Jeff Cantalupo
As an entrepreneur and investor, Jeff Cantalupo has taken his passion for brand and helped entrepreneurs build theirs since founding Listen in 2010.
Through Listen, Jeff has invested in over 20 early-stage startup brands across 2 funds including consumer-tech breakouts Calm and Raise along with consumer product successes such as Angel's Envy (acquired by Bacardi).
He honed his craft at global ad agency, Leo Burnett, where he strategized, energized, and innovated some of the world's largest brands. Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors at Chicago based startup brands - Interior Define, Factor 75, Here Holdings and Codeverse.
Jeff is also active in the community serving as a Board Member for Ronald McDonald House Charities Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.
Startup Branding (ENTR-973-5)
There is a big difference between managing an existing brand and launching a new brand. In "Startup Branding," you will learn how to turn ideas into brands, with a specific focus on the importance of early branding decisions in new ventures and brand design execution with limited resources. The course is structured around a multi-week assignment in which student teams will design a new brand for a new venture. Course coverage includes brand strategy, brand design, the brand experience, launching the brand, and leading the brand. The course format is a blend of lecture, exercise, cross-team collaboration and ideation sessions, and guest speakers.
