ASHEVILLE –Venture Asheville announced the expanded speaker lineup for the 2024 Corporate Innovation Summit, taking place on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 8:30 to 11:00 AM at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center. This year’s summit, a headlining event during Asheville Entrepreneurship Week (#AEW24), will now feature Jordan LaFlure, Executive Editor of The Onion, alongside John Lowe, former CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Managing Director of Amok Growth Capital.

Jordan LaFlure will open the event with a talk on the innovation journey of The Onion, the leading name in satire and humorous commentary. From pivots into video, digital news, and social media to a recent reverse pivot back into print, LaFlure will share insight into how The Onion continues to evolve and innovate in a rapidly changing media landscape.

"Jordan’s talk will offer humor and profound insights into the lifecycle of innovation, using The Onion’s journey as a case study," said Jeffrey Kaplan, Executive Director of Venture Asheville. "His presence, along with John Lowe, truly brings a dynamic contrast to this year’s summit, offering attendees a look at innovation from both cultural and business perspectives."

Following LaFlure’s presentation, John Lowe, Managing Director of Amok Consumer Growth Fund and former CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, will deliver his keynote address. Lowe, who took Jeni’s from $1.2M to $120M, will share his experiences scaling the brand into a category king in the ice cream industry.

“This summit is more than just a gathering—it’s a catalyst for inspiration and action,” Kaplan added. “With John Lowe’s business acumen and Jordan LaFlure’s creative take on innovation, we’re set to deliver a truly engaging experience for Asheville’s entrepreneurial community.”

Tickets are priced at $65 per individual. To register, please visit the event page.

For more information on Asheville Entrepreneurship Week, visit VentureAsheville.com/AEW.