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		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=66745</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
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		<updated>2018-02-21T02:43:22Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
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= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
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= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Landscape Canvas&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:small;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University's Landscape Canvas can be found&amp;amp;nbsp;[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0 here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace C. Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65550</id>
		<title>User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65550"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:26:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebec&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Inno&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;vation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65549</id>
		<title>User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65549"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:25:47Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebec&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Inno&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;vation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;http://universityinnovation.org/images/4/4d/Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65548</id>
		<title>File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65548"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:22:59Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: RebeccaAbbott-McCune uploaded a new version of &amp;amp;quot;File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Portrait image&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65547</id>
		<title>File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65547"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:22:10Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: RebeccaAbbott-McCune uploaded a new version of &amp;amp;quot;File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Portrait image&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65546</id>
		<title>User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=65546"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:19:42Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg]]Rebecca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication. Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65545</id>
		<title>File:Rebecca Abbott-McCune.jpg</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Rebecca_Abbott-McCune.jpg&amp;diff=65545"/>
		<updated>2018-02-04T16:18:30Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: Portrait image&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Portrait image&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64406</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64406"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:49:26Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
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= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
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Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
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The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
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Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
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[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
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Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
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== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
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The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
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== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
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The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
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[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
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The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
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= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
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[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
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The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
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Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
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All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
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A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
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= Landscape Canvas&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:small;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University's Landscape Canvas can be found&amp;amp;nbsp;[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0 here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
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I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
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= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64405</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64405"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:49:15Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Landscape Canvas&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:small;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University's Landscape Canvas can be found&amp;amp;nbsp;[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0 here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=  =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64404</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64404"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:48:49Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Landscape Canvas&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=  =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64403</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64403"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:48:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Landscape Canvas&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=  =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University's Landscape Canvas can be found [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0 here].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64402</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64402"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:47:12Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0 Landscape Canvas] =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64401</id>
		<title>School:Kettering University</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=School:Kettering_University&amp;diff=64401"/>
		<updated>2018-01-26T17:46:46Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[[File:Smallbulldog.jpg|frame]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Introduction =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Business fields. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering places a strong emphasis on experiential learning and cooperative education, with undergraduate students required to complete a minimum of seven co-op terms to graduate.[4] The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[5] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The faculty at Kettering University tends to integrate I&amp;amp;E into the courses through open-ended projects and assignments. The Faculty does not fail to emphasize the importance of I&amp;amp;E in any discipline or major, and they provide students with opportunities to display their I&amp;amp;E skills in the classroom, and to inspire or get inspired.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Programs dedicated to I&amp;amp;E have been proposed in the past, but currently the only dedicated curriculum related to I&amp;amp;E is a minor in entrepreneurship offered by the school's business department. Many forces throughout the school wish to push a more non-traditional approach to I&amp;amp;E, but none have taken hold so far.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship Related Events =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:ME Bulldog.jpeg|thumb|ME Bulldog.jpeg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University strives to engage its students with I&amp;amp;E both in and outside the classroom. It currently hosts two campus events that make students delve into I&amp;amp;E.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Innovation Quest ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized weekly and the idea is to compete in an hour long challenge to create a simple machine or device that accomplishes the designated task. The event has gained much popularity around campus and the participation is high. While the event is more geared towards Innovation than Entrepreneurship, the idea is to appeal to the creativity in students.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== Kettering Impact ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The event is organized once a term and it currently offers a $1000 first price to the student or group of students that can come up with an idea to improve Kettering University and eventually use this to start a venture of their own. The students are made to create a 4 minute long video that entails their idea and the basic need for it along with other important details. The event is usually judged by members of the college administration along with other budding student Entrepreneurs.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Kettering Entrepreneur Society =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:SmallKES.jpg|thumb|SmallKES.jpg]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The three pillars of Kettering Entrepreneurship Society (KES) are Mentoring, Networking and Funding. Students often have great ideas but lack the means to set them in motion. KES seeks to fill in this gap by providing valuable feedback, essential start-up funding, an interactive network, and most important of all, the motivation. KES holds weekly meetings open to the entire student body and faculty. Once a student receives a grant, he/she periodically updates the society on the progress of their projects. Students that are not physically present can also attend meetings virtually using Google Hangouts.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= T-Space =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[File:KU T-Space.png|thumb|KU T-Space.png]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The T-Space is Kettering's makerspace, operating with the goal of being a space where students can think, tinker, and thrive. This allows students to grow with their personal and school projects. It currently provides students access to 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering, and other utilities to work on small electric and mechanical projects.&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Co-op Program =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Arguably, the most attractive aspect of studying at Kettering University is the co-op program. Each term at Kettering University is 11 weeks long, and there are four terms per year. Students alternate between co-op (usually at a company) and school every term, working and studying for a total of 6 months each. Most students graduate with two years of valuable industrial work experience and have a better understanding of the workplace. Also included in Kettering's graduation requirements is a Thesis project, which, while generally being done at a student's co-op, can also be finished through school research or by creating an entrepreneurial venture.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
All this practical experience combined offers a much more hands-on approach to I&amp;amp;E. Students learn the basics of managing a project and delivering results along with developing a healthy work ethic.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Faculty =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A drive for innovation and entrepreneurship is not only spreading in the student body but it has spread through the administration and faculty with the i2e-au movement. Students actively witness some professors, who are making strides to modify their curriculum to incorporate an I&amp;amp;E mindset, encouraging entrepreneurship within the classroom.&amp;amp;nbsp;Additionally, the university now grants funds to professors who are excelling in this regard in order to further the movement.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Landscape Canvas =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OP4YflPXYLWMqyF2rMWfoVWaVwE5UDwOxrX8ErMGTaI/edit#gid=3 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1prwsD67s7fX_PbbCoZCa9apDHP1kAGSNIrtDjzaQxQM/edit#gid=0]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Entrepreneurial Rating =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I would rate Kettering University 6 out of 10 on entrepreneurial activities only because of the huge room it has for growth. Given the vastly technical student population, I&amp;amp;E can play a much broader role in student life at Kettering. The good news is that the college realizes this and is now consciously delegating resources in this arena.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= 2016 Campus Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-content-text&amp;quot; lang=&amp;quot;en&amp;quot; dir=&amp;quot;ltr&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;mw-content-ltr&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; direction: ltr; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;1.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;font color=&amp;quot;#000000&amp;quot; face=&amp;quot;Arial&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.24px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/font&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Promoting student innovation a&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;nd entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Discover:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The skills of innovation already exist on our campus because a lot of students work in the real industry, and are exposed to the latest technology for 2 out of 4 years of their undergrad.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Learn:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students can take classes like Software Engineering, Digital Systems, Inen 101,102,201 as well as do an entrepreneurial thesis project.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Experiment:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Innovation Quest is where the engineering skills learned in the classroom are applied in a real life design and engineering problem.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;We feel that the best way to get the entire faculty of Kettering to be interested in the I2E will be via the students. Once the students are passionate about innovation and feel the need to fulfill the need in a real world problem - the faculty will have to adapt as they will see the greater value in this cause.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University already has the technology function which is sufficient to start this off, however, in the future, as the program grows, new technological advances can easily be made.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering is one of the best schools in the country that is equipped with University-Industry collaboration because every single student that goes is required to work in the industry 6 months out of the year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73b-06f0-77b7-5a1e91b6a131&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Regional and local economic development efforts are made through our school's external affairs office. They provide us with those resources on how to be better engaged in local and regional business&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;2. Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73d-99ad-ef2b-5e4f44d5b9d7&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The faculty at Kettering University are very diverse and consist of very distinct backgrounds. With the research we have conducted thus far and the people we have interviewed, it seems that some faculty members are extremely passionate about the innovation and entrepreneurship on campus, while some are very hesitant and do not fully see the point of this program. Kettering is one of the most technical schools in the country, and I think this is where I2E program needs to succeed because students here do have the technical skills to implement big ideas and things. We are planning to encourage the faculty by first encouraging the students as the younger generation is more enthusiastic about the internet and the innovation revolving around technology. The premise is once we have the students supporting the idea of I2E, it will automatically spread throughout the campus, and faculty members will see its value.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;3.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Actively supporting the university technology transfer function&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society is one way the university supports the technology transfer of function. To be eligible for a seed grant, members must partake in a three part presentation throughout the term. First off, is a generic idea presentation. This allows the creator(s) to air-out their idea to the society and receive initial advice and criticism regarding said idea. The second step is a line item presentation that gives more background information, and allows the creator(s) to give the society an idea of what line items (e.g. equipment, LLC formation, materials, etc.) to further this innovation. The third step in the process is for the line item financial costs to be presented to the society. The society of members will then vote on the financials during a discussion to see which will be passed or rejected.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society offers different tiers of seed grant funding for ideas and start-up companies. Depending on the type of idea, how much “sweat-equity” has been spent on the idea to date, and it’s cost, the Kettering Entrepreneur Society has a flow chart titled “Grant Evaluation” that breaks down what tiers of funding are. The “Proof of Concept Grant” offers students funding for tinkering with ideas and innovation up to $1000. This can include materials for prototyping, professional advice, or capital for initial market research. The “Establishment Phase” is the next tier of funding, which is up to $2500. The creator(s) must demonstrate feasibility with the idea in order to qualify. This phase allows members to form their companies legally, and begin building a minimal viable product. The “Exposure Phase” gives students up to $3500 in funding, but requires feasibility, and a long term vision for the creator(s) business plan. This phase allows students to build on their minimal viable product and hit the ground running with insurance, or other legal barriers that may interrupt their pathway to success. There is also an “In-Between Phases” grant that gives members up to $3000 for those stuck in Establishment and Exposure purgatory. All grants are evaluated by members who share an equal voice. All students on campus are encouraged to partake. If a creator is able to effectively demonstrate a need for a line item and a seed grant is approved by the society, the creator is awarded the seed grant in full for the desired amount.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e73f-ae58-8a64-b06566e6aaf1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Tinker Space or T-Space is a maker-space funded for students to develop and tinker with ideas. The T-Space is located in the Mott Science Center on campus, and offers many tinker space amenities. &amp;amp;nbsp;As far as equipment goes, there are various 3D Printers and &amp;amp;nbsp;CNC Machines for prototyping and creation. Plastic filament and acrylic is provided for projects within reason. Students are allowed to bring in outside materials if their project warrants larger than normal quantities. There are also laptops and arduinos/raspberry pi’s available for students interested in learning to program. In addition to programming materials, soldering stations with power tools are also available for those interested in electronics. Resistors and capacitors can be provided once again within reason. There are incubators located inside the T-Space, and members who pitch ideas to KES are eligible for incubator usage. A new addition to the T-Space is the Green room, which has greenscreen wall for cinematography. A movie camera and laptop are located in the room as well as a tripod for unique camera angles. The layout of the T-Space is progressive, and includes foam cubes, whiteboard desks and walls, roller “zero gravity” chairs, and an honor system drink and snack bar. All students on campus are welcomed to use and enjoy the T-Space. For basic members, supervision is required for using any of the equipment. However, after taking a simple safety training course, students are able to use any equipment without supervision. Students can also become T-Space Journeymen, which allows them to train other students and perform equipment maintenance/upkeep. This also gives them 24/7 access to the building as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;4. Faciliating University-Industry Collaboration&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University is a unique STEM+B institution, because of the required cooperative education program. Student semesters are broken into four 3-month terms. Each student is required to take two school terms, and two work terms to complete one year at Kettering University. Because of the scheduled co-op plan, students graduate Kettering with two and a half years of professional workplace experience. Kettering’s full-time job placement upon graduation from students fluctuates between 99-100% each year.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students co-op cycles can vary, however most students tend to stick with the same company throughout their time at Kettering. Students are treated like full-time employees at work, and are tasked with work accordingly. Due to the cyclical schedule, co-op students are able to bring back information they learned in the classroom and apply it in the workplace.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-5429-9b2f-aa079763b382&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kettering University has a Cooperative Education office that provides students with an individual manager to help them through the co-op process. Co-op managers assist students with resume development, schedule job fairs, and function as the schools liaison throughout the co-op process. They also conduct reviews on companies to determine if students are being deployed adequately and in an engaging way.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;5. Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;ul style=&amp;quot;margin: 0pt 0px 0pt 1.6em; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Kettering Entrepreneur Society encourages students to be involved with regional and local economic development efforts. If a student is interested in participating in any sort of event, KES will sponsor and reimburse students for transportation and registration fees. One event in the surrounding area is Flint SOUP. Flint SOUP is a monthly dinner (soup, salad, bread) that raises seed money for creative projects in the Flint community. They also offer Free Code Camps, free business seminars, and share funding.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span id=&amp;quot;docs-internal-guid-c4abb891-e740-ec5f-aee3-92f7e211dad6&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;KES also has relations with the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Lawrence Tech University in sponsoring students for the Makeathon competition. Students compete in a 36 hour competition that requires impromptu engineering design and a solution to a problem they must solve.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.4; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Written by:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Jace_C._Stokes Jace_C._Stokes]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.38; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;and [http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Moe_Ghias Moe Ghias]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div id=&amp;quot;mw-articlefeedback&amp;quot; class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 1em 0px 0px; padding: 0px; line-height: 20.16px; position: relative; display: inline-block; width: 864px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14.4px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-panel&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px; line-height: 1.4; float: left; width: 864px; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); background-color: rgb(249, 249, 249);&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;articleFeedback-buffer articleFeedback-ui&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin: 0px; padding: 0.75em 1em; line-height: 1.4;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Related Links =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Kettering University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kettering University Student Priorities]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
University Innovation Fellows:&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| border=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;width: 500px&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| '''UIF Launch Term'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Student Name and Bio'''&lt;br /&gt;
| '''Kettering Academic Section'''&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Chelsea_Carter|Chelsea Carter]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Eric_Rickabaugh|Eric Rickabaugh]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Ashley_Switalski|Ashley Switalski]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2017&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Shane_Thiede|Shane Thiede]]&lt;br /&gt;
| B-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Moe_Ghias|Moe Ghias]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2016&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Jace_C._Stokes|Jace C. Stokes]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Cheyne_Westerman|Cheyne Westerman]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2015&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Alan_Xia|Alan Xia]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Hunter_Casbeer|Hunter Casbeer]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| Spring 2014&lt;br /&gt;
| [[Saheb_Kapoor|Saheb Kapoor]]&lt;br /&gt;
| A-Section&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Universities]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Fellow:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62718</id>
		<title>Fellow:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Fellow:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62718"/>
		<updated>2018-01-13T20:13:48Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: Created page with &amp;quot;Rebecca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses inc...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Rebecca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication. Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62716</id>
		<title>User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62716"/>
		<updated>2018-01-13T20:12:14Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebecca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication. Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62715</id>
		<title>User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=User:RebeccaAbbott-McCune&amp;diff=62715"/>
		<updated>2018-01-13T20:11:53Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebecca Abbott-McCune&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Rebecca (Becca) Abbott-McCune is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate student of Kettering University studying Mechanical Engineering. Her focuses include Team and Organizational Communication. Rebecca was born in Killeen, TX, but shortly moved to South Korea and had around 20 other subsequent moves before ending up in Flint, MI to attend a school that would better prepare her for her intended career. In her first three months of Kettering, she became a part of the T-Space Leadership. This group manages and organizes the makerspace located within the school. Through this, she was invited to apply to be a University Innovation Fellow.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;From a very young age, Becca was interested in electronics and robotic systems. Growing up, she was very involved with local robotics teams, learning how to develop and follow through with the Engineering Design Process and communicate with large amounts of people. She went on to lead entire parts of teams and become the lead driver on another. Becca believes that communication is the critical key to success with such groups and is passionate about improving her abilities to be open-minded and communicate well. This passion has led her to participate in multiple competitive interviews with these teams. On campus, she is interested in making the learning environment more productive and increasing the level of communication between students and professors as well as degree departments.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=62526</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=62526"/>
		<updated>2018-01-12T19:08:44Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLaunch.png|frame|BlackstoneLaunch.png]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories.&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Connecticut'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Trinity College&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Cornell University&lt;br /&gt;
*New York University&lt;br /&gt;
*Syracuse University&lt;br /&gt;
*University at Albany&lt;br /&gt;
*University at Buffalo&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;South Carolina&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''University of South Carolina&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Texas&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''Texas A&amp;amp;M&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Texas at Austin&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Texas at Dallas&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ireland&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*NUI Galway Students' Union&lt;br /&gt;
*University College Cork&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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|}&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Contributors =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kyle Kopecky|Kyle Kopecky]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Evan Robertson|Evan Robertson]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[RebeccaAbbott-McCune|Rebecca Abbott-McCune]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=62525</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=62525"/>
		<updated>2018-01-12T19:07:59Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLaunch.png|frame|BlackstoneLaunch.png]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories.&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Connecticut'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Trinity College&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Cornell University&lt;br /&gt;
*New York University&lt;br /&gt;
*Syracuse University&lt;br /&gt;
*University at Albany&lt;br /&gt;
*University at Buffalo&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;South Carolina&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''University of South Carolina&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Texas&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''Texas A&amp;amp;M&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Texas at Austin&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Texas at Dallas&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ireland&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*NUI Galway Students' Union&lt;br /&gt;
*University College Cork&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Contributors =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Kyle Kopecky|Kyle Kopecky]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Evan Robertson|Evan Robertson]]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61738</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61738"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:49:36Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame|BlackstoneLBL.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories.&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;New York&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Cornell University&lt;br /&gt;
*New York University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*TEMP&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ireland&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*NUI Galway Students' Union&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61719</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61719"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:34:30Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*UC Irvine&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Walsh College&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Kent State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Lorain County Community College&lt;br /&gt;
*Baldwin Wallace University&lt;br /&gt;
*Case Western Reserve University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 259.3333435058594px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61717</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61717"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:33:55Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*UC Irvine&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Walsh College&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Kent State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Lorain County Community College&lt;br /&gt;
*Baldwin Wallace University&lt;br /&gt;
*Case Western Reserve University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61715</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61715"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:33:38Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*UCLA&lt;br /&gt;
*UC Irvine&lt;br /&gt;
*USC&lt;br /&gt;
*Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Central Florida&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Wayne State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Walsh College&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*University of Montana&lt;br /&gt;
*Montana State University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Kent State University&lt;br /&gt;
*Lorain County Community College&lt;br /&gt;
*Baldwin Wallace University&lt;br /&gt;
*Case Western Reserve University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*Temple University&lt;br /&gt;
*University City Science Center&lt;br /&gt;
*Philadelphia University&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
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|}&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61713</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61713"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:32:40Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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|}&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61710</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61710"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:29:00Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 1.3em;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61708</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61708"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:27:01Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at this [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/economy/business/startup-america website].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
|-&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 260.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 259.3333435058594px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61701</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61701"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:25:30Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61700</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61700"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:25:18Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found [http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad here].&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
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|}&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61694</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61694"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:24:37Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61693</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61693"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:24:17Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Distinct Differences From Other Offerings&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61691</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61691"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:23:42Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
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=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
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=== This page contains the following errors: ===&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Launchpad's New Partnership&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;DISTINCT DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER OFFERINGS'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61687</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61687"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:22:25Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;parsererror style=&amp;quot;display: block; white-space: pre; border: 2px solid #c77; padding: 0 1em 0 1em; margin: 1em; background-color: #fdd; color: black&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=== &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; ===&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD'S NEW PARTNERSHIP'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;DISTINCT DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER OFFERINGS'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 259.3333435058594px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61686</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61686"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:22:02Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD'S NEW PARTNERSHIP'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;DISTINCT DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER OFFERINGS'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61682</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61682"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:21:23Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD'S NEW PARTNERSHIP'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;DISTINCT DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER OFFERINGS'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61680</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61680"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T23:20:53Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the LaunchPad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories. One of the unique opportunities that the organization provides entrepreneurs is a 1-on-1 coaching model that begins with peer-to-peer and executive director or program director mentorship. As the entreprenuer's business model makes more traction, subject matter experts and other professionals are contacted to assist with mentoring. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' in recent years has expanded to an international approach through developing partnerships with universities such as Trinity College, the National University of Ireland Galway, and the University College of Cork. The organization's goal is to create an unprecedented network that provides students opportunities that they wouldn't have otherwise with more unique partnerships coming in the near future.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit. ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a goal to engage at least 10% of each partner campuses student population to ensure high participation in the organization. The organization also strives to well-position itself in each of its partnership campuses to provide the most benefit to the each university from a wholesome perspective.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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=== Below is a rendering of the page up to the first error. ===&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''BLACKSTONE LAUNCHPAD'S NEW PARTNERSHIP'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/o:p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;As of October 17, 2017, ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' formed a new strategic partnership with TechStars to further assist entreprenuers with reaching their goals. The new partnership is called the ''Blackstone LaunchPad TechStars Training Camp ''that will support top performing Blackstone LaunchPad ventures. More information about the new partnership can be found below:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad http://events.techstars.com/blackstone-launchpad]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;DISTINCT DIFFERENCES FROM OTHER OFFERINGS'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world.&amp;amp;nbsp;''LaunchPad''&amp;amp;nbsp;offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone Launchpad''&amp;amp;nbsp;as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 348.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
{| style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot; border=&amp;quot;0&amp;quot; cellpadding=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; cellspacing=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot; width=&amp;quot;525&amp;quot;&lt;br /&gt;
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| style=&amp;quot;width: 260.6666564941406px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
| style=&amp;quot;width: 259.3333435058594px; vertical-align: top&amp;quot; | &lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61504</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61504"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T21:39:40Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the Launch Pad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. Blackstone LaunchPad provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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= &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
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= Distinct Differences From Other Offerings =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world. ''LaunchPad'' offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using ''Blackstone Launchpad'' as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
|}&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61501</id>
		<title>Organization:Blackstone LaunchPad</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=Organization:Blackstone_LaunchPad&amp;diff=61501"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T21:37:21Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;div&gt;= Overview =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:BlackstoneLBL.jpg|frame]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium; text-align: right&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone is the world's largest alternative asset investment firm founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter George Peterson in 1985. Blackstone currently has $311 billion in assets under management, and released an initial public offering in 2007. From its own description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone is the world’s largest independent alternative asset manager, serving the investment needs of leading&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px; font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;public pension funds, academic and charitable institutions and other investors for more than 25 years.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;Our funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, customized hedge fund solution funds, credit-oriented funds and publicly traded closed-end mutual funds.&amp;amp;nbsp; In addition, we provide investment advice and management services to institutional investors through a variety of separately managed accounts. &amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The firm's culture of incorporating entreprenuerial elements began with the firm's founders and has continued to evolve through Blackstone's business units being very entrepreneurial in the way in which they provide solutions to their clients' needs. The Blackstone Charitable Foundation created the ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' organization in 2008 and was modeled after a successful entreprenurship program at the University of Miami. The&amp;amp;nbsp;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;campus-based&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;entrepreneurship program, accessible by over 600,000 students globally, designed to support and mentor students, staff and alumni - regardless of major, experience or discipline.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;This program is available mostly in economically depressed regions of California, Montana, Central Florida, Pennslyvania, Ohio and Michigan. Blackstone&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recently partnered with VentureBoard to supply services for the ''LaunchPad'' program.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;VentureBoard is two-sided 'Startup Data Platform', specifically oriented for universities and early stage startup ecosystems.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Purpose&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone's Charitable Foundation includes an &amp;quot;Entrepreneurship Initiative,&amp;quot; a part of which is their ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' program. &amp;amp;nbsp;From their description:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;blockquote&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;quot;Blackstone LaunchPad is a national model for fostering entrepreneurship through higher education. Based on a successful program at the&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.thelaunchpad.org/ University of Miami]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); line-height: 17px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;, it encourages entrepreneurial thinking and activity among undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and alumni for the purpose of incubating a new generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to the economic revitalization of distressed regions.&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/blockquote&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The main goal is to educate and &amp;quot;supercharge regional economies.&amp;quot; They do this by focusing on areas in which the entrepreneurial ecosystem is underdeveloped. They connect these regions with an influx of what they consider to be &amp;quot;high growth ventures&amp;quot; from students and building a network of already successful entrepreneurs around them.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;They have a simple incubation process:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;A young entrepreneur completes a profile that all members of the Launch Pad Community can access, and they complete a &amp;quot;Venture Assessment Form&amp;quot; that illustrates the details of their expected market, competitors, and the future of their product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Pair a student with a master entrepreneur to develop a business idea. These entrepreneurs can recognize great potential and they guide subjects through the rigorous process. The subject can meet regularly with the LaunchPad staff as well.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone does the networking and provides the student with the proper resources - they are able to meet a number of business leaders in their area to recieve additional mentorship. Partnerships are also formed with programs, firms, and investors in the area.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
#&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone helps bring their product to the market, and this creates new jobs in the area, leaving a lasting, sustainable network&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone Launchpad'' also has programs which work in regions that have some pre-existing entrepreneurial activity. They create what they call an &amp;quot;Innovation Hub&amp;quot; in this area to coordinate resources they already have and expand them to new territories.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone University Partnership Process&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad&amp;amp;nbsp;''looks for university campuses with significant size (population 15,000 students or more per campus). The organization assists at all levels within the university from students and alumni to faculty and staff in providing a entreprenuership-focused campus. Blackstone LaunchPad provides campuses with the initial stake in the ground that helps various departments on the campus engage and develop relationships to encourage entrepreneurship with the goal of optimizing campus resources in creating the most benefit.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;br/&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Distinct Differences From Other Offerings =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' is a unique resource for Universities because very few campus incubators are run by external resources. Typically, these incubators are somewhat limited to an alumni network and the resources they have to offer, where as ''Blackstone LaunchPad'' has a very diverse collection of Entrepreneurial Masters to educate, coach, and connect students with the rest of the entrepreneurial world. ''LaunchPad'' offers the networking and resources that come with being a leading global venture capital firm.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;One huge advantage to using ''Blackstone Launchpad'' as a resourse rather than one's university incubator is that the risk of a technology transfer, or the act of universities providing campus resources to students with the intentions of claiming ownership to intellectual property designed by students, is eliminated.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone also has a number of organizational grants, funding the growth of entrepreneurship across the country. Many of these organizations either promote entrepreneurial action, provide funding and support for existing entrepreneurs, or educate students about entrepreneurship.&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard: An Online Entrepreneurship Platform&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;VentureBoard is an online entrepreneurship platform for students, entrepreneurers, universities, and organizations.&amp;amp;nbsp; It is the basis of ''Blackstone Launchpad's'' website, and is also available as a stand-alone product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Universities and organizations that adopt VentureBoard are provided with a way to organize advising for students and aspiring (or current) entrepreneurers, as well as provide resources and track the progress and performance of their spin-offs and startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Students and entrepreneurers that use VentureBoard through such an institutuion have access to mentorship opportunities, as well as resources such as a business model canvas, closed discussion boards, a search option to find potential business partners or interested parties, and other contextual resources.&amp;amp;nbsp; Students and entrepreneurers can also express interest in seeking venture capital funding, alerting their mentor and institution so that they can provide potential connections.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Beyond Blackstone Launchpad, VentureBoard is currently used by University of Maryland College Park, NC State University and Duke University.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Ventureboard was created by Scott Block, Justin Searles, Avi Eisenberger and Jordan Goldstein, and students at the University of Maryland College Park.&amp;amp;nbsp; The platform evolved to fill a gap they perceived in the ability of entreperenurially-minded students at their school to connect with one another to form successful startups.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;More information can be found on VentureBoard's website, at &amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://ventureboard.co ventureboard.co]&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Impact On Students and Campus =&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[[File:Wiki Image.png]]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#ffffff&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;lt;/span&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Recent LaunchPad Successes:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color:#000000&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Q-Cigarettes&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Drew Park, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and a first-year master’s student at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, pitched his company's unique new treatment for tobacco dependence at&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; color: rgb(52, 52, 52); line-height: 1.3em&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wake Forest's 2014 Retail and Health Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize of $25,000. &amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''O'Dang Hummus -'''&amp;amp;nbsp;After winning $15,000 at a Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day, Jesse Wolfe, a University of Central Florida student, landed a deal with supermarket chain Publix, which will now carry his new salad dressing product.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Fever Smart -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''A Penn and Wharton collaboration, non-invasive fever monitoring technology: Fever Smart, won $10,000 at the first &amp;quot;Rise Above the Rest&amp;quot; student speed pitch competition.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Roar for Good -&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Wearable self-defense technologhy &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; raised over $260,000 on Kickstarter, receiving more than 4,000 orders from 47 countries around the world.&amp;amp;nbsp; &amp;quot;Roar for Good&amp;quot; will also compete for a $70,000 grand prize at the SBA InnovateHer Challenge Competition in March.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size: medium; font-family: georgia, serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;...and more! Click [https://blackstonelaunchpad.org/ here ]for more recent success stories.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Community Impact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: georgia, serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;''Blackstone LaunchPad'' not only helps budding entrepreneurs; it also aids the local economy surrounding the university the students are attending. The ventures that students create help increase the number of jobs available in the area, and expand the network of professionals in the region.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Nationwide &amp;amp; Statewide Impacts:'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''White House's Startup America Initiative- &amp;quot;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Startup America is a White House initiative that was launched to celebrate, inspire, and accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation&amp;quot; More details can be found at the website-&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;[http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america http://www.whitehouse.gov/economy/business/startup-america]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Largest grant of $3.5 million, over 100,000 students affected within California, 350,000 students nationwide involved in networks created&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership with University of Montana, Montana State University and Headwaters RC&amp;amp;D creating 200,000 person peer community which encompasses 150 new ventures and has generated hundreds of jobs&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Central Florida-&amp;amp;nbsp;'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership established with $1.4 million grant to UCF and U. Miami, focus on entrepreneurship education in respective universities&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania-'''Blackstone Charitable Foundation partnership est. with $3 million grant to Philadelphia and Temple University and University City Science Center, total of 40,836 students impacted&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio-'''&amp;amp;nbsp;Blackstone Charitable Foundation created annual $3.2 million contribution with Burton D. Morgan Foundation to be put towards numerous universities in Northeast Ohio, impacting over 72,000 students. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation invests in numerous entrepreneurially focused organizations and institutions to strengthen free enterprise&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New Economy Initiative (NEI)&amp;amp;nbsp;'''(Michigan)- $2 million contribution to boost employment and restart the economy specifically in Detroit after economic crises&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;[[File:Kent-State-Launchpad.jpg]]&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p style=&amp;quot;text-align: center;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:georgia,serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Launch Pad at Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
= &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:larger;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Schools and associations with Blackstone LaunchPad Program&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''California'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UCLA&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;UC Irvine&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;USC&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Florida'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Central Florida&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Michigan'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Wayne State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Walsh College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Montana'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University of Montana&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Montana State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Ohio'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Kent State University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Lorain County Community College&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Baldwin Wallace University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Case Western Reserve University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Pennsylvania'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Temple University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;University City Science Center&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
*&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Philadelphia University&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:medium;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;All of these schools offer the Blackstone LaunchPad program and interested students can follow the multi-step process listed above to get involved.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
== &amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:x-large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Sucess Stories:&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt; ==&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-size:large;&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Enter sucess stories here.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone LaunchPad Contact =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Alisha Slye - Global Director of Blackstone LaunchPad&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Email: Alisha.Slye@blackstone.com&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
= Blackstone Contact Information - Contact Us =&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As posted on [http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us http://www.blackstone.com/the-firm/overview/contact-us]&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subContentDetail&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;margin-top: 4px; width: 515px; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;subHeading&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&amp;lt;div class=&amp;quot;headerBottomSpaceText&amp;quot; style=&amp;quot;padding: 0px 0px 29px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(94, 94, 94); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''United States&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/div&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''New York'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5749&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 503 2100&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 503 6930&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 212 583 5799&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 212 583 5639&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/new-york-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Atlanta'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 404 460 2321&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 404 460 2337&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/atlanta Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Boston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 617 646 2900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 617 646 2905&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/boston-tbg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chicago&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 312 705 3070&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 312 705 3079&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/chicago Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;amp;nbsp;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dallas'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 214 661 8390&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 214 661 8395&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dallas Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Houston&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 713 358 1400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 713 358 1401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/houston Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Los Angeles&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 310 310 6949&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 310 310 6998&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/los-angeles Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Menlo Park&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 650 798 3800&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 650 798 3801&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/menlo-park Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;San Francisco&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +1 415 276 5900&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +1 415 276 5919&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/san-francisco Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Investor Relations'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 888 756 8443 (United States)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;+1 646 313 6590 (International)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[mailto:BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com BlackstoneInvestorRelations@blackstone.com]&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;font-family: Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''International&amp;amp;nbsp;'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''London'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7451 4001&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-bsg Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;GSO Capital Partners LP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +44 (0)20 7758 9000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +44 (0)20 7758 9098 or 9099&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-gso Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Park Hill Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax:&amp;amp;nbsp; +44 (0)20 7451 4091&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/london-park-hill Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Beijing'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 10 6649 (7300)&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7301) Private Equity&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 10 6649 (7310) Corporate Advisory&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/beijing Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dubai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0)4 401 9203&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0)4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dubai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Dublin'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Harbourmaster Capital Management Ltd&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +353 1 436 0100&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +353 1 436 0101&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dublin Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Düsseldorf'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Germany GmbH&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +49 211 8628400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +49 211 8628401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/dusseldorf Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Hong Kong'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group (HK) Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +852 3656 8600&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +852 3656 8601&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/hong-kong Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Istanbul'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +971 (0) 4 401 9203&amp;amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +971 (0) 4 401 9201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/istanbul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Mumbai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Advisors India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8531&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-advisors Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Blackstone Fund Services India Private Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +91 (0)22 6752 8520&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +91 (0)22 6752 8530&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/mumbai-fund-services Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Paris'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group International&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Partners LLP&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 30&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 16 31&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/paris Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Shanghai'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +86 21 6169 8188&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +86 21 6169 8189&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/shanghai Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Seoul'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Areof Services Limited&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +82 (2) 2198 2000&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +82 (2) 2198 2010&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/seoul Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Singapore'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Blackstone Real Estate Asia Pte Ltd.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +65 (6850) 7500&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/singapore Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Sydney'''&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +61 2 8016 7200&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +61 2 8016 7201&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/sydney Location &amp;amp; Directions]&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;'''Tokyo'''&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;span style=&amp;quot;color: rgb(0, 0, 0)&amp;quot;&amp;gt;The Blackstone Group Japan K.K.&amp;lt;/span&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Phone: +81 (03) 4577 8400&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;Fax: +81 (03) 4577 8401&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;[http://blackstone.com/the-firm/our-offices/tokyo Location &amp;amp; Directions]&lt;br /&gt;
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For general inquiries please contact [mailto:info@blackstone.com info@blackstone.com].&lt;br /&gt;
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If your inquiry is associated with your desire for a position at The Blackstone Group, please visit the&amp;amp;nbsp;[http://blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/careers.htm Careers]&amp;amp;nbsp;page.&lt;br /&gt;
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[[Category:Resources]]&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
	<entry>
		<id>https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Wiki_Image.png&amp;diff=61499</id>
		<title>File:Wiki Image.png</title>
		<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://universityinnovation.org/index.php?title=File:Wiki_Image.png&amp;diff=61499"/>
		<updated>2018-01-11T21:36:49Z</updated>

		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;RebeccaAbbott-McCune: Blackstone Launch Statistics&lt;/p&gt;
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&lt;div&gt;Blackstone Launch Statistics&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>RebeccaAbbott-McCune</name></author>
		
	</entry>
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