Office Hours
Working on a new venture and have questions? Get advice from peers and professionals on how to take the next step. Areas of expertise include how to to “plug in” and get started at the Apex Center, next steps in building your company, and introductions to alumni-mentors.
About this program
Office Hours put students in a room one-on-one with peers or professionals to answer your questions about starting a new venture.
Office Hours are held on-demand using automated calendar scheduling through StartupTree. Students book a slot and come with questions.
Meet our Experts
Benjamin Butler
Marketing Consultant – Startup Hokies
Ben is a junior majoring in Business Information Technology (BIT) with minors in Data and Decisions and Digital Marketing Strategy in the Pamplin College of Business. In his role as a Startup Hokies Consultant, Ben works with student startup teams on product messaging and copy writing. He currently serves as an undergraduate data science researcher and as an Advising Ambassador for Virginia Tech Academic Advising Initiatives.
Ask Ben about:
- Marketing Messaging (Features & Benefits)
- Digital Marketing Strategies
Jonathan Kebede
Startup Hokies Ambassador
Jonathan is a sophomore majoring in Finance in the Pamplin College of Business. He has been a Junior Analyst at Commodity Investing by Students (COINS), where his role is to assist in investing up to $1M on behalf of the Virginia Tech Foundation for the nation’s only student-run commodity trading group diversified in futures-based ETFs, ETNs, and covered call options since 2020. In his role as a Startup Hokies consultant, Jonathan works with students to help get started on their entrepreneurship journey with the Apex Center. He also currently serves as a Student Ambassador for The Morning Brew newsletter.
Ask Jonathan about:
- Getting Started with the Apex Center
- Plugging into the Startup Hokies Community
- Creating a new profile in Startup Tree
Autumn Canfield
RSO Outreach Consultant
Autumn is a junior majoring in Finance in the Pamplin College of Business. In her role as a Startup Hokies Consultant, she works with Registered Student Organizations like Collegiate Women in Business, Venture Capital Club, and Blockchain Club to coordinate joint programming.
Ask Autumn about:
- Starup Hokies programs
- Where to get involved
Christopher Nguyen
Data Consultant
Christopher is a senior majoring in Business Information Technology (BIT) in the Pamplin College of Business. In his role as a Startup Hokies Consultant, he works with student founders on competitor (market) analysis and data analytics.
Ask Christopher about:
- Data Analytics
- Database Management
Robert Lalayan
General Consultant
Robert is a junior majoring in Business Administration and Management in the Pamplin College of Business. In his role as a Startup Hokies Consultant, he works with student founders to connect with Apex Center programs and resources.
Ask Robert about:
- Programs
- Funding opportunities