Who We Are

Our mission

The Collegiate Entrepreneur was created in efforts to pioneer a platform that will connect aspiring entrepreneurs, and motivate them to follow their goals. We do not see any goal as "impractical" or "crazy" as the influential figures in your life might tell you. With the right amount of work and the proper goals set in place, anything can be accomplished! We see TCE as a brand for the daring, "crazy" people who are willing to take the path less traveled and reap the benefits. Everyone has different talents and a different path to greatness, and we can help you learn from the successes and shortcomings of other ambitious entrepreneurs!

The Creators

Mitch Kottkamp (left) and Trevor Merchant (right)

MK: My name is Mitch Kottkamp and I am currently studying to double major in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at NC State University. My main interests are sports, music, and entrepreneurship. My favorite sport is basketball, which I play in intramural leagues at NCSU. As far as music, I really can listen to anything, but my favorites are rap and classic rock. Some of my favorite artists include Travis Scott, Big Sean, Drake, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix. Since I was a kid, I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. My Dad owns his own security company; the combination of his successful career and working unsatisfactory jobs helped me realize the beaten path was not for me. I was born and raised and Charlotte, and I started my own landscaping business, which was based in my neighborhood but later grew to others through the use of location based networking application NextDoor. I am also learning how to code, and I designed the website for my father's commercial security business. I am all in on The Collegiate Entrepreneur, and I believe that we can help motivate and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs!

TM: My name is Trevor Merchant and I, like Mitch, am an Entrepreneurship and Marketing major at NCSU. I left home at an early age to pursue a career in ice hockey and spent time in many different, fascinating places. During this time, I always had a passion to start my own business. Instead of waiting, I took matters into my own hands and self-taught how to program websites and mobile applications and started my own small business. As well, I learned how to trade stocks, options, currencies and many more. Ever since I was little, I've been self-motivated and determined to achieve my dreams. And I'm here to help you achieve yours as well!