Spin Master Founder Hosts Pitch Event at Brandeis

Ronnen Harary visited the Waltham campus to evaluate student business pitches inside a mobile trailer.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Internships

Spin Master Founder Hosts Pitch Event at Brandeis

Live Poll

Is college the right time to start a business, or should students focus on their studies?

Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary brought his six-week college tour to Brandeis University on Oct. 16, 2026. The entrepreneur hosted a pitch competition where students presented business ideas for a chance to win funding.

Why it matters

Harary seeks to provide students with a testing ground for business concepts by utilizing college campuses as concentrated environments for collaboration. The competition requires winners to utilize awarded funds within seven days to force participants into immediate execution mode.

Spin Master operates with more than 3,000 employees across 28 global offices. The company, which produces brands like PAW Patrol and Bakugan, was founded by Harary when he was 23 years old.

The players

Ronnen Harary

He is the co-founder of the global toy and entertainment company Spin Master.

Brandeis University

It is a private research university located in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Debbie Bergman

She is an individual who discussed the event with the campus publication, The Justice.

Spin Master

This is a global children's entertainment company that produces toys, games, and media franchises.

The details

During the event, students pitched their projects to Harary while inside an Airstream trailer. Harary provided feedback and direct questions to participants as part of his book tour for 'No Experience Necessary,' which outlines 11 principles for entrepreneurs.

Timeline

  1. 1994: Ronnen Harary co-founded Spin Master.

  2. Oct. 15, 2026: Debbie Bergman interviewed with The Justice.

  3. Oct. 16, 2026: Ronnen Harary visited Brandeis University.

Market Landscape

The event aligns with the experiential learning model in higher education, where industry leaders offer direct engagement to foster student entrepreneurship. This approach positions established corporations like Spin Master to identify emerging talent while reinforcing brand presence in a competitive market.

Students who secured funding must navigate strict deadlines to move from the concept phase to active project execution within a single week. The visit serves as a professional development opportunity for attendees interested in the logistics of scaling a startup.

The takeaway

Entrepreneurs are increasingly using college tours to test concepts in condensed timeframes rather than traditional classroom settings. Students looking to participate in similar events should be prepared to pitch their business viability and execution plans on short notice.

Further reading

For more information on student-led business opportunities, visit the Internships section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Justice.

Live Poll

Is college the right time to start a business, or should students focus on their studies?