique gift, it also directly […]
Fall 2025 Demo Day: Celebrating Innovation Across VCU and Beyond!
“We’re so proud of everyone who presented at Demo Day! Pitching an idea in front of a live audience takes courage, clarity, and heart, and every student, alum, and community innovator who stepped up brought their best. Thank you to everyone who filled the room with encouragement, curiosity, and support. The energy was high, the […]
Celebrating Innovation and Creativity at VCU Demo Day and Holiday Market on November 14th!
The stage is set for one of the most inspiring moments of the semester—VCU Demo Day, a bi-annual pitch competition where student innovators take center stage. Hosted by Shift Retail Lab, this event brings together bright minds from across the university to share their ideas for new products, services and ventures. Finalists will deliver investor-style […]
The future of higher ed starts outside the classroom
Universities need to look at different models of who educates, who gets educated—and how. Former da Vinci Center Executive Director, Garret Westlake, shares insights in Fast Company about the impact of Shift Retail Lab—co-founded with our new Executive Director, Lloyd Young.Shift Retail Lab is a powerful example of how cross-disciplinary collaboration supports and serves all […]
VCUarts senior Delaney Slavik finds the right mix of motion and sound
The kinetic imaging major, who also has earned a certificate through the da Vinci Center for Innovation, has strengthened her skills with three internships while at VCU. A childhood curiosity – the behind-the-scenes components of film and television – brought Delaney Slavik to Virginia Commonwealth University, where she has crafted a personalized course of study […]
The Student Hustle: Juggling creativity, entrepreneurship and academics
College life is no longer just about late-night study sessions and cramming for exams. For many students, it’s also about managing a creative side hustle to make ends meet or explore passions beyond the classroom. Whether it is selling art on Etsy, performing at local venues or running an online clothing shop, students are finding […]
da Vinci Center alum win Silver in the New York Product Design Awards!
CoPath: Social Ride-Pooling for Sustainable Cities run by Inho Park, Quynh Nguyen, and Ami Zhang won silver in the New York Product Design Awards – Category: User Experience (UX) – Product UX as an innovative and groundbreaking look at solving modern city congestion issues. Read more about the award and CoPath here. >>
VCU Demo Days is Expanding!
VCU Demo Days is how the da Vinci Center at VCU is leveling up Feedback Friday. Traditionally, Feedback Friday marked the end of the Shelfies program, featuring a mini pitch competition to celebrate participants’ progress. Now, with Feedback Friday and Demo Day combined into VCU Demo Days, participants have the chance to deliver investor-style pitches, […]
Meet the MPI – Ana Roberts
Discover why “Failing Fast” is important in the Product Innovation process!