Spin Master Chairman Tours Universities to Fund Startups

Ronnen Harary is visiting campuses across the U.S. to offer student entrepreneurs direct grants and mentorship.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Financial Aid

Spin Master Chairman Tours Universities to Fund Startups

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Do you believe university-based entrepreneurship programs effectively prepare students for the modern workforce?

Ronnen Harary, the co-founder and chairman of Spin Master, is conducting the No Experience Necessary tour to hear student startup pitches at 13 universities. During the visits, he provides $500 grants to select students who then have one week to compete for a $25,000 prize.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to foster student innovation by providing immediate financial support and a fast-track competition opportunity for budding entrepreneurs. The tour bridges the gap between academic concepts and real-world business development through hands-on mentorship.

Harary has already distributed over $55,000 in $500 grants to student participants across the country. There are 10 grand prizes of $25,000 available for students who demonstrate the most progress within a 7-day period.

The players

Ronnen Harary

He is the co-founder and chairman of Spin Master, a leading global children's entertainment company known for brands like PAW Patrol.

The details

Operating out of a customized Airstream trailer, Harary evaluates student business ideas during campus visits at institutions including RISD, MSU, and NC State. He also recently engaged with academic innovation hubs, such as a visit to the Fashion Institute of Technology Toy Lab.

October 2026: Tour visits are ongoing across 13 university campuses.
Late October 2026: Harary is scheduled to speak at the University of Southern California.

Culture Shift

This tour follows the pattern set by university-based startup accelerators by providing direct capital to early-stage student founders. It reflects a broader shift toward corporate entities embedding themselves directly into campus ecosystems to identify and cultivate new talent.

Students at participating universities receive immediate access to professional feedback and startup funding that can jumpstart their business goals. Recipients must be prepared to demonstrate significant progress on their ventures within just one week to qualify for the larger $25,000 prize.

The takeaway

Student entrepreneurs should focus on clear, scalable ideas that can show measurable progress in a very short timeframe. Preparation and a defined elevator pitch are essential when engaging with high-level industry mentors on campus.