Meet our eLab Summer Associates

Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about starting a company - it’s a mindset that focuses on innovative problem-solving, a commitment to community engagement, and an openness to see things from new perspectives.

While our five teams of student entrepreneurs are building, honing, and demoing their startup ventures in our eLab Summer Accelerator Program, two student entrepreneurial associates will be supporting the teams as they work through the summer to build impactful solutions.

Will Beesley and Patrick Chen will sit side-by-side with our teams at the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub to help foster a collaborative environment, serve as a conduit between the teams, plan professional development opportunities and fun social events, and assist in the execution of the end of program Demo Days.

Beesley heard about the eLab through his teammates on the Princeton Football team. Last year, a few of his friends participated in the Accelerator and developed VICI, a software platform that helps high school athletes connect to elite trainers to help them reach their full potential. He saw the benefits of the eLab program and wanted to be part of it but hasn’t yet decided on an idea he would like to pursue.  

Beesley feels that his role as an associate will give him a unique opportunity, “I think seeing how ventures from different industries develop will be a great learning experience. Sitting in on the amazing professional workshops offered in the eLab will help me grow as an entrepreneur.”

This summer, he will work closely with another team full of gridiron Tigers, Eval. Their mission is to give eSports athletes easy access to college scholarships and collegiate gaming opportunities.

Chen is also interested in seeing the process of venture development from the inside. He hopes that creating a comfortable, supportive environment for the teams to work in will help them through the challenges they will ultimately face as they develop their ventures. Chen also hopes this experience will inform his own entrepreneurial aspirations and give him a better understanding of the drivers of startup success.

“Startups are often at the heart of innovation, and I would love to continue working closely with entrepreneurs on their dreams, whether as a founder, investor, or in some other role,” said Chen.