Goodwill’s New Resale Platform Is Way More High-Tech Than You Might Think
As Black Friday approaches, savvy shoppers are discovering that thrifting offers a sustainable alternative to traditional retail, with unique finds at bargain prices. One leader transforming the thrift shopping experience is Matt Kaness (MBA '02). When the opportunity to serve as CEO arose to lead GoodwillFinds eCommerce, a new social enterprise building an online marketplace for Goodwill organizations nationwide, he leapt at the chance.
Will the Innovation Economy Thrive or Suffer Under a Second Trump Presidency?
What might the new administration mean for the innovation economy, including artificial intelligence and sustainability? The Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at the Darden School of Business took a closer look.
How Taking Calculated Risks Helped Warren Thompson Grow a $1 Billion Business
When Warren Thompson visits new managers and leaders of the restaurants owned by his company, he often asks: Do you describe yourself as a corporate person or an entrepreneur? It isn’t a trick question. No real right or wrong. But Thompson (MBA ’83) clearly favors one answer.
UVA Darden Student Isabela Batista’s Journey from Favela to Finance
When Isabela Batista (Class of 2025) left her growing business in Rio de Janeiro to attend the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, she wasn’t just pursuing an MBA — she was pushing her limits.
Batten Institute Launches the Inaugural Symposium to Reimagine Entrepreneurship Education
Thirty business faculty representing more than 20 universities – from as far as Denmark and Sri Lanka – descended on the University of Virginia Darden School of Business for a day of “Reimagining Entrepreneurship Education.” The first symposium of its kind, hosted by the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology at Darden, was an exploration of how to incorporate the principles of effectuation to improve business curricula and student outcomes.
Conservation Is a Long Game. Dorothy Batten Is More Than Ready.
Under Darden alumna Dorothy Batten’s leadership, Oakencroft Farm & Winery is a sustainability-first enterprise in every aspect, from land management to wine production. Batten's lifelong passion for conservation informs her approach, and she hopes their sustainable methods will spread as climate changes continues to threaten the environment and human thriving.
