Ole Miss Alumni Encourage Student Entrepreneurs at Summit

Hosted Nov. 7 by the university's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the annual summit celebrates and enhances entrepreneurial initiatives undertaken by Ole Miss students from various disciplines.

More than 250 students gathered to hear from UM alumni Morgan Stanley, co-founder and president of BrainTrust, a collective of women business owners, and Tanner McCraney, co-founder of the Rumie App.

"Our annual REDe Summit is not just an event, it's a movement – a space where conversations spark change and where entrepreneurship is just not an ideal, but words that help shape our student's entrepreneurial mindset," said Clay Dibrell, CIE co-director. "It is such a pleasure to see Morgan Stanley and Tanner McCraney, our former students, return as successful entrepreneurs."

Stanley encouraged attendees to take advantage of the resources offered by the center.

"This next generation of entrepreneurs is driven, smart and ready to make an impact," she said. "It was inspiring to share my unconventional entrepreneurship journey and to hear from talented students with bold ideas and innovative businesses."

McCraney saw the event as an opportunity to give back to an organization that helped him establish his own business.

"When I was asked to speak at the REDe event by the CIE, I was very excited to speak at an event I once attended as a student," he said. "My goal was to let the students know that college is the best time to get experience trying new things and if there ever is a time to fail, it's now."

Stanley and McCraney also served as judges for the 2024 Servin' the South Business Model Competition later in the day.

"During the (Servin' the South) Business Model Competition, it was very rewarding to be on the other side of things and give feedback to students that I wish someone had once told me," McCraney said. "Ole Miss was very pivotal in my transformation from student to entrepreneur, and I was very excited for the opportunity to give back."

The event gives students opportunities to learn from and interact with successful entrepreneurs from similar backgrounds, said Rich Gentry, CIE co-director.

"The more time students can spend with mentors like Morgan and Tanner, the more they realize they too can succeed, a motivation that benefits the economy, the university and the country," he said.

Top: Morgan Stanley, co-founder and president of BrainTrust, shares her journey from Ole Miss student to successful entrepreneur with student entrepreneurs at the annual REDe Summit. Photo by Joe Worthem