Innovate@BU is thrilled to announce a significant multi-year gift from Cynthia Cohen (above, left), Founder of IMPACT 2040 and Vice Chair of the Boston University Board of Trustees. The donation will power IDEA Con, the largest cross-college innovation conference in the country, for five years.
“Innovation is a critical driver of economic growth and societal advancement in today’s global world,” said Cynthia, a Boston University Metropolitan College alumna. “I’m proud to sponsor this conference where students can learn, share, and collaborate to accelerate their innovative ideas. My passion is supporting and encouraging this young generation who will change the world. My goal is for all students attending IDEA Con to be stimulated and inspired to keep pursuing their innovative ideas for business and society, whether in the corporate world or their own entrepreneurial venture.”
Since its founding in 2018, IDEA Con has become a cornerstone of the innovation and entrepreneurship experience at BU. It has convened thousands of students and recent graduates from 20+ colleges across New England and partnered with leading institutions such as Tufts University, UMass-Lowell, and the University of New Hampshire, among others. Each year, a diverse cast of inspiring student speakers and industry experts are featured on stage and in workshops to show the myriad ways in which one can become successful.
“We’re tremendously grateful for Cynthia’s financial support,” said Siobhan Dullea, Executive Director of Innovate@BU, “but also for her years of service and wealth of expertise that she has shared with our students and staff so generously.”
The next IDEA Con is scheduled for October 26, 2024 at Boston University. Learn more and sign up here to be notified when registration opens.
Cynthia Cohen, Founder and Chief Strategist of IMPACT 2040, is a seasoned business strategist and entrepreneur with a passion for nurturing emerging entrepreneurs. Her extensive career includes partnership at Deloitte, founding a successful consulting firm, and advising numerous ventures. A corporate governance expert, Cynthia has served on 12 public company boards and is a frequent judge for prestigious entrepreneurship awards. A Boston University graduate, she now serves as Vice Chair of its Board of Trustees and has been recognized with Innovate@BU’s 2023 Mentor of the Year award and the Henry Morgan Award for her significant contributions to entrepreneurship education and mentorship.
About Innovate@BU
Innovate@BU is a University-wide initiative to enable all BU Terriers to become drivers of innovation in their own lives, careers, and communities.
Through its physical home on the Charles River campus, the IDG Capital Student Innovation Center, it provides a variety of signature programs that foster an entrepreneurial mindset and help students turn their ideas into something real.
