Announcing the Launch and Finalists of the Narwhal Tank: Pioneering Impact and Innovation at Parsons School of Design
With great enthusiasm, Parsons School of Design’s Entrepreneurs Lab and The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative are set to launch the highly anticipated Narwhal Tank.This innovative and impactful venture pitching event marks a monumental moment for The New School’s ecosystem. Featuring groundbreaking ventures from both students and alumni, the Narwhal Tank promises to shine a spotlight on organizations that are actively tackling some of the most urgent social and environmental challenges of our time.
The event draws its inspiration from traditional pitch nights, but with a major twist. Instead of focusing solely on financial profit, Narwhal Tank celebrates ventures that seamlessly blend social impact and financial sustainability. The objective is to showcase mission-driven systems change that seeks to foster positive social, economic, and environmental transformation.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a community member, or a supporter of social change, this event will offer a unique opportunity to witness the birth of groundbreaking ventures that aim to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.
Interested in attending? Click here to RSVP!
What is Narwhal Tank? A New Kind of Pitching Event
The Concept Behind Narwhal Tank
At its core, Narwhal Tank is about much more than business. It’s a competition that seeks to encourage and elevate ventures that strike a balance between financial viability and social responsibility. In today’s world, the dichotomy between profit and purpose is often seen as a false one. Narwhal Tank pushes back against this narrative, emphasizing that it’s possible—and essential—for ventures to generate sustainable profits while also addressing the global challenges we face, from climate change to social inequality.
The event is a direct response to the changing landscape of entrepreneurship, where stakeholders, especially millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly focused on businesses that make a positive difference. This competition invites teams that are eager to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible when innovation is fueled by a sense of purpose.
The Narwhal Tank Impact Venture Competition
The Narwhal Tank Impact Venture Competition serves as the pinnacle of this event. Teams of passionate entrepreneurs from across The New School’s ecosystem will step forward to pitch ventures that deliver tangible impact. The event will be held during the Parsons Festival 2025 and will take place in the iconic Old Tishman Auditorium on April 24th. Click here to RSVP.
This competition isn’t just about having a great idea; it’s about demonstrating how these ideas can translate into real-world impact. Each pitch will need to showcase not only the environmental and social impact of the venture but also a clear financial strategy that ensures the venture’s long-term viability.
Teams competing in the Narwhal Tank must demonstrate their action-oriented mindset, illustrating how their ventures are shaping change in their communities and beyond.
Organizers: The Driving Forces Behind Narwhal Tank
Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab)
The Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab) is at the heart of this event. Established in 2014, ELab is dedicated to supporting design-led research and innovation. It is a co-/post-curricular experience that empowers The New School’s students and recent alumni to build ventures with the potential to create a more just and verdant society.
Through its entrepreneurial education, events, and support mechanisms, ELab helps nurture the next generation of social innovators. The Narwhal Tank is a natural extension of the lab’s mission, offering a platform for students and alumni to bring their impactful ideas to life.
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI)
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) also plays a crucial role in Narwhal Tank. IEI focuses on reshaping how organizations are formed by emphasizing generative values over extractive ones. Their mission is to help entrepreneurs design solutions that prioritize care, respect, and community.
This unique fellowship program brings together a cohort of graduate students and entrepreneurs who are committed to inclusive design and social innovation. By fostering collaboration and challenging traditional norms, IEI is at the forefront of nurturing entrepreneurial leaders who are not afraid to tackle the world’s toughest problems.
What to Expect at Narwhal Tank: A Day of Innovation and Collaboration
Live Pitches: The Heart of the Event
The main event of Narwhal Tank is the live pitch session. Selected teams will take the stage at the Old Tishman Auditorium, presenting their ventures to an audience filled with industry experts, mentors, faculty, and peers. These pitches will offer an exciting glimpse into the future of impact-driven entrepreneurship.
Each team will have a set amount of time to present their vision for change, detailing how their venture addresses social and environmental issues while also ensuring financial sustainability. The audience will be on the edge of their seats, eager to hear how these bold, action-oriented entrepreneurs plan to make their mark on the world.
Expert Feedback and Mentorship
One of the most valuable aspects of Narwhal Tank is the expert panel of mentors and industry professionals. These individuals bring years of experience in social impact, business, and innovation, and they will offer constructive feedback to each team after their pitch.
The insights shared by these experts will be invaluable, helping the entrepreneurs refine their strategies and better understand the opportunities and challenges they face as they work toward scaling their ventures.
Audience Feedback and Voting
Narwhal Tank is a true community-driven event, and audience participation is a key element. After each pitch, attendees will have the opportunity to offer feedback, provide suggestions, and vote for the venture that they believe is “Most Likely to Create Impact.”
This aspect of the event ensures that the audience plays an active role in the success of these ventures, helping to validate their ideas and propel them forward in their journey to creating meaningful change.
Networking and Collaboration Opportunities
Beyond the pitches, Narwhal Tank offers ample opportunities for networking and collaboration. Entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and attendees will have the chance to connect, share ideas, and forge relationships that could lead to future partnerships or collaborations. This collaborative environment is crucial for fostering long-term change and impact.
The Finalists: Meet the Visionaries Behind the Ventures
While the event is still ahead, the excitement surrounding the finalists of the Narwhal Tank is already building. These passionate entrepreneurs represent the future of impact-driven innovation. Each finalist brings a unique perspective and vision for how to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
As we await the big day, it’s clear that the Narwhal Tank is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of creativity, ambition, and purpose. The finalists, who will soon take the stage to pitch their ventures, are a testament to the bold new wave of entrepreneurs who are ready to change the world.
Eileen Level:
Eileen Level is the Founder and creative force behind PaleFO Cinema. Level is a high energy media professional experienced in introducing emotionally connecting films tocross-cultural audiences. PaleFO Cinema leverages the moviegoing experience as a conduit to encourage positive recreations for high-risk youth in marginalized communities, while combating the lack of movie theaters in historically disenfranchised neighborhoods.
Maitree Dedhia:
I am Maitree Dedhia, a graduate student studying Strategic Design and Management, and I am passionate about creating user-centered, data-driven solutions that drive business impact.
Trebirth is an Agri-Tech startup focused on combating stem borer pest infestations using advanced technological interventions, enabling farmers to detect pests early and minimize tree and crop damage.
Karla Prieto Prado:
Karla Prieto is an arts & Entertainment business consultant, actress and creative producer. Nine years of experience in the arts and corporate sector. Founder of Qarte Consultoría, an organization that promotes the creative industries in LATAM.
Gestión-Arte Bootcamp focuses on empowering Peruvian and LATAM performing artists providing management know-how through online workshops and networking events with NYC’s industry experts.
Finn Mott:
Finn Mott—named a top ten entrepreneur changing the future by San Francisco Weekly, is a writer, entrepreneur, and advocate for trauma-informed storytelling, exploring the intersections of creativity, mental health, and ethical business. He is developing Glint, a dynamic venture that offers curated notebooks, retreats, workshops, and community-driven initiatives to empower storytellers and foster healing through writing.
Antonia Simon:
Antonia is a systems designer passionate about creating a greater balance between nature and technology within our urban ecosystems.
Second is a library of refurbished technology seeks to bridge the digital divide by offering communities access to rentals, refurbishing, and recycling — fostering a more collective, circular approach to technology consumption.
Sylvestre Corti Maderna:
Sylvestre Corti Maderna is an entrepreneur, designer, and strategist passionate about innovation at the intersection of business, culture, and technology, currently leading MATEÏ, a yerba mate startup redefining social drinking.
MATEÏ is pioneering a new category in the beverage industry by bringing yerba mate to the mainstream through premium RTD cocktails and experiential retail, blending tradition with modern consumer trends and life-centered design.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Narwhal Tank
1. What is Narwhal Tank?
Narwhal Tank is a pitch competition that showcases innovative, mission-driven ventures from The New School’s students and alumni. The event focuses on ventures that seek to create positive social and environmental change while also maintaining financial sustainability.
2. Who is participating in Narwhal Tank?
The competition is open to students and alumni of The New School who are working on ventures that align with the values of social impact, environmental sustainability, and financial viability.
3. What is the goal of Narwhal Tank?
The goal is to highlight ventures that tackle urgent global challenges in ways that create lasting change. The competition encourages entrepreneurs to balance social impact and financial success.
4. How can I get involved?
Whether as an entrepreneur, mentor, or attendee, there are numerous ways to get involved. Entrepreneurs can submit their ventures for consideration, while others can attend the event to support and network. Click here to RSVP.
5. When and where will the event take place?
Narwhal Tank will be held during the Parsons Festival 2025 at the Old Tishman Auditorium at the New School (rsvp to receive a reminder and the address), offering a chance for the community to come together and celebrate innovation.
Conclusion: Supporting the Next Generation of Social Innovators
The Narwhal Tank is set to be a groundbreaking event that highlights the creativity, passion, and purpose of The New School’s most innovative entrepreneurs. By combining mission-driven ventures with financial sustainability, this event redefines what it means to be an entrepreneur in the 21st century.
As we look forward to the exciting pitches and innovations that will unfold, it’s clear that the Narwhal Tank isn’t just a competition—it’s the beginning of something much bigger. It’s a movement toward a future where businesses and social good go hand in hand, and where entrepreneurs are empowered to create a world that works for everyone.
Join us at Narwhal Tank and be part of the change!