Wharton Stories: Incubating Ideas

A small group of people dressed in formal attire posing on a staircase.
CarboWells is the recipient of this year’s Y-Prize competition, cosponsored by the Mack Institute for Innovation Management and Venture Lab in partnership with Penn Engineering and the Penn Center for Innovation. The team includes Wharton undergraduates Yash Iyer, W’29, and Bhuranyu Mahajan W’29.

CarboWells Wins 2026 Y-Prize

A woman looks off into the distance. The entire image is shown through a blue filter.
The 2021 New Venture Competition spotlighted a range of innovative student startups like Hairtelligence, co-founded by Isoken Igbinedion, WG’21.

Revolutionizing Hair Customization for Black Women

Landscape photo of buildings
Yan Wu, WG’14, says that Wharton’s classes, network, and innovative ecosystem helped him transition from Wall Street to cofounder.

How Wharton Helped this Alumnus Pivot from Financial Services to Entrepreneurship

Scientist fills beakers with liquid
Wharton Impact Venture Associates (WIVA) gives students real-world experience in impact investing.

Wharton Impact Venture Associates Research Blood-Testing Startup

Black Allbirds shoes
Joey Zwillinger, WG’10, joined his co-founder Tim Brown on the first episode of Zwillinger’s Wharton Business Radio show to discuss how Allbirds innovates while staying eco-friendly.

The Co-Founder of Allbirds Launches Podcast to Explore Mission-Driven Businesses

A black-and-white photo of a person on an indoor cycling bike
“I really wanted people to find this safe place, this safe workout, because it’s low-impact. People can come and take a class if they’re 17 years old or if they’re 82 years old.”

Why The Co-Founder of SoulCycle Restarted with a New Fitness Venture

Two Wharton banners are on a red carpet in front of a staircase. Students stand around and check-in at the two tables.
Students applied core concepts from their business courses to solve simulated challenges proposed by Vox Media during this immersive day-long competition.

Undergraduates Tackle Real Media Industry Challenges During This Year’s HuntsmanHacks

Prof. Rothbard in a black suit and standing with her hand raised in front of a crowd with a More Than Ever Banner behind her

The More Than Ever Tour Brings the Classroom Experience to Alumni

Yifan in a pink shirt gesturing his hands as he presents to a lecture hall
A nontraditional background has given Yifan Chen, WG’20, a unique perspective on why there’s real value in merging the worlds of tech and business.

Biology, Consulting, and Coding: How This MBA Found His Passion in Tech

Jillian in black with long blonde hair standing in profile as she speaks with students
“If you can’t distill and communicate the value props of your company succinctly, then you’re not going to be able to sell the product; if you can’t say it, you can’t sell it.”

Q&A with Investor Jillian Manus: How Student Entrepreneurs Can Overcome Failure and Find their Superpower