Innovate@BU’s IDEA Con is the largest university-run, cross-college innovation conference in the country, annually drawing hundreds of entrepreneurially-minded students from a number of institutions across the Northeast. Now, thanks to a generous gift from an esteemed member for the MET community, the conference is funded to fuel its growth for five years.
The donation comes courtesy of Cynthia Cohen (MET)—vice chair of the Boston University Board of Trustees, distinguished Metropolitan College alum, member of the BU MET Dean’s Advisory Board, and founder and chief strategist of strategic consulting firm IMPACT 2040.
The $1 million in funding took effect with the fall 2024 session, which gathered students from BU and other regional universities, including MIT, Babson, and the University of New Hampshire. Whether students are interested in technology, business, social impact, or arts and culture, IDEA Con is an inspirational launch point that leads to practical lessons for bringing entrepreneurial dreams to reality.
“I know the power and the alchemy of bringing people together to share ideas and learn,” Cohen told Bostonia.
“For Cynthia to make this new gift really shows what kind of leader she is,” Innovate@BU Executive Director Siobhan Dullea said.
Read more in Bostonia.