Entrepreneur in Residence

Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), a position held by an experienced entrepreneur and a leader who is willing and able to mold young students into thriving, motivated business owners. Today college graduates leave their respective universities and enter a world of 16.7% unemployment, roughly 8% higher than the national average. Self-starters are needed more today than ever before.

The Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) at Grand Valley State University views the position of Entrepreneur in Residence as a pivotal educational tool for their students.

A part of GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, CEI focuses on supporting entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs in Residence will aid the center as it reviews business plans and coaches entrepreneurs, as well as help build its programming. With the help of residents the CEI can turn the the center into the primary location where entrepreneurs can find answers and receive direction and guidance at the university level.

Current Entrepreneur in Residence

[email protected]

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke is an entrepreneur, lawyer, branding geek, and alternative finance/fintech guru Currently he helps businesses launch, fundraise and go to market at PalCo House and is helping his son found a NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness business while founding social media app Blurtr. Formerly with startups VerifyValid and CrowdFund Connect, CampusStarter/Hubbub, SafeWhistle, and BitLyft (4 exits, 1 solid success, 1 failure) and an advisor to over ten startups, he loves helping launch ventures. He has also been a part of, as a speaker, lecture, and judge, a number of college entrepreneurship competitions and programs. He holds a BA in Econ from Kalamazoo and JD from MSU College of Law and will be pursuing an MBA in the near future.

Office Hours

In Fall and Winter Semester

Tuesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm | Wednesday: 9:00 - 3:00 pm

*It is best to make an email appointment. Other times may be available by appointment.

Get In Touch