Meet the MPI (Master of Product Innovation) Fall 2023
The Master of Product Innovation (MPI) at VCU da Vinci Center is designed for creative thinkers and doers from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds who want to ideate and launch innovative products, projects and initiatives in some of the world’s most leading edge companies. Meet our Fall 2023 students! Andy Pitts Andy Pitts was […]
Kickstarter CEO Visits VCU
Friday, February 16, 2024 VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation was excited to host a day with Everette Taylor, Kickstarter CEO, the world’s premiere crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Taylor, a seasoned entrepreneur since the age of 19 with his company EZ Events, has garnered recognition, including being listed on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” in […]
VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation Celebrates Black History Month
Happy Black History Month! Meet some of our amazing staff, who work hard behind the scenes (and now in front of the camera) to help with all things VCU da Vinci Center, like event planning, social media, community engagement, and leading courses and workshops. Mason Miles | SHIFT Retail Lab Graduate Assistant “It’s a collaborative […]
Sonali Shetty, da Vinci Center adjunct faculty, talks about her twenty plus years in the field of Innovation
“In an era marked by the convergence of innovation, technology and business, Sonali Shetty has been at the forefront, helping companies and individuals to grow and thrive. With a background that spans over twenty years, she has consulted for Fortune 500 companies, started an AI/ML company, served as a CTO, and trained top executives. Additionally, […]
Siera Fountain named as one of “100 People to Meet in 2024: Go-Getters” by Virginia Business
An artist and designer who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in art from VCU and was an intern at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Siera Fountain is now back in Richmond as a product innovation graduate student at VCU’s da Vinci Center for Innovation. This year, in addition to winning a $3,500 first-place award […]
Class of 2023: How a date that ended badly led Jack Oppenheim to a business venture and, ultimately, VCU’s da Vinci Center
Master of Product Innovation student is taking Tow Ninja to new markets. Call it a goodnight kiss-off. Jack Oppenheim’s car was towed during a date. It’s fair to say he rebounded quickly. Then a junior at James Madison University, majoring in history, Oppenheimer found inspiration in the moment and started Tow Ninja, a company that eases […]
SHIFT Magazine, Volume 2 Press Release
Richmond, VA—-The SHIFT Retail Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University and the students from INNO 591 are proud to announce the launch of the SHIFT Magazine, Volume 2. To celebrate, the class is throwing a party at SHIFT Retail Lab, and you’re invited! Read SHIFT Magazine Issue No. 2 >> Friday, December 1st 5pm to 7pm1235 […]
da Vinci Center for Innovation worked with Henrico County Public Schools to give students the opportunity to explore career paths in business and STEM
Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) is providing new educational centers in two middle schools for students to explore careers in business, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). On Nov. 13, HCPS announced it will be implementing a new program called the Centers for Innovation at John Rolfe Middle School and Quioccasin Middle […]
“A Successful SHIFT.” Shift Retail Lab featured in Richmond Magazine.
From School to SKU, “Making its debut in 2021, Shift Retail Lab operates as an incubator for students and entrepreneurial community members to test ideas. A playground for product potential, it provides a physical space for thinkers to immerse themselves in the commercial journey.” Read the full feature here >>
PROTOTYPING THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION: SHIFT RETAIL LAB ACCEPTS FAST COMPANY INNOVATION BY DESIGN AWARD
“’We’re prototyping the future of higher education.’ That is how Lloyd Young, director of innovation and design at VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation, describes what she and her colleagues do every day at the Shift Retail Lab. Their work is turning heads, not just in Richmond, but nationwide. Shift was named the winner of the Learning […]