Start Here Mondays connects Penn students with Venture Lab staff for personalized guidance on programs, resources, and opportunities across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether you are exploring an idea, building a venture, looking to join a team, or simply curious about entrepreneurship, we’ll help you understand your options and identify a practical next step.
The Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship Alumni Achievement Award honors a Penn graduate who exemplifies entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and community building. This recognition celebrates alumni who not only lead boldly in their ventures but also give back—through mentorship, investment, or thought leadership—strengthening the Venture Lab ecosystem for future entrepreneurs. Recipients are chosen by the Venture Lab Advisory Board.
Our 2025 honoree is Tory Burch, C'88, Executive Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of Tory Burch LLC and Founder of the Tory Burch Foundation
Shalini Nag, PhD believes anyone with the drive to solve problems can be an entrepreneur and is building Venture Lab into the place where Penn students turn that drive into reality.
Start Here Mondays connects Penn students with Venture Lab staff for personalized guidance on programs, resources, and opportunities across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether you are exploring an idea, building a venture, looking to join a team, or simply curious about entrepreneurship, we’ll help you understand your options and identify a practical next step.
The Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship Alumni Achievement Award honors a Penn graduate who exemplifies entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and community building. This recognition celebrates alumni who not only lead boldly in their ventures but also give back—through mentorship, investment, or thought leadership—strengthening the Venture Lab ecosystem for future entrepreneurs. Recipients are chosen by the Venture Lab Advisory Board.
Our 2025 honoree is Tory Burch, C'88, Executive Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of Tory Burch LLC and Founder of the Tory Burch Foundation
Shalini Nag, PhD believes anyone with the drive to solve problems can be an entrepreneur and is building Venture Lab into the place where Penn students turn that drive into reality.
On Apr 22, 2025, Venture Lab’s Food Innovation Lab and ZenBroth (founded at the innovation Lab!) hosted a tasting and demo cooking session at Tangen Hall.
This event featured Chef Rachel, owner and founder of Miss Rachel’s Pantry, a vegan fine dining restaurant in South Philadelphia that is currently one of the hardest tables to get in the city.
Chef Rachel created a grazing table and a 3-course menu using ZenBroth's plant-based ZenVroth umami seasoning, Spring Toasts, Oyster Mushroom Tacos, and Banana Sticky Toffee Pudding!
Each dish came together in under 20 minutes, yet for the 50+ guests in the room, it sparked the same reaction: "How can plant-based food taste this good?"
Founded at Venture Lab’s Food Innovation Lab and grew through the Venture Initiation Program, Zenbroth makes premium umami seasonings with simple, whole food ingredients transforming everyday meals at home, work, and in the go effortlessly.
ZenBroth X Venture Lab's Food Innovation Lab Photo Gallery
