Office Hours
Got questions?
Get advice from peers and professionals on how to take the next step. Topics include how to to “plug in” and get started at the Apex Center, next steps in building your company, and introductions to alumni-mentors.
About this program
Come sit down one-on-one with a fellow student (or schedule time with a real world professional) to answer your questions about all things entrepreneurship.
Office Hours are held in two ways:
- Peer-to-peer Office Hours with “student consultants” are held on-demand using automated calendar scheduling through StartupTree on a recurring basis. Scroll down to meet our Student Consultants and book a day/time that works for you!
- Office Hours with professionals such as experienced mentors, legal experts, intellectual property and business tax pros are available on Monday and Tuesday afternoons throughout the semester. Book upcoming office hours with these professionals using automated calendar scheduling through StartupTree.
Book a slot and come with questions!
Meet our Experts
Rida Ali
Startup Hokies Consultant
Rida is a junior at Virginia Tech studying Business Information Technology and a member of the VT Honors College. As a member of Collegiate Women in Busines, she’s highly motivated and experienced within the entrepreneurship ecosystem at Virginia Tech. Rida is always interested in meeting students who are actively running a business, as well as students who want to get their concepts off the ground.
Ask Rida about:
- Getting your idea out of your head and into real life
- Navigating the various programs and events offered by the Apex Center for Entrepreneurs
- How to use frameworks like Lean Canvas and Message Maps to organize your startup
Yairis Soto
Startup Hokies Consultant
Meet Yairis, a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience at the College of Science. She serves as the Vice-President of External for the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). With the ongoing growth of entrepreneurship at Virginia Tech, Yairis is eager to share her own experiences and engage with students who are ready to kick-start their ideas as well we those who have launched their startups.
Ask Yairis about:
- Ways to get involved at Apex and about its resources and programs
- How to get a start on your entrepreneurial journey or grow your business
- On campus networking opportunities and how to find other students to join your start-up
Ebenezer Zergabachew
Startup Hokies Consultant
Ebenezer is a Virginia Tech undergraduate student with a passion for entrepreneurship and technology. He is the current President of the VT Entrepreneurship Club and founder and CEO of College Cardz. As part of the team at the Apex Center, Ebenezer works 1-1 with student founders from the Startup Hokies Incubator program in developing their new ventures. He is zealous about fostering a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in Blacksburg.
Ask Ebenezer about:
- How the Apex Center can help you build and run your business
- What student organizations on campus have entrepreneurship & technology events
- Intros to other student founders who are successfully building a company while a full time student
Sean Collins
Interim Executive Director, Apex Center for Entrepreneurs
Sean’s diverse background includes stints at early-stage companies and operating roles in product development, technology, marketing and venture capital. As the Interim Executive Director of the Apex Center, Sean is responsible for ensuring the Center fulfills its mission to “inspire and empower students to put their passion, purpose and ideas into action.” In a former life Sean was co-owner of Viqtory, a talent acquisition marketplace company in PGH and previously flew fixed-wing aircraft for the Navy, operating out of every continent except Antartica. Note: Meeting with Sean is the initial access point for our network of alumni mentors
Ask Sean about:
- Milestones for developing your new venture
- Intros to alumni mentors with specialized expertise (industry, investment, etc)
- Intros to experts in legal, accounting, and other business support fields
