Alyssa Rapp Leads GNVC at Chicago Booth

Alyssa Rapp has been named faculty head of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation's Global New Venture Challenge (GNVC) at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

This program, developed for Executive MBA students all around the world, is critical in fostering entrepreneurship and creativity. Alyssa has a lot of expertise, having spent the last three years as an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.

Alyssa will lead the GNVC, taking businesses through a one-week intense classroom program. These entrepreneurs use this space to develop and revise company models, work with professional and legal mentors, and pitch to judges and investors. She will also be crucial in finding the program's trainers, judges, panelists, investors, sponsors, and guest speakers.

Alyssa emphasized the importance of the GNVC in assisting entrepreneurs de-risk their path. "It allows each of these startups to think through their business plans, get feedback and insights from experts who have done it all before, and evolve their business to be more competitive," she said. It models everything an entrepreneur goes through in a low-risk, high-impact setting."

Alyssa, a seasoned business executive, is the CEO of Healthwell Acquisition Corporation, a special-purpose acquisition firm. She has held positions as CEO of Surgical Solutions, managing partner of AJR Ventures, and founder and CEO of Bottlenotes. She has won various honors, including being named one of Inc. Magazine's "30 Under 30 Coolest Entrepreneurs in America" and being designated one of the wine industry's "100 Most Influential People."

The Chicago Booth community greeted her appointment with excitement. Alyssa’s considerable entrepreneurial experience, according to Steven Kaplan, Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance at the Polsky Center, makes her "the best person for this role."

Alyssa’s significant educational experience, which includes teaching a course on Women as Investors, Directors, CEOs, and Executives, makes her an important member of the GNVC. Starr Marcello, Booth's Deputy Dean, expressed delight at having Alyssa on board and feels her knowledge will assist Booth's businesses.

In its 17th year, the GNVC brings together alumni and business professionals as coaches, judges, panelists, and guest speakers to foster development and learning for the entrepreneurs admitted into the program. Alyssa’s leadership promises to enhance this prestigious curriculum, laying the groundwork for the next generation of great entrepreneurs.

Yarra, last year's winner, praised the GNVC for its transforming influence as well as the support of coaches, mentors, instructors, and the Booth community, reflecting the feelings of numerous entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the program.