Dr. Marlene Leekang
Recognized with second place for Chapter Advisor at the Fall 2023 CEO Global Conference.
The first entrepreneurship club at Baruch and CUNY
Since 2017, Baruch CEO has helped students build entrepreneurial skills for their careers, their own ventures and everything in between.
Mission and vision
Give every college student the resources to build entrepreneurial skills, whether for a career, a personal goal or a new venture.
A community of driven leaders who improve the world through the ventures they build.
Our story
- 2017
Founded at Baruch
CEO starts as the first entrepreneurship club at Baruch College and in CUNY.
- 2022
Outstanding Chapter Leader
Second place at the fall CEO Global Conference.
- 2023
Best Cross Campus Innovation and Networking
First place, plus second place for Outstanding Marketing and for Chapter Advisor.
- 2024
Global Chapter of the Year
First place at the Fall 2024 conference in Tampa.
- 2025
Popped Up wins the Pitch Competition
Bearcat Thrift and Mr. G. LLC round out the final three.
- 2026
Start-Up Development Program opens
Fall founders work through Phase I, and three ventures advance to the accelerator.
What members get
Meet founders and investors
Get direct exposure to the entrepreneurial world through people who have done it.
Learn the fundamentals
Workshops cover business planning, marketing and fundraising.
Build by doing
Hands-on projects develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Grow your network
Connect with students, alumni and industry professionals.
Lead and stand out
Leadership roles strengthen your resume and portfolio.
Find your direction
Explore different ventures to discover what you care about.
Awards and impact
$15K
Non-dilutive funding awarded to student ventures over the past two years, as of Fall 2026. Founders keep all of their equity, and the total is updated each semester.
| Result | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Popped Up wins the CEO Pitch Competition | May 2025 | CEO Pitch Competition, Baruch |
| Global Chapter of the Year, first place | Fall 2024 | CEO Global Conference, Tampa |
| Best Cross Campus Innovation and Networking, first place | Fall 2023 | CEO Global Conference |
| Outstanding Marketing, second place | Fall 2023 | CEO Global Conference |
| Chapter Advisor, Dr. Marlene Leekang, second place | Fall 2023 | CEO Global Conference |
| Outstanding Chapter Leader, second place | Fall 2022 | CEO Global Conference |
CEO Pitch Competition results
| Year | Winner | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Popped Up | Bearcat Thrift, Mr. G. LLC |
Part of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization
250+chapters
16.5K+student entrepreneurs
$20Kin conference prizes