KINGSTON, R.I. – April 22, 2025 – E-Week is underway at the University of Rhode Island, offering students from the College of Engineering an opportunity to present their work and highlight some of their accomplishments over the past year.

Among the many scheduled events this week is the Anthony J. Risica Lecture and Reception, set for Thursday, April 24, at 4 p.m. in room 010 of the Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering. This year’s distinguished guest is Daniel Harple ’86, an internationally recognized entrepreneur, inventor and engineer. 

Harple serves as the chairman and chief executive officer of Context Labs, a company with offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Houston, and Amsterdam. Context Labs specializes in helping organizations maximize the potential of their data to help tackle some of their most complex challenges. Harple was an early pioneer, making groundbreaking contributions to the development of technology that’s essential for applications like Netflix, QuickTime, Zoom, and others. 

“I have had the privilege to meet Dan, and I can promise that he has a lot of great stories to tell,” says Anthony Marchese, the Vincent and Estelle Murphy professor of engineering and Dean of the College of Engineering.

Among his numerous accolades, Harple has been awarded Inc. Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year multiple times and the NEA President’s Award. He’s also been awarded the URI Alumni Excellence Award for his significant contribution to science and technology.

Despite his numerous achievements, Harple came from modest beginnings. As a Rhode Islander, he paid for college working in the mud on Narragansett Bay, on a work skiff, digging for quahogs. 

“That’s how I paid for college in those years,” said Harple. “Part of my message is it doesn’t matter where you come from, but what’s more important is where you want to go.” More can be found at www.dlhsport.com.

He plans on focusing his presentation on his entrepreneurial journey and reflecting on the lessons he’s learned while founding multiple companies. He’ll also delve into the invention side of entrepreneurship. He notes that entrepreneurs are often taught the importance of raising money and turning a profit rather than creating something that is in high demand

“I think entrepreneurs should focus on how to make something so cool that people can’t resist investing in your company,” says Harple.

Following the talk, there will be a question and answer session in which Harple will discuss the ever-evolving influence of artificial intelligence and how it’s reshaping the future of engineering, business and sustainability.

Immediately following the lecture, a reception will be held at 5 p.m. outside room 010 of the Fascitelli Center.

For a full list of events happening during E-Week go to the event schedule.