Impact Innovation Hub: Where Big Ideas Become Sustainable Change

Innovation at Drexel University is found in the entrepreneurship mindset applied to the creation of meaningful, sustainable change. At the heart of this philosophy is The Impact Innovation Hub (IIH), a program at The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship dedicated to nurturing the next generation of social entrepreneurs.

Innovation with Purpose

The IIH is Drexel’s launchpad for students who are passionate about solving the world’s most critical problems. The program empowers undergraduate and graduate student entrepreneurs to develop market-based solutions that tackle important social and environmental issues. Its mission is directly tied to a global framework: all ventures are aligned with the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that student projects contribute to a universal call to action. The IIH provides the guidance and resources necessary for student ideas to evolve from concepts into viable, sustainable, market-driven ventures.

Empowering the Drexel Community

The Impact Innovation Hub offers a robust, structured experience designed to profoundly impact the skills and future of its participants, cementing Drexel’s commitment to experiential learning.

Participants selected for the annual cohort program receive:

• Impact Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp: Six months of guided instructions through weekly seminars and hands-on workshops led by faculty, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and industry experts.
• Seed Funding: Each student or team receives $3,000 in seed money, disbursed over the course of the program, to fuel the development of their venture.
• Access to Resources: Cohort members gain flex spaces and access to all of the resources of the Baiada Institute, including a dedicated workspace, entrepreneurial community, and expert advice.
• Global Opportunity: Participants are automatically entered into the Hult Prize Regional Competition, the world’s largest social entrepreneurship competition for college students, which offers a grand prize of $1 million.

By providing targeted mentorship, practical skills training, and essential funding, the IIH helps participants develop their entrepreneurial mindsets, build strategic partnerships, and strengthen their ability to lead innovative solutions across industries.

Meet the New Cohort of Impact Innovators

A new group of innovators has been welcomed into The Impact Innovation Hub. These inspiring students represent the brightest minds in social innovation at Drexel. They have demonstrated a commitment to purpose-driven business, bringing forward creative solutions that address the social and environmental challenges they are passionate about.

Donielle Blount
MS, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 2026

Donielle is the founder of EmpowerSafe, a personal safety device that provides real-time information about potential dangers. This allows users to make informed decisions and proactively protect their personal safety.

Allison Choong
BA, Sociology and BS, Criminology & Justice Studies, 2028

Allison is the author of “Safiya Speaks Up,” a children’s book that teaches young girls how to recognize and respond to gender-based violence. Her work supports the mental, emotional, and physical safety of children through early education.

Faris Dabaneh
BS, Electrical & Computer Engineering, 2029

Faris is building Vocalis, an innovative app designed to help users reduce social anxiety and build self-confidence. The app provides real-time feedback on vocal patterns and stress levels, and offers incremental social challenges to increase social exposure.

Dibora Tito
MS, Biomedical Engineering, 2026

Dibora is developing a groundbreaking new medical device for a non-invasive bone density test. This technology aims to aid in the early detection of osteoporosis and other bone density issues.

Greeva Yava
BS, Computer Science, 2029

Greeva is the creator of GreenPrompts, a Chrome extension that measures the amount of energy expended when using AI. Her innovation promotes environmental awareness and helps users understand the ecological impact of their digital activities.

Parth Vaswani
BS, Computing & Security Technology, 2029

Parth is developing SafeSpace, an app designed for clinicians to improve patient outcomes in the mental health space. His app will provide tools that help professionals better serve their patients and deliver more effective care.

Congratulations to the newest Impact Innovation Hub cohort; we look forward to watching these ventures grow!

Have an idea that would make a difference in the world? Look out for the 2026 applications during spring term.