York CI is Connecticut's only state women's facility and we have launched our 6th cohort! Join us for our Business Pitch Competition & Graduation on September 10th!

What’s it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

• Time: 8:45 am - 4:00 pm ET

• Location: York Correctional Institution - Niantic, CT

• Transportation: The prison is 114 miles and approximately 2 hrs 20 min from NYC

  • Defy Bus - Departing from Midtown, NYC @ 6:15 am

  • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 8:45 am

Registration for this event is closed.

Please join us on Thursday at 9:00 am ET for the Defy Tri-State Business Coaching Day at the Otisville Correctional Facility!

What's it all about? 

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy's CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills, and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs' resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey. 

Please reach out to Jeanette ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025

• Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ET

• Location: Otisville Correctional Facility - Otisville, NY

• Transportation: The prison is 80 miles and approximately 1 hrs 30 min from Midtown Manhattan

  • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 9 am

  • Defy Bus - Leaves from Midtown NYC

This event is now full. Save the date for the next event at Otisville on June 18!

York CI is Connecticut's only women's facility and we have launched our 5th cohort! Join us for our Business Pitch Competition on September 11th!

What’s it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Details

• Date: Wednesday, September 11, 2024

• Time: 8:45 am - 4:30 pm ET

• Location: York Correctional Institution - Niantic, CT

• Transportation: The prison is 114 miles and approximately 2 hrs 20 min from NYC

  • Defy Bus - Departing from Midtown, NYC @ 6:15 am

  • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 8:45 am

This event is full. Email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about Defy Tri-State’s events.

Please join us on Wednesday, May 29, at 9:00 am ET for the Defy Tri-State Business Coaching Day at York Correctional Institution, a women’s facility, in Connecticut!

What's it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious EITs who are progressing through Defy's CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills, and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs' resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey. 

Please reach out to Jeanette ([email protected]) with any questions, and we'll see you soon!

Details

• Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

• Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ET

• Location: York Correctional Institution - Niantic, CT

• Transportation: The prison is 114 miles and approximately 2 hrs 20 min from NYC

  • Defy Bus - Departing from Midtown, NYC @ 6:15 am

  • Drive Self - Arrive at Prison @ 9 am

This event is at capacity and registration has been closed.

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Details

• Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2024

• Start Time: 12:00 pm ET *Arrival Time: 11:30am

• End time: 5:00 pm ET

• Location: NJ Training School

• Transportation: Drive Self/Carpool (approximately 1 hour drive from NYC)

*The deadline to sign up for this event has passed.

Wallkill is a men’s facility in upstate NY. Join us for our Business Pitch Competition and Graduation on December 13th!

What’s it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Registration for this event has closed.

York CI is Connecticut's only women's facility and we have launched our 4th cohort! Join us for our Business Pitch Competition on October 18th!

What’s it all about?

Business pitch competition and graduations are the culminating events for EITs as they complete Defy’s rigorous CEO YNL program. During these events, EITs present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of volunteer judges. Judges ask clarifying questions, provide feedback to strengthen the business concepts and pitches, and evaluate the overall presentations with their fellow judges to select competition winners. The event also includes icebreaker and empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap and gown graduation ceremony in which EITs are awarded a Certificate of Entrepreneurship issued by the Drucker School of Management.

Recruitment for this event is closed.

Wallkill CF is an upstate, NY men’s facility located in Wallkill, New York. Join us for the Business Coaching Day on September 20th!

What’s it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Recruitment for this event has closed.

Save the Date: December 13th - Business Pitch Competition & Graduation at Wallkill Correctional Facility. Email [email protected] if you would like to be added to the invite list.

NJ Training School is a youth facility under the Juvenile Justice Commission and in January we launched our 1st cohort! Join us for our Business Coaching Day on July 25th!

What’s it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Details:

Location: New Jersey Training School - Monroe Township, NJ

Event Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Facility Arrival Time: 12:30 PM

This event is currently filled up. If you want to learn more about future events, please email [email protected].

York CI is Connecticut's only women's facility and we have launched our 4th cohort! Join us for our Business Coaching Day on July 12th!

What’s it all about?

At Defy business coaching events, volunteers support the talented, ambitious Entrepreneurs in Training (EITs) who are progressing through Defy’s CEO of Your New Life program, developing employment readiness skills and taking the first steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. Volunteers provide one-on-one coaching on EITs’ resumes and personal statements and serve as early sounding boards for the business concepts that EITs are beginning to develop. In addition to career coaching and business planning activities, these events also include fun icebreakers and powerful empathy-building activities, which encourage conversations and connections that enhance EITs' self-esteem, ambition, and sense of hope that is critical to their transformational journey.

Details:

Location: York Correctional Institution - Niantic, CT

Event Time: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Facility Arrival Time: 9:00 AM

Transportation: Defy bus leaving from NYC at 6:15am or you may drive yourself to the facility

This event is currently filled up. If you want to learn more about future events, please email [email protected].

Event Description: This is a Business Coaching Day for Defy's 9th cohort at Wallkill Correctional Facility. Volunteers will engage in powerful empathy building activities designed to create an inclusive and accepting community and then meet with EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) for small group coaching sessions. The coaching sessions will focus on business ideation, feedback on personal statements and reentry plans, and resume review. 

This event will be rescheduled due to COVID-19 regulations.

Event Description: This is a Business Coaching Day for Defy's 3rd cohort at York Correctional Institution. Volunteers will engage in powerful empathy building activities designed to create an inclusive and accepting community and then meet with EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) for small group coaching sessions. The coaching sessions will focus on business ideation, feedback on personal statements and reentry plans, and resume review. 

This event will be rescheduled due to COVID-19 regulations.

Event Description: On November 19th we kick off our 3rd cohort of women at York Correctional Institution! Join us for this inspiring event where you will meet over 50 women who are ready to take the next step towards their future by joining our CEO of Your New Life (CEO YNL) program.

Event Details:

Address: 201 W Main St, Niantic, CT 06357

Date & Time: November 19th, 10:30am-3pm

Arrival Time: 10:00am EST

Transportation: A bus ticket can be purchased from Defy for organized travel leaving from NYC.

Registration for this event is now closed. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Event Description: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s several empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a graduation ceremony.

Event Details

Address: 50 Mc Kendrick Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 24th, 2019, 9am-3:30pm EST

Arrival Time to the Prison: 8:30am EST

**THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS NOW CLOSED.

Event Description: Business Pitch Competitions (BPCs) are the culminating events for hard-working EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) completing the CEO of Your New Life program. During a BPC, EITs will present their business ideas in several rounds of a Shark Tank-style competition to panels of business leaders and investors. The event also includes Defy’s several empathy-building exercises designed to create an inclusive and accepting community. At the end of the day, five winning pitches are selected from the group in an awards ceremony, followed by a cap & gown graduation ceremony.

Event Details

Address: 201 W Main St, Niantic, CT 06357

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 10th, 2019, 10am-4pm EST

Arrival Time to the Prison: 9:30am EST

**THIS EVENT HAS REACHED CAPACITY AND IS NOW CLOSED.

Event Description: Join us for a Business Coaching Day for Defy's 8th Cohort at Wallkill Correctional Facility, a men's prison. Volunteers will engage in powerful empathy building activities and then meet with EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) for small group coaching sessions focusing on business ideation, reentry plans, mock interviews and resume review. This event marks the midway point of Defy's 9 month In-Prison Program called "CEO YNL" (CEO of Your New Life).

Event Details

Address: 50 Mc Kendrick Rd, Wallkill, NY 12589

Date & Time: Tuesday, June 11th, 2019, 10am-3pm EST

Arrival Time to the Prison: 9:30am EST

Transportation: You may drive to the facility or take a Defy bus leaving from 15 East 32nd Street, NY, NY 10016 at 7:00am SHARP. Bus tickets are $50. Information to purchase bus tickets will follow once you register for the event.

Deadline to Register: This event is full and has been closed.

Defy Tri-State is gearing up for our next event at York Correctional Institution! Join us for this cohort’s SPECIAL Business Coaching Day on April 22nd, signifying the midway point of the program for the women. If you attended their Kick Off in December, please consider continuing your support of this cohort by joining us again in April.

Other than this being a milestone event for the women in York, why is this event so special? We’re also celebrating our Tri-State Board Chair’s 50th BIRTHDAY!! Many of you have met and had the pleasure of working with Marcus Glover over the past year as he pushed hard to keep Defy’s Tri-State chapter moving forward. Join us as we celebrate his work, friendship, and dedication to Defy!!

Event: York Correctional Institution (Women's Facility) - Business Coaching Day

Address: 201 W Main St, Niantic, CT 06357

Date & Time: Monday, April 22nd, 10am-3pm EST

Arrival Time to the Prison: 9:30am EST

Transportation: You may drive to the facility or take a Defy bus leaving from 15 East 32nd Street, NY, NY 10016 at 6:30am SHARP. Bus tickets are $50. Information to purchase bus tickets will follow once you register for the event.

Event Description: Join us for a Business Coaching Day for Defy's 2nd Cohort at York Correctional Institution. Volunteers will engage in powerful empathy building activities and then meet with EITs (Entrepreneurs In-Training) for small group coaching sessions focusing on business ideation, reentry plans, mock interviews and resume review.

Deadline to Register: This event is full and has been closed.