by Rachel Ward, Student Public Relations Writer
Christian investors are linking arms with Christian entrepreneurs — and they are looking for others to join their mission. On Friday, Sept. 26, will host the Pitch, designed to pair Christian accredited investors with Christian entrepreneurs. The event, located in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center, aims to foster faith-driven investment and innovation.
In coordination with the Pitch, a special networking reception with Beyond Angels investors and entrepreneurs will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 4-6 p.m. Gen. Ed Wilson, Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, will speak at 7 p.m. He will address "Leadership in a Dynamic Digital World." The lecture is also part of Cedarville’s CU Lead program. Founded at Cedarville University in 2019, Beyond Angels quickly expanded into a national nonprofit organization. The Beyond Angels Pitch takes place four times a year in locations across the U.S., and for the Cedarville event, three companies will be selected to present their startups to accredited investors.
Currently, five Cedarville students intern with Beyond Angels. Alyse Zuiderveen, a senior finance major from Bettendorf, Iowa, is an intern currently serving as a venture capital analyst.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in my finance classes in a real-world setting,” said Zuiderveen. “It's helped me gain a holistic understanding of finance.”
Zuiderveen worked at Morgan Stanley and Tri-City Electric Company as a student. Both companies noted her experience at Beyond Angels as a deciding factor in their decision to hire her.
“In every interview I've had since starting at Beyond Angels, my experience there has been mentioned,” said Zuiderveen. Dr. Jeffrey Haymond, dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, said he created student opportunities like The Pitch after recognizing the potential of the student body.
"A single business school could put leaders in every industry,” said Haymond.
Those leaders, he added, leave a mark on their communities.
“Communities come to businesses because they have the resources,’” said Haymond. “I tell my students, ‘If you’re a business owner, it's going to be your name on the back of the Little League jersey.’”
The Beyond Angels Pitch will take place on Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. in the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, and guests may attend virtually or in person. Registration is available online .
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at .