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The Michael G. Weinert Entrepreneurship Lecture Series presents Alex Banayan, business author, venture capitalist and professional speaker, to talk at the College of Business October 26 at 12:30 p.m. in the Galloway Business Building, Landes Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

“I believe that Alex can light a fire in both faculty and students. He is the spark students need to encourage their entrepreneurship, creation and production,” said Kayce Stutzman, marketing coordinator for the College of Business.

An associate at venture capital firm Alsop Louie Partners by age 19, Banayan was reported by Fortune Magazine to be the world’s youngest venture capitalist, seen on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list and listed by Business Insider as one of the “Most Powerful People In Finance."

Banayan has traveled the globe presenting to corporate leadership teams such as Apple, Nike, IBM, Dell, MTV and Harvard as a keynote speaker.

“Alex has a passion for business and life that is contagious. He has proven that age is just a number and what really matters is determination and hard work,” said Stutzman.

Banayan has also contributed to publications such as The Washington Post, The Huffington Post and Entrepreneur and has been featured in major media including BusinessWeek, Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg TV, Fox News and CBS News.

Banayan is the third in a series of four speakers to present to the College of Business this semester. Previous speakers were Helen Sharkey, professional ethics speaker, and Chad Briggs, CEO of Air Liquide. Jennifer Warren, LU Alumnae and chief marketing officer of At Home, will present November 9.

“At ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ, we pride ourselves on being able to offer the students every opportunity that they would have at a larger university.  Our education extends beyond the classroom to professional and personal development,” said Stutzman.

The Michael G. Weinert Entrepreneurship Lecture Series is funded by an endowment established in 2011 by Michael Weinert, a decorated military officer with more than three decades of service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. Weinert, the recipient of two graduate degrees from LU, created the endowment to bring successful, high profile entrepreneurs to the university for lectures in entrepreneurship.