Entrepreneurship
The entrepreneurial roots of WPI go back to its founding in 1865. At that time two local entrepreneurs funded the establishment of a technical institute where students would learn the arts and letters as well as practical skills that could, and did, lead to the development of new products. Building on that tradition, in 1999 the University established the Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) as WPI's entrepreneurship center. In addition to working with undergraduate and graduate students interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, the CEI staff work with faculty members, professional research staff members, and the larger business community to help them realize their entrepreneurial dreams.
Luis De la Cruz, MBA '00, Ed Wright, MS '01,
"Networking is the most important part of the MBA, next to the academics. The relationships are real, and can enrich your life or change the direction of your career in ways you didn't imagine. Ed Wright and I were partners on several MBA projects and now we run two companies together. Luis De la Cruz and I met through the Graduate Management Student Organization. The connections didn't stop in the classroom. Today, Ed, Luis and I are working on an exciting new venture, ZNQ3 - an information security company that provides digital trust services to secure communications and commerce." - Jeff Stutzman
CEI was formed with the strategic intent of establishing WPI as the preeminent university in the arena of technological entrepreneurship. The mission of the Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is to inspire and nurture people to discover, create, and commercialize new technological products and services, and to create new organizations based on those products and services, thereby advancing economic development and society.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities At WPI
WPI Dinner With Entrepreneurs Series
Funded by the John and Jeanne Hughes Foundation, the series brings together entrepreneurs with small groups of undergraduate students, graduate students, and high school students to talk about entrepreneurship in a relaxed dinner environment. Additionally, students are taught how to network effectively, one of the basic skills for success as an entrepreneur. The series, now in its third year, has been an outstanding success. For more, visit the DWE Web site.
Undergraduate Minor and Courses
The Department of Management offers three undergraduate courses in entrepreneurship as well as courses in innovation and electronic commerce. Additionally, students majoring in engineering and science may select the Minor in Entrepreneurship, which provides basic business courses as well as specialized entrepreneurship courses leading to a designation on the student's transcript and diploma. Also, many engineering departments offer design courses that require students to develop new products, including an assessment of commercialization opportunities. For more information, visit the Management Undergraduate Minors section.
CEI@WPI ALL-OUT Business Plan Challenge
Founded in 2001, this competition, open only to undergraduate and graduate students at WPI, carries up to $50,000 in prizes. Students submit their plans for starting technology-based businesses. These are evaluated by venture capitalists and other investors who recommend a group of finalists. The finalists present their plans to the judges, who select up to three plans to receive monetary awards totaling up to $50,000. Three businesses from the 2002 and 2003 competitions have launched and are operating in the black. For more information, visit the CEI@WPI ALL-OUT Business Plan Challenge Web site.
Invention to Venture (I2V)
A new offering in 2004, I2V is a program of the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) being offered in partnership with the CEI @ WPI. In this daylong boot camp, people will learn the spectrum of technology entrepreneurship from identifying ideas and opportunities to financing - all from expert consultants, entrepreneurs, and investors. Regardless of your level of entrepreneurship expertise, I2V will prove to be a valuable experience for learning, making contacts with investors or potential team members, or simply finding out what others are doing. The first I2V workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2004 in Fuller Labs on the WPI campus. For more information, visit the I2V Web site.
Robert H. Grant Invention Awards
Launched in 2003, these course-based awards recognize student invention. Often the outcome of design projects, students must demonstrate both novelty (as in a new product) and need (addressing a problem that market will pay to solve). The goal of the program is to encourage students to be inventive with a secondary goal of encouraging them toward participation in the CEI @ WPI ALL-OUT Business Plan Challenge. For more information, visit the Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Web site.
CEO East Student Entrepreneurship Conference
The CEI hosts this educational and networking opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty interested in entrepreneurship. The first conference was a resounding success with over 100 students from New England and the mid-Atlantic area participating. The next conference is scheduled for April 3, 2004. For more information, visit the CEO East Student Entrepreneurship Conference Web site.
The WPI Venture Forum
Founded in 1990, the mission of the Venture Forum is to inspire and facilitate technology-based entrepreneurial activity and economic growth. Twelve years into this mission, the WPI Venture Forum has become a highly respected organization comprised of volunteer entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers who promote the spirit of entrepreneurship through core programs such as Monthly Meetings, newsletters, a weekly radio program, and special events. Distinguished guests discuss topics important to entrepreneurs and create opportunities for participation. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to make elevator pitches for funding or to present their business plans to a panels of experts. The newsletter provides valuable information aimed at helping entrepreneurs. The radio program is number-one in its time slot. The WPI Venture Forum keeps the spirit of entrepreneurship alive and growing in Central Massachusetts on a platform of diverse and innovative programming. For more information, visit the WPI Venture Forum Web site.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: December 10, 2007 15:32:05