Spin Master Co-Founder Hears Pitches at MSU
Ronnen Harary visited the East Lansing campus to offer students funding and mentorship for their business ideas.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Startups
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Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary stopped at Michigan State University to hear one-minute pitches from students. Selected participants were awarded $500 to jumpstart their business concepts.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to connect with young entrepreneurs by providing immediate capital and long-term mentorship. This tour across North America serves to discover and invest in emerging business talent.
Students had exactly one minute to pitch ideas, with selected winners receiving $500 and one week to deploy the funds. Ten finalists will eventually receive $25,000 and five hours of professional mentorship.
The players
Ronnen Harary
He is the co-founder of Spin Master, a global toy and entertainment company known for brands like PAW Patrol.
Michigan State University
It is a public research university located in East Lansing that served as the fourth stop on the national tour.
The details
Students presented their business proposals to Harary inside an Airstream trailer stationed on campus. Participants who received the initial grant must submit their receipts and a full pitch after one week to remain eligible for the final competition.
Timeline
Ronnen Harary visited the MSU campus on October 20, 2026.
The broader campus tour spans a duration of six weeks.
Market Landscape
This tour mirrors the surge in collegiate startup accelerator programs by prioritizing direct engagement with student founders. By embedding funding and mentorship into campus visits, the initiative positions itself to capture early-stage innovation before it hits the broader market.
Students at the university who pitched their ideas gained immediate access to seed funding and a pathway to professional mentorship. This program removes typical financial barriers for student entrepreneurs, allowing them to test their business models with real capital.
The takeaway
Engaging directly with industry leaders provides students with rare access to capital and professional guidance. Aspiring entrepreneurs should be prepared to condense their business value propositions into short, high-impact elevator pitches.
What happens next
Ten finalists will be selected to participate in a live competition for a $25,000 prize and five hours of mentorship.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of venture funding, explore our latest Startups coverage.
More information
Find full details regarding eligibility and program rules on the student business challenge website.
Live Poll
Do you believe business leaders should provide direct funding to help local students start new businesses?
