WORCESTER, MA – Worcester State University today announced the establishment of a new $250,000 endowment that will ensure the long-term future of the Robert K. O’Brien Next Big Idea Contest, an entrepreneurship competition originally launched in 2013 thanks to a gift from the late Bob O’Brien, a 1958 Worcester State alumnus.
The endowment has been generously funded by Bob O’Brien’s son, Brendan O’Brien, and his wife, Julie Grasso, providing $10,000 annually to be used for prize money and program expenses. Over the years, the contest has helped spark the entrepreneurial ambitions of Worcester State students, with past winners like Derek Canton, a 2015 graduate of the university who was recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 in 2023. Canton went on to found the tech company Paerpay after receiving O’Brien’s personal mentorship and financial backing.
“Bob O’Brien was a beloved member of the Worcester State community whose passion for entrepreneurship and commitment to supporting talented young people had an immeasurable impact,” said Worcester State President Barry M. Maloney. “This endowment will ensure that his legacy lives on, inspiring future generations of Worcester State innovators to turn their big ideas into reality.”
A first-generation college student who worked multiple jobs to put himself through school, O’Brien went on to found a global reinsurance company and numerous other successful business ventures. He and his late wife Barbara, a 1957 Worcester State alumna, were among Worcester State’s first major donors, contributing nearly $1 million over the course of their lifetimes to fund scholarships and other initiatives. The university’s Department of Education is named for Barbara Hickey O’Brien.
“Bob O’Brien understood the transformative power of education and entrepreneurship,” said Thomas McNamara, vice president of University Advancement. “He was a true mentor to many Worcester State students, and this endowment by his family will allow his spirit of generosity and support to continue for years to come.”
“Julie and I are delighted to make this gift in support of the Robert K. O’Brien Next Big Idea Contest and students who want to create, build and innovate,” Brendan O’Brien said. “My father was a successful businessman with a passion for entrepreneurship, and he always dared students to dream big. We hope this gift will empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to follow their passions and build a better future.”
The Robert K. O’Brien Next Big Idea Contest provides Worcester State students with access to valuable entrepreneurial resources, including workshops, mentors, and the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win seed funding. The program helped launch numerous startups over the past decade, further cementing Worcester State’s reputation as a hub of innovation and opportunity.
“We are deeply grateful to the O’Brien family for this extraordinary gift, which will ensure that the Next Big Idea Contest continues to inspire and empower our students,” Maloney said. “Bob’s legacy will live on through the many entrepreneurs and leaders that this program produces.”
Top Photo: The student winners of the first Next Big Idea competition in 2013.
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