Â鶹ÊÓƵ

From competitive skateboarding to fostering an entrepreneurial community at CU Boulder, Lilah Greenberg’s path has been characterized by new challenges: whether through sports, design, or entrepreneurship. Now a freshman at CU Boulder, Lilah has embraced her role as an ambassador for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, where she helps foster innovation and connect students with valuable resources.Ìý

When choosing a college, CU Boulder stood out as the right fit, largely due to its outdoor culture. Drawn to snowboarding, skateboarding, and the mountain lifestyle, she felt an immediate connection to the campus. However, before beginning her undergraduate studies, she took a planned gap year and lived in Tel Aviv, where she was exposed to a thriving startup ecosystem. This experience gave her firsthand insight into entrepreneurship: how businesses can emerge from minimal resources and how innovation can be fostered through collaboration. She applied and was accepted into the Leeds School of Business, emphasizing management and entrepreneurship. Now, fully immersed in the program, she embraces the challenge and the opportunities it provides.

Finding CommunityÌý

Lilah’s introduction to the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship came through a friend who invited her to a prototyping workshop at theÌýIdea Forge. Seeing a dedicated space for innovation and creation sparked her interest, and she quickly realized the value of surrounding herself with like-minded individuals.

Despite learning about the Deming Ambassador Program just a day before the application deadline, she decided to apply, recognizing it as an opportunity to further immerse herself in the entrepreneurial world. She viewed the program as a way to refine her skills, expand her network, and gain practical experience that would support her business ambitions.

Lilah’s Role at the Deming Center

As a Deming Center for Entrepreneurship ambassador, Lilah plays a crucial role in increasing student engagement with the center’s resources and events. Her position is not just about promoting an open workspace or the perks like free food and occasional visits from dogs; it’s about cultivating a dynamic environment where students are surrounded by entrepreneurs working on ventures that could one day transform industries.

One of her primary responsibilities is ensuring that students are aware of the opportunities available to them. This includes signature events such as Startups & Sandwiches, speaker series, and social gatherings like the Valentine’s Day event she helped organize. Lilah and her fellow ambassadors aim to bridge the gap between casual involvement and serious entrepreneurial endeavors, showing students that they have the potential to develop ideas that could change their lives.

For Lilah, the most rewarding part of her role is the people she works with. She finds the Deming Center’s mission deeply inspiring, as it fosters an environment that encourages growth and forward momentum

Upcoming Initiatives: 60 Second Solutions and Shark Tank

Lilah is currently involved in planning two major upcoming events at the Deming Center:Ìý60 Second Solutions andÌýShark Tank.

60 Second Solutions is designed to engage students across all disciplines, not just business majors. The goal is to encourage creative problem-solving by presenting participants with open-ended challenges that require quick thinking. Taking place in the atrium, the event will feature food, prizes, and an interactive format where students have only a brief moment- while waiting in line-to generate a response to a problem prompt. There are no right or wrong answers; the event is meant to foster innovation and expand students’ confidence in their own problem-solving abilities.

TheÌýShark Tank event, a recurring favorite among students, is focused on those who may have business ideas and are looking for constructive feedback. Participants will pitch their ideas to a panel of "sharks," which will include Deming ambassadors, deming team, and experienced entrepreneurs. Unlike the high-stakes pitches seen on television, this event is meant to be low-pressure and encouraging, giving students a space to refine their concepts and receive guidance from professionals in the field.

Lilah is excited about both initiatives, recognizing their potential to engage a broad range of students: from those just beginning to think about entrepreneurship to those actively working on their own startups. Looking ahead, Lilah hopes to continue expanding the Deming Center’s presence and impact on campus. While maintaining the fun, social aspects of the program is important, she also envisions creating more structured opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, build teams, and gain mentorship. She wants the center to be a place where students know they can walk in with an idea and find immediate support to help bring it to life.

Small Steps Leading to Big Impact

For students interested in entrepreneurship but unsure where to start, Lilah emphasizes the importance of breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Rather than focusing on the daunting end result, she encourages students to identify the first actionable step and build momentum from there. Progress, even if not perfectly linear, is essential in moving forward.

Her role at the Deming Center has provided her with invaluable skills that will benefit her in future entrepreneurial ventures. Learning to collaborate effectively within a team, take responsibility, and strategically divide tasks has been instrumental in making projects successful. These experiences have strengthened her ability to navigate complex challenges and execute ideas efficiently.

When asked to define entrepreneurship in her own words, Lilah describes it as a mindset: one rooted in problem-solving regardless of background or available resources. It is not just about starting businesses but about developing the ability to adapt, innovate, and find solutions in any situation. For her, entrepreneurship is more than a discipline; it is a way of thinking that empowers individuals to create change.