Creating Social Value Blog / Food

Honoring 2017 Babson Rising Stars

Each year at Babson’s Celebrating Achievements in Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® ceremony, Rising Star entrepreneurs are recognized for their accomplishments in creating economic and social value. These individuals have founded or co-founded businesses that are less than 10 years old, are making an impact in their marketplace, and are generating significant media attention. We could not be prouder to have social innovators Michael Kasseris MBA’11, Karim El-Gamal MBA’11, and Jamie Kent ’09 included in this year’s cohort of Rising Star honorees.

Michael Kasseris MBA’11 & Karim El-Gamal MBA’11, co-owners of Rail Trail Flatbread and New City Microcreamery.

Michael and Karim, co-owners of Rail Trail Flatbread and New City Microcreamery, met at Babson’s one-year MBA program and ET&A-ed their way into starting a food business that also happened to be a way to breathe life and energy back into the community of Hudson, MA. Throughout their journey, they’ve instituted open hiring practices, utilized local and seasonal ingredients, and maintained a clear commitment to cultivating community through their work.

During his time at Babson as an undergraduate, Jamie created a very different business model for being a musician with The Collective. This community created a way for his most loyal fans, friends, and advisors to buy into him and his future. As a result of being collaborative, open, and unafraid to challenge the status quo in a rapidly evolving industry, he’s attracted the attention of artists like Huey Lewis and has become a nationwide sensation. We’d like to think that The Lewis Institute helped catapult him to fame by having him perform at the first three years of From Day One. But in all seriousness, Jamie’s story is truly a testament to the power of relationships and engaging with your community differently to create value.

All are welcome to join the Babson community on April 13th for Celebrating Achievements in Entrepreneurial Thought and Action® where we will honor the 2017 Rising Stars and two Alumni Entrepreneur Hall of Fame inductees, and celebrate the 2017 B.E.T.A. Challenge Competition winners. Information about the 2017 award recipients, program details, and a registration link can be found here.