Throughout the history of the recently-launched MEC (MIT Entrepreneurship Club), emphasis has been put on giving students direct access to entrepreneurship. The true gem of entrepreneurship is that its wisdom and beauty is derived not from a classroom, as in traditional academia, but its practice. To this end, MEC has always prioritized inviting guest speakers, hosting meet-and-greet events, and providing settings for students to directly try out the concepts found in entrepreneurship.
Adam Deng is the current Head of External Events of MECEE. He was selected on Thursday, May 26, 2022, and his administration spans the 2022-2023 MIT year. He emphasizes a large, resourceful field of candidates, high engagement with students, and well-constructed, centralized pillars of communication with the MEC members.
The Executive Board position of Head of External Events was created in 2020 to formalize the array of potential collaboration of MEC with other universities and guests. The purpose of this position, as understood by Mr. Deng, is to foster collaboration between MEC and the outside world, to directly engage students in startup processes, and to make the beauty of entrepreneurship—networking and connections, diligent work, and strategic thinking—accessible to all.
Adam Deng is a junior at MIT, studying Mathematics (18) and AI (6-4). In 2022, he co-founded a crypto startup with EMBAs, spawned from a successful business pitch to NASDAQ CTO Brad Peterson in the IAP NASDAQ FinTech Challenge.
Adam's greatest strength is strategic leadership. When charging into battle, he creates a strategic map of the tasks at hand, takes the initiative in all aspects of the project, and inspires the team with his enthusiasm (including speeches and pep talks).
Adam's favorite entrepreneurship moment occurred at the Bad Pitch Competition on Friday, October 1, 2021, as part of MIT Startlabs' Entrepalooza. Prior to that date, applicants submitted slide deck proposals for intentionally wacky startup ideas. (Adam did not apply.) Five students were chosen to present live. Halfway through the contest, a presenter did not show up, so the event host asked if anyone from the audience wanted to present. Adam raised his hand and volunteered. The 'bad pitch' was about a baseball card startup; midway through his ad-libbing, Adam asked for the next slide, only to be greeted with "There's only one slide!" The 2 minutes of dynamic presentation, voice acting, and hilarious suggestions won him the audience vote and the competition.
Find out more (all?) about Adam Deng at his website AdamDeng.com. It is often updated with new essays & insights, and is sure to inspire you and brighten your day!