Spring Into Success: a Guide to Colgate’s Business and Entrepreneurship Organizations

A guide to the organizations and clubs that turn Colgate’s liberal arts foundation into meaningful business and career experience.

With the fall semester having come to an end, now is a great time to explore the spring business initiatives Colgate offers students. Come January, students can engage in organizations and activities that provide strong connections, hard skills, and experience to help translate Colgate’s liberal arts education into valuable business experience. Whether you plan to jump straight into finance or build your own business from scratch, Colgate offers many student-run organizations designed to help you achieve your goals in the business world.

Colgate Women in Business

If you are interested in a more general “business” career, Colgate Women in Business (CWIB) is an excellent option. CWIB aims to educate students about the business world and available opportunities, especially for women, through advice from Colgate students, alumni, and businesswomen. At the final meeting of the semester, alumni and prior executive board members of CWIB, including Louisa Thompson ‘25 at Rockefeller, Ayoung Lee ‘25 at Barclays, and Zoe Julien ‘24 at J.P. Morgan, provided insights on their roles and work environment. Beyond explaining their technical responsibilities, the alumni emphasized how Colgate’s liberal arts curriculum – like strong communication skills – was essential to their success. Through meetings like these, CWIB helps students explore different paths in the field of business. Look out for their monthly coffee hours featuring guest speakers, panels, and workshops.

Thought-Into-Action Idea Squad

For young entrepreneurs, the Thought Into Action (TIA) program gives students the ability to bring concepts to reality. Colgate’s beloved Flour & Salt Café is one of the most renowned TIA stories, founded by Britty O’Connor ’12. While applications to start a full TIA venture were due this past fall, students can still get involved by joining the Idea Squad, which is designed for those who are curious about innovation but may not yet have a fully formed idea. Through guided workshops led by Entrepreneur in Residence Jen Martin and upcoming Lead Peer Mentor Porter Comstock ‘26, members learn how to identify problems, develop business models, and communicate value in a collaborative, low-pressure environment. Members are also able to enroll their idea as a TIA venture the following academic year to gain access to up to $5,000 in grant funding, alumni mentors, and the opportunity to pitch at the Annual Entrepreneurial Showcase. Read more about the Idea Squad here!

Finance Clubs: 13 Oak Capital Society & CIG

While deadlines have passed for some finance-focused programs, including Scholars of Finance and the Budget Allocation Committee, the spring semester still offers abundant opportunities. At the start of the semester, the Student Involvement Fair takes place, where clubs like 13 Oak Capital Society and Colgate Investment Group (CIG) recruit new members. The 13 Oak Capital Society provides students with a structured entry point into the finance industry, exposing students to both the buy and sell sides. Members develop technical and analytical skills through investment analysis, stock pitch competitions, and market research. These skills provide a strong foundation for future careers in asset management, investment banking, and private equity. Notably, the society leverages Colgate’s strong finance alumni network by creating a platform for alumni to share their career experiences and guidance with current students. Through this engagement, the club educates members on the importance of networking and teaches them how to build meaningful relationships that support long-term career growth. In addition, CIG is a student-run fund that invests in large-cap equities, with a portion of returns supporting Colgate’s Financial Aid. Similar to 13 Oak Society, members of CIG develop essential skills in valuation, corporate finance, and stock pitching through hands-on portfolio management. These organizations provide a meaningful way to strengthen technical and networking skills needed to thrive in the finance industry. 

These are just some of the organizations on campus that equip students with skills to succeed in the corporate world. Colgate provides many other opportunities that can help students develop the soft skills needed to excel in interviews, stand out in cover letters, or become a more well-rounded candidate for jobs post-grad. Visiting getinvolved.colgate.edu or keeping updated with the Colgate Business Review can help you browse through and connect with Colgate’s many well-established organizations. For example, the Colgate Speaking Union and Maroon News help students build confidence in speaking and writing, skills that translate directly into stronger communication, leadership, and professional effectiveness in the workplace. No matter what you decide to get involved in, you can learn important skills that you can carry with you into the business world!