Novella Center for Entrepreneurship, a nationally recognized organization supporting purpose-driven founders, hosts Conscious Venture Lab – Trenton Demo Day, a dynamic showcase celebrating local and regional entrepreneurs building businesses rooted in impact, innovation, and community wealth creation.
Trenton Demo Day is open to investors, entrepreneurs, students, policymakers, and community members interested in inclusive innovation and socially conscious entrepreneurship. The free event takes place Thursday, January 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/cohort1demoday.
Novella Center for Entrepreneurship offers the Conscious Venture Lab Accelerator Program in Trenton and Baltimore, where they have a longstanding history promoting the business principles of conscious capitalism and stakeholder theory since 2013. (See “Novella Center Launches Accelerator Program in Trenton,” U.S. 1, May 14, 2025.)
Conscious Venture Lab – Trenton Demo Day brings together entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem partners, and community members to hear live pitches from founders who have participated in Conscious Venture Lab Accelerator Program’s inaugural Trenton cohort. The featured ventures span industries such as technology, maternal health, social impact, and community-centered services, all with a shared commitment to creating positive economic and social outcomes.
“The venture capital and innovation industries have a structural blind spot that fails to recognize talent that doesn’t fit neatly into historic patterns. We are proud to uplift these amazing founders who are using business as a tool for good while strengthening the local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. We appreciate the partnerships we have built, especially with the City of Trenton and NJEDA and look forward to expanding our reach through future cohorts and dedicated partners,” said Jeff Cherry, CEO of Novella Center for Entrepreneurship.
The event includes founder presentations, networking opportunities, and conversations with leaders across the innovation and investment landscape. Attendees have the opportunity to connect directly with entrepreneurs and learn how to support the growth of impact-driven businesses in Trenton and beyond.
“As New Jersey’s Capital City, Trenton should also be a capital for innovation and opportunity,” said Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “Novella Center’s work demonstrates how intentional investment in entrepreneurs can build wealth locally, strengthen neighborhoods, and ensure that growth is shared. This first cohort is just the beginning.”
“Trenton Demo Day is about more than pitches, it’s about visibility, access, and opportunity,” said Jaime Colemnan, managing director of Conscious Venture Lab – Trenton. “Having Trenton and the greater community support our founders is pivotal to bringing more great ideas out of people, especially as we recruit for Cohort 2 which will begin later this year.”
For more information, contact, info@novellacenter.org.
