University Innovation Fellows - User contributions [en]

Priorities:Worcester polytechnic institute student priorities

2018-02-01T22:19:44Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= '''WPI Spring 2018 Priorities ''' =

'''Strategy #1: Streamline the first year student experience''' 
<div>1.1- create a mentor program for incoming students in which new students are paired with students in their major to learn about courses, registration, and life on campus </div><div>1.2- create a more detailed example course schedule for all four years for incoming students to view to give them more information about courses they need for their major.  </div><div>1.3- offer exploratory classes that count towards engineering electives, with rotating professors </div><div>1.4- Have big introductory lecture classes (such as calculus and physics) host guest speakers on different industries/majors </div><div>1.5- Host a "major fair" where incoming students can speak to other students and faculty about different majors and classes </div><div> </div><div>'''Strategy #2: Make the IQP Projects have more of an impact ''' </div><div>2.1- Have classes during ID 2050 that focus on entrepreneurship  </div><div>2.2- Have each IQP advisor encourage entrepreneurship </div><div>2.3- Allow IQP research to transition into MQP research </div><div> </div><div>'''Strategy #3: Make the MQP Projects last past graduation and be explored more in depth ''' </div><div>3.1- Have an advisory board of experts in the field review each project and point students in the right direction and show students resources  </div><div>3.2- Have a review board at the end of the project to identify key projects that have potential </div><div>3.3- Get more students working with businesses. Connect with the Center for Career Development about incorporating business connections into MQP </div><div>3.4- Allow campus clubs, faculty, and students the opportunity to carry on research </div><div> </div><div>'''Strategy #4: Create an art studio space for artists to explore their passions''' </div><div>4.1- Integrate art into engineering by creating projects focused on aesthetically pleasing engineering works and data science focused projects that study consumer needs </div><div>4.2- Create an art study space in Foisie Innovation Studios </div><div>4.3- Host sketching classes focused on engineering art </div><div>''' '''</div><div>'''Strategy #5: Create more resources for students and graduates to explore entrepreneurship and startups''' </div><div>5.1- Create a program for student-run businesses </div><div>5.2- Take away the "fear" of the world entrepreneurship and teach students what innovation really is </div><div>5.3- Host "internship-in-a-room" classes where students can connect with businesses and work on projects with them within a single class  </div>
= WPI Change Story 2017 =

{{#Widget:Youtube|id=_ZsPmj_ix2w}}

= WPI Project Pitch Video 2016 =

{{#Widget:Youtube|id=h6vIsnLmb6I}}

= WPI Fall 2017 Priorities =

Strategy #1 : Centralize I&E resources on campus and ensure optimal dissemination of information to stakeholders

1.1 - Create and update a database of I&E resources on campus, such as the Landscape Canvas Spreadsheet

1.2 - Design an efficient form of sharing I&E opportunities on the [https://www.facebook.com/wpi.edu/ school's social media] and communication channels

1.3 - Encourage staff, professors, and advisers to share resources with students

Strategy #2: Increase exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship by further integrating modules, courses into the daily lives of students

2.1 - Propose an ETR requirement for all majors

2.2 - Talk to professors about how they can better incorporate I&E into their courses

2.3 - Work with professors to allow former students to show how they have used the skills from the course in an innovative way

2.4 - Collect more data on the lifecycle of students who are required to take ETR courses

2.5 - Create more opportunities on campus for students to be innovative in all majors (like Hackathons are to Computer Science)

2.6 - KEEN Initiate helps create course modules that promote the entrepreneurial mindset in line with existing curriculum; depending on the course

Strategy #3: Motivate Students to Engage in Entrepreneurship Courses

3.1 - Educate students about existing entrepreneurship courses on campus and inform them of the benefits of taking them.

3.2 - Encourage students to take entrepreneurship courses by showing them how to integrate the courses into their schedules.

3.3 - Measure student satisfaction and outcomes from entrepreneurship courses to verify student learning and engagement, improve the courses, and use the data to show more students the benefits of taking the courses.

Strategy #4: Educate Students about the Entrepreneurial Spaces available on campus (Usefulness, Benefit etc):

4.1 - Create an awareness of the spaces on campus available for the purpose of innovative thinking.

4.2 -Employ professors whose job is to man these spaces and serve as an entrepreneurial advisor to students.

4.3 - Maintain a record of usage for the innovative spaces and students withhigh usage should be given a small reward for encouragement.

4.4 - Encourage and involve professors to use these spaces when working on unique projects.

4.5 - Conduct seasonal surveys to gain feedback about changes that need to be made and things that could be improved upon.

Strategy #5: Make Intellectual Property & Innovation Office resources and procedures more accessible to students

4.1 - Make a catalogue/presentation/video of WPI patent success stories

4.2 -Advertise catalogue/presentation/video in WPI classes at least in those within the School of Business. Advertise as well at relevant events that take place on campus.

4.3 - Have a clear process for obtaining a patent and make sure students know about it.

4.4 -Create an actual application for Tech Advisors Network

 '''WPI UIF Final Project Storytelling:'''

[https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject]

= WPI LaunchPad (formerly Test Kitchen) =

= WPI Pitch Competition =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>6-8 tangible milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Add underclassmen to the team of “Flight Crew” to ensure the longevity of the organization and continued involvement in efforts to improve the university</li>
<li>Establish a community of at least 500 students before the Foisie Innovation Studio is finished</li>
<li>Develop a number of self-sustaining teams</li>
<li>Establish a consistent schedule of meetings with the general body and community</li>
<li>Create an online interface for students to promote, develop, and finalize projects and ideas (such as the project community Partner)</li>
<li>Give students the chance to learn how to integrate Scrum Agile Business Practices into WPI curriculum and projects</li>
<li>Tap into the WPI MQP system by taking incompleted or projects in an early stage of development and supplying the teams.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Garner interest within the faculty to find a faculty sponsor.</li>
<li>Use new faculty resources to organize test event with the student activities office.</li>
<li>Find local on campus sponsors to get prizes to offer students in the first event to excite them and increase participation</li>
<li>During the first event have a successful WPI alumni (in the business field) talk about successful pitches, and what they are composed of</li>
<li>After initial trial, seek out larger more well known corporate sponsors to give prizes and help run event, also increasing student interest.</li>
<li>Hold full scale event, with marketing from WPI to get the word out to students</li>
<li>Look for full scale support and sponsorship from the school of business in order to ensure longevity and continuation in the future.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>

<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>
= Centralized Promotion of Campus Innovation Using Video =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Create a low cost prototype of the site</li>
<li>Identify first groups and events to spotlight</li>
<li>Produce first videos and share through different channels</li>
<li>Gauge campus response to video format</li>
<li>Use feedback to perfect the style of the videos</li>
<li>Utilize the platform to spread the word on events and other opportunities on campus</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Creation of user friendly website for access to information about entrepreneurial resources on campus =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Continue Cataloging all entrepreneurship as started in the UIF Program (April 2016)</li>
<li>Obtain WPI Institutional Review board permission to use a survey to gather information (April 2016)</li>
<li>Create and design a survey to find out what students/faculty want to see implemented in the website.  (May 2016)</li>
<li>Analyze the data from the survey and brainstorm ideas for the layout of the website as well as information that will be shown. (May 2016 - June 2016)</li>
<li>Speak to professors/staff with expertise in web design to begin to develop a schematic for the creation of the website. (June 2016 - July 2016)</li>
<li>Work with the Computer Science Department to use seniors to help build the website and count their progress towards their senior year project. (August 2016)</li>
<li>Beta test and debug the website using a small student population (March 2017)</li>
<li>Launch the website and have a launch party :) . (May 2017)</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Professor Evaluation database to assess active learning techniques utilized in the classroom. =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Obtain WPI Institutional Review board permission to use a survey to gather information(April 2016)</li>
<li>Design a survey to assess the levels of active learning used by professors in their respective classes. (May 2016)</li>
<li>Analyze the data and identify key areas that could use improvement. (June 2016-August 2016)</li>
<li>Form a student led group to lobby for the use of active learning techniques in the classroom (September 2016 - November 2016)</li>
<li>Meet with the head of each department to discuss the findings and create a contingency plan to implement changes in the curriculum. (December 2016- January 2017)</li>
<li>Design an action plan to get other professors involved with the committee and provide them with the resources they need to learn more about active learning. (May 2017)</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Related Links =

[http://universityinnovation.org/Worcester%20Polytechnic%20Institute Worcester Polytechnic Institute]

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

'''University Innovation Fellows'''

'''Spring 2018:'''

[[Tanner Gauthier|Tanner_Gauthier]]

'''Fall 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Abdulwahab_Alnajjar Abdulwahab Alnajjar]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Reynaldo_Duran Reynaldo Duran]

[https://app.novoed.com/#!/courses/stanford-uif-fall-2017/users/1315062 Valentina Zapata]

 '''Spring 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/Erin%20Esco Erin Esco]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Chisom_Okafor Chisom Okafor]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Marouane_Smaili Marouane Smaili]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Veronica_Soto Veronica Soto]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Rachel%20Welch Rachel Welch]

 Spring 2016:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Todd%20Alexander Todd Alexander]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Norma%20Bachman Norma Bachman]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Veda%20Booth Veda Booth]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Rashid%20Chatani Rashid Chatani]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Zack%20Ericson Zachary Ericson]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Derek%20Feehrer Derek Feehrer]
[http://universityinnovation.org/Alex%20Markoski Alex Markoski] [http://universityinnovation.org/Clara%20Merino Clara Merino] [http://universityinnovation.org/Vinny%20Sabo Vincent Sabo]</li> </ol></li> </ol></li>
</ol>

[[Category:Student Priorities|w]]

Priorities:Worcester polytechnic institute student priorities

2018-02-01T15:53:52Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= '''WPI Spring 2018 Priorities ''' =

'''Strategy #1: Streamline the first year student experience''' 
<div>1.1- create a mentor program for incoming students in which new students are paired with students in their major to learn about courses, registration, and life on campus </div><div>1.2- create a more detailed example course schedule for all four years for incoming students to view to give them more information about courses they need for their major.  </div><div> </div><div>Strategy #2: Make the IQP Projects have more of an impact  </div><div> </div><div>Strategy #3: Make the MQP Projects last past graduation and be explored more in depth  </div><div> </div><div>Strategy #4: Create an art studio space for artists to explore their passions </div><div> </div><div>Strategy #5: Create more resources for students and graduates to explore entrepreneurship and startups </div>
= WPI Change Story 2017 =

{{#Widget:Youtube|id=_ZsPmj_ix2w}}

= WPI Project Pitch Video 2016 =

{{#Widget:Youtube|id=h6vIsnLmb6I}}

= WPI Fall 2017 Priorities =

Strategy #1 : Centralize I&E resources on campus and ensure optimal dissemination of information to stakeholders

1.1 - Create and update a database of I&E resources on campus, such as the Landscape Canvas Spreadsheet

1.2 - Design an efficient form of sharing I&E opportunities on the [https://www.facebook.com/wpi.edu/ school's social media] and communication channels

1.3 - Encourage staff, professors, and advisers to share resources with students

Strategy #2: Increase exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship by further integrating modules, courses into the daily lives of students

2.1 - Propose an ETR requirement for all majors

2.2 - Talk to professors about how they can better incorporate I&E into their courses

2.3 - Work with professors to allow former students to show how they have used the skills from the course in an innovative way

2.4 - Collect more data on the lifecycle of students who are required to take ETR courses

2.5 - Create more opportunities on campus for students to be innovative in all majors (like Hackathons are to Computer Science)

2.6 - KEEN Initiate helps create course modules that promote the entrepreneurial mindset in line with existing curriculum; depending on the course

Strategy #3: Motivate Students to Engage in Entrepreneurship Courses

3.1 - Educate students about existing entrepreneurship courses on campus and inform them of the benefits of taking them.

3.2 - Encourage students to take entrepreneurship courses by showing them how to integrate the courses into their schedules.

3.3 - Measure student satisfaction and outcomes from entrepreneurship courses to verify student learning and engagement, improve the courses, and use the data to show more students the benefits of taking the courses.

Strategy #4: Educate Students about the Entrepreneurial Spaces available on campus (Usefulness, Benefit etc):

4.1 - Create an awareness of the spaces on campus available for the purpose of innovative thinking.

4.2 -Employ professors whose job is to man these spaces and serve as an entrepreneurial advisor to students.

4.3 - Maintain a record of usage for the innovative spaces and students withhigh usage should be given a small reward for encouragement.

4.4 - Encourage and involve professors to use these spaces when working on unique projects.

4.5 - Conduct seasonal surveys to gain feedback about changes that need to be made and things that could be improved upon.

Strategy #5: Make Intellectual Property & Innovation Office resources and procedures more accessible to students

4.1 - Make a catalogue/presentation/video of WPI patent success stories

4.2 -Advertise catalogue/presentation/video in WPI classes at least in those within the School of Business. Advertise as well at relevant events that take place on campus.

4.3 - Have a clear process for obtaining a patent and make sure students know about it.

4.4 -Create an actual application for Tech Advisors Network

 '''WPI UIF Final Project Storytelling:'''

[https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject]

= WPI LaunchPad (formerly Test Kitchen) =

= WPI Pitch Competition =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>6-8 tangible milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Add underclassmen to the team of “Flight Crew” to ensure the longevity of the organization and continued involvement in efforts to improve the university</li>
<li>Establish a community of at least 500 students before the Foisie Innovation Studio is finished</li>
<li>Develop a number of self-sustaining teams</li>
<li>Establish a consistent schedule of meetings with the general body and community</li>
<li>Create an online interface for students to promote, develop, and finalize projects and ideas (such as the project community Partner)</li>
<li>Give students the chance to learn how to integrate Scrum Agile Business Practices into WPI curriculum and projects</li>
<li>Tap into the WPI MQP system by taking incompleted or projects in an early stage of development and supplying the teams.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Garner interest within the faculty to find a faculty sponsor.</li>
<li>Use new faculty resources to organize test event with the student activities office.</li>
<li>Find local on campus sponsors to get prizes to offer students in the first event to excite them and increase participation</li>
<li>During the first event have a successful WPI alumni (in the business field) talk about successful pitches, and what they are composed of</li>
<li>After initial trial, seek out larger more well known corporate sponsors to give prizes and help run event, also increasing student interest.</li>
<li>Hold full scale event, with marketing from WPI to get the word out to students</li>
<li>Look for full scale support and sponsorship from the school of business in order to ensure longevity and continuation in the future.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>

<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>
= Centralized Promotion of Campus Innovation Using Video =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Create a low cost prototype of the site</li>
<li>Identify first groups and events to spotlight</li>
<li>Produce first videos and share through different channels</li>
<li>Gauge campus response to video format</li>
<li>Use feedback to perfect the style of the videos</li>
<li>Utilize the platform to spread the word on events and other opportunities on campus</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Creation of user friendly website for access to information about entrepreneurial resources on campus =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Continue Cataloging all entrepreneurship as started in the UIF Program (April 2016)</li>
<li>Obtain WPI Institutional Review board permission to use a survey to gather information (April 2016)</li>
<li>Create and design a survey to find out what students/faculty want to see implemented in the website.  (May 2016)</li>
<li>Analyze the data from the survey and brainstorm ideas for the layout of the website as well as information that will be shown. (May 2016 - June 2016)</li>
<li>Speak to professors/staff with expertise in web design to begin to develop a schematic for the creation of the website. (June 2016 - July 2016)</li>
<li>Work with the Computer Science Department to use seniors to help build the website and count their progress towards their senior year project. (August 2016)</li>
<li>Beta test and debug the website using a small student population (March 2017)</li>
<li>Launch the website and have a launch party :) . (May 2017)</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Professor Evaluation database to assess active learning techniques utilized in the classroom. =
<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Tangible Milestones<ol style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<li>Obtain WPI Institutional Review board permission to use a survey to gather information(April 2016)</li>
<li>Design a survey to assess the levels of active learning used by professors in their respective classes. (May 2016)</li>
<li>Analyze the data and identify key areas that could use improvement. (June 2016-August 2016)</li>
<li>Form a student led group to lobby for the use of active learning techniques in the classroom (September 2016 - November 2016)</li>
<li>Meet with the head of each department to discuss the findings and create a contingency plan to implement changes in the curriculum. (December 2016- January 2017)</li>
<li>Design an action plan to get other professors involved with the committee and provide them with the resources they need to learn more about active learning. (May 2017)</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>
= Related Links =

[http://universityinnovation.org/Worcester%20Polytechnic%20Institute Worcester Polytechnic Institute]

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

'''University Innovation Fellows'''

'''Spring 2018:'''

[[Tanner Gauthier|Tanner_Gauthier]]

'''Fall 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Abdulwahab_Alnajjar Abdulwahab Alnajjar]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Reynaldo_Duran Reynaldo Duran]

[https://app.novoed.com/#!/courses/stanford-uif-fall-2017/users/1315062 Valentina Zapata]

 '''Spring 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/Erin%20Esco Erin Esco]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Chisom_Okafor Chisom Okafor]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Marouane_Smaili Marouane Smaili]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Veronica_Soto Veronica Soto]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Rachel%20Welch Rachel Welch]

 Spring 2016:

[http://universityinnovation.org/Todd%20Alexander Todd Alexander]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Norma%20Bachman Norma Bachman]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Veda%20Booth Veda Booth]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Rashid%20Chatani Rashid Chatani]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Zack%20Ericson Zachary Ericson]

[http://universityinnovation.org/Derek%20Feehrer Derek Feehrer]
[http://universityinnovation.org/Alex%20Markoski Alex Markoski] [http://universityinnovation.org/Clara%20Merino Clara Merino] [http://universityinnovation.org/Vinny%20Sabo Vincent Sabo]</li> </ol></li> </ol></li>
</ol>

[[Category:Student Priorities|w]]

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T20:01:47Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

[[File:Professional photo .jpg|thumb|Professional photo .jpg|]]Sara Fitzpatrick is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She studies chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedicine. Sara is particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the application of research to product design. At WPI, Sara is the Secretary and Outreach Coordinator of Rotaract Club, a participant in the Sophomore Success Program, and an active member in the WPI chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a lifeguard, and a swim instructor. In her spare time, Sara enjoys swimming, playing tennis, reading, skate skiing, and paddle boarding.

Sara is originally from Scarborough, Maine, but moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to study engineering at WPI in 2016. There, she was introduced to the University Innovation Fellows program. Sara has always been interested in innovation and leadership and she has been working on integrating new ideas into her community since early adolescence. At WPI, Sara is particularly interested in incorporating student ideas into the workings of the classroom and expanding project opportunities for new students. 

[[Worcester Polytechnic Institute|Worcester_Polytechnic_Institute]]

[[Nicholas Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

[[Techstars|Techstars]]

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T19:47:21Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

[[File:Professional photo .jpg]]Sara Fitzpatrick is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She studies chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedicine. Sara is particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the application of research to product design. At WPI, Sara is the Secretary and Outreach Coordinator of Rotaract Club, a participant in the Sophomore Success Program, and an active member in the WPI chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a lifeguard, and a swim instructor. In her spare time, Sara enjoys swimming, playing tennis, reading, skate skiing, and paddle boarding.

Sara is originally from Scarborough, Maine, but moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to study engineering at WPI in 2016. There, she was introduced to the University Innovation Fellows program. Sara has always been interested in innovation and leadership and she has been working on integrating new ideas into her community since early adolescence. At WPI, Sara is particularly interested in incorporating student ideas into the workings of the classroom and expanding project opportunities for new students. 

[[Worcester Polytechnic Institute|Worcester_Polytechnic_Institute]]

[[Nicholas Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

[[Techstars|Techstars]]

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T19:44:12Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= Overview =

'''[[Techstars.com|Techstars]]''' is a global network that is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed, following the motto "Do More Faster". Their primary tool to help entrepreneurs succeed is their startup accelerator where they choose 300 companies per year, invest $120k, and connect each startup with mentors and a powerful network of resources to help them reach their goals. Their accelerator success rates are incredible. According to their website (as of 1/9/2017), they have supported 1274 companies, with 90% of them either active or acquired. Through their accelerator, they have raised over $4.4B, creating a market capitalization of the companies of over $11.4B. Business Insider analyzed the success rates of Techstars and found their failure rate to be only 6.15%, meaning that Techstars has been a tremendous success. Techstars has grown so much in the last couple of years that Business Insider claims that it is harder to be accepted into Techstars than it is to get into an ivy league school! 
[[File:Techstars Logo.png]]
In addition to their accelerator program, Techstars supports a wide variety of outlets to become involved in the startup community. Techstars hosts startup weekends across the United States and abroad where the participants experience first-hand the success, failures, and strain a startup goes through. They interact with a number of mentors, potential cofounders, and investors that help ideate problems and generate business from the ground-up. 

Finally, Techstars has corporate and network sponsorships that help connect the startup community to companies and influential mentors across the world. Techstars allows for companies to cultivate new startup accelerators. They highlight that this program can also help source fresh ideas through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

= Purpose/Background =

Techstars was started in 2006 with the plan to start a worldwide network of startups, mentors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture funds. By November of 2006, they had a team of top mentors including David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis. These individuals are some of the top investors and startup entrepreneurs. Today, the team has expanded to a number of board members and regional contacts- you can read about them [https://www.techstars.com/team/ here]. 

Additionally, here is a video of Brad Feld at Stanford, giving a talk titled, "Great Entrepreneurs Go Out and Do"
{{#Widget:Youtube|id=xf9k379a4Jo;}}
= How It Works  =

Techstars is a three month, highly selective program to make startups succeed quickly. The main goal is to connect startups with a network of professionals and resources so that their business can be a success. 

Step 1: the startup chooses 3-5 mentors to work with whose experience aligns with their goals. The startup works with these mentors and their managing director to accomplish specific goals designed to get the startup off the ground. 

Step 2: the startup creates a fundraising plan and prepares to meet with investors to aquire funding

Step 3: During Demo Day, the startup presents their work and hopefully launches their startup

Although the offical program ends at step 3, Techstars is a lifelong program. Startups continue to have access to the vast array of resources that Techstars offers for as long as they want. 

If the three month program does not appeal to you, Techstars also has 3 other programs to help entrepreneurs succeed. Startup digest is a magazine designed for entrepreneurs. Startup week is an entrepreneur led week to celebrate entrepreneurship in the community. Lastly, startup weekend is two days dedicated to learning how to start a business. 

= Integrating Techstars with UIF =

Techstars has a multitude of outlets to blend the best of UIF and entrepreneurship into one nugget. One avenue is for students to participate in a startup weekend event. Techstars hosts them across the United States, and you can find out specific locations and times [https://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ here]. On the first day, the participants meet, pitch ideas, and form teams - typically on a Friday night. The following day consists of ideating through the problem, meeting with mentors, and working on the project. The final day is presentation day! All of the groups pitch their startup to a panel of judges. To prep for the weekend, it might be good to have students think of problems in their daily lives to have ideas to pitch on the first day. In addition to attending an event, Techstars may be interested in having a university host a startup weekend. Contact one of the managing directors or regional Techstars team members to find out if this would be possible.  Another route to integrating Techstars with UIF is to host a Techstars Startup week. Here is a brief summary from the Techstars website:
<blockquote>'''''"Startup Week celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial communities in cities across the globe. Our mission is to develop and support thriving communities wherever they may exist. The best way to do this is to bring entrepreneurs together in a way that they can connect, share and bond."'''''</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;">'''''[[File:Techstars StartupWeek.PNG]]''''' </blockquote>
Techstars insists that a community of any size can host a Startup week and provides a webpage to [https://startupweek.co/apply/ apply online]. 

= =

= Contact Information =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-cbb3092c-e097-6803-3295-f292bb6b8ba5" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;"> Go to [https://www.techstars.com/contact/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.techstars.com/contact/]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;">to submit any requests or questions

[[Category:Resources]]

Student Contributors: 

[[Sara_Fitzpatrick|Sara_Fitzpatrick]]

[[Nicholas_Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T19:41:58Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

School:Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2018-01-10T19:37:04Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

== '''Overview''' ==

WPI is a campus fostered around project based learning, and applying these learned skills in the real world.  Although the school is based on applying skills to solve problems, there has not been widespread awareness about activities that are available on campus outside of the classroom. The programs and activities listed below outline some of the resources that students have both in and out of the classroom to make the most of their learning experience. Currently, a significant project promoting entrepreneurship is the Foisie Innovation Studio, under construction with the intent to complete by fall 2018.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vIsnLmb6I&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vIsnLmb6I&feature=youtu.be]

== '''Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship''' ==

=== '''Clubs & Organizations''' ===

'''1.    [https://www.wpi.edu/about/innovation-entrepreneurship/coaching-funding/cei Collaborative for Entrepreneurship and Innovation]'''

The CEI aids members of the WPI community in creating new products, companies, services and technologies by providing specifically targeted services, mentors, and other resources.  “The CEI was recognized in 2005 by Entrepreneur Magazine's TechknowledgePoint survey of entrepreneurial schools as a Top Ten entrepreneurship program among the nation's schools with an Entrepreneurship Emphasis.”

'''2.    [http://engineeringunleashed.com/keen/tag/wpi/ KEEN]'''

The Kern Family awarded WPI with $488,500 to facilitate the development of new programs aimed at enhancing the impact of WPI’s project-based approach to undergraduate education. The aim of the award is to help WPI “realize a strategic goal of infusing the undergraduate program with an entrepreneurial mindset," according to WPI president Laurie Leshin.

'''3.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/great-problems-seminar GPS]'''

The Great Problem Seminar (GPS) is an introductory course to university-level research and project work, focusing on themes of current global importance. They help first-year students develop the skills they’ll need to be successful in project work at WPI and in their future careers.

'''4.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/interactive-qualifying-project IQP]'''

The Interactive Qualifying Project is not organized as a course, nor is it related to the major. Instead, small teams of students work under the guidance of faculty members from all disciplines to conduct research, using social science methods, directed at a specific problem or need. Students deliver findings and recommendations through formal reports and oral presentations to project sponsors (often nonprofit, municipal, or government agencies) and faculty advisors. Sourced from WPI

The IQP allows students from different backgrounds to overcome challenges together.  They are given a situation, many times in a foreign country, and together they must develop a solution that best fits the needs of the time.

'''5.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/major-qualifying-project MQP]'''

The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) is WPI’s senior-year capstone project where students gain real-world design or research experience within their major field. Students have the guidance and support of faculty advisors and mentors while pursuing their own project. The project, once completed, is then presented for the whole WPI community to see. These projects often have the potential to continue to develop into potential business plans.      

'''6.    [https://www.techentrepreneurs.org/ Tech Entrepreneurship Club]'''

The Tech Entrepreneurs is WPI’s undergraduate entrepreneurship club which focuses on innovation and startups. They host a bi-weekly guest entrepreneur speaker series as well as workshops and other events.

'''7. [http://wpilaunchpad.strikingly.com/ LaunchPad]'''

WPI LaunchPad is a student-led organization empowering the WPI community to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and launch ideas into projects outside of the WPI curriculum.

=== ===

=== ===

=== '''Spaces''' ===

'''1. [http://collablab.wpi.edu/about CollabLab]'''

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

== '''Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship''' ==

'''1.    The WPI KEEN Program'''

The WPI KEEN Program helps train teachers to use active collaborative learning techniques in their classrooms in order to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in the undergraduate engineering students.

'''2.    Foisie Innovation Studio'''

The Foisie Innovation Studio is a brand new building project on campus, which scheduled to complete in the next few years. It combines a new dormitory with several floors of innovation space. It will hopefully contain a larger makerspace as well as various project spaces.

'''3.    MQP'''

== '''Actively supporting the University Technology Transfer function''' ==

'''1.    The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (IPI)'''

a.    The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (IPI) helps WPI students, faculty and staff take an idea from concept to market. The office helps to identify, evaluate, value and identify a market for intellectual property developed by the community. Additionally, the Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation will cover the cost of patenting the technology for a percentage of royalties, or in the case of a spin out royalties and a small percentage of the company. The IPI will also help negotiate licensing deals, manage royalties and fee distribution.

#The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation is revising the current intellectual property policy to make it more simple and easy to understand.
##[https://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IPI/Flowchart_OPI.pdf https://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IPI/Flowchart_OPI.pdf]
#Licensing
##The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation maintains a portfolio of patents currently available for license and actively tries to find a company to license the available technologies.

'''2. Tech Advisors Network'''

Provides advising and networking services in order to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Work closely with IPI office to assist students with patenting and other legal matters in addition to marketing and business-oriented pursuits.

== '''Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration''' ==

'''1.    National Grid'''

“The National Grid Engineering Ambassador Program is a leadership development program with an outreach mission that is sponsored by National Grid and run by WPI.” Undergraduate students develop leadership and communication skills through this program and by completing the National Grid Engineering Ambassador Program students will have preference for an internship with National Grid at the Sustainability Hub.

'''2.    MQP/IQP/GPS'''

a.    MQP (Major Qualifying Project)

This is WPI’s equivalent of the “senior year project”. Many students have the opportunity to work with members of a company or a research institution within their respective major. WPI has a lot of collaboration with both local and international companies to include

b.    IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project)

This is a project taken by juniors as a requirement to graduate. This is an interdisciplinary project that combines different areas of research and engineering and almost always sponsored by either a nonprofit organization or a company. This project immerses the student into a dynamic environment that utilizes information and techniques from various fields to solve problems.

c.    GPS (Great Problems Seminar)

This is a freshman level class designed to introduce incoming students about the problems in the world that need to be solved. Most of these projects feature getting basic necessities such as water to underprivileged populations and solving environmental issues such as pollution. There are many influential persons in industry that show up to the poster presentations about the progress that the students have made thus giving students a great networking opportunity with members in industry.

'''3.    Professional Societies'''

WPI offers more than 15 professional societies that cater to the diverse majors offered. A more comprehensive list of all of these societies can be found at wpi.orgsync.com/Student_Orgs by clicking on the “Professional Society” filter.

a.    IEEE

The IEEE Student branch at WPI gives students the opportunity to meet and learn from their peers and professors, especially those in the ECE field. After graduation IEEE GOLD (Graduates Of the Last Decade) aids recent graduates in networking and focusing on their career goals. Additionally, a networking dinner is held annually for ECE & RBE majors to meet with professionals from their field and make connections.

b.    BMES Chapter at WPI

“The WPI BMES Chapter is part of a national professional society that was started on February 1, 1968. The purpose of BMES is "To promote and enhance biomedical engineering knowledge worldwide and its utilization for the health and well-being of humankind."

Being in school for BME means you'll someday be in a professional environment as a BME. The goal of our chapter is to get you there by networking, mentoring, teaching and assisting each other, using each other’s strengths as biomedical engineers to build solid foundations for careers as biomedical engineers.”

 c. AIChE Chapter at WPI

The WPI Chapter at AIChE focuses on providing networking and learning opportunties to chemical engineering students beyond the classroom. It also connects chemical engineering students from different universities across the United States. AIChE provides information about the latest discoveries and advances in chemical engineering and helps to prepare students for their careers after university. 

 

== '''Engaging with Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts''' ==

'''1.    Technicopia'''

Technocopia is a non-profit makerspace located in downtown Worcester MA. they provide space, woodworking and soldering tools as well as 3D printers and laser cutters. They provide workshops and training sessions designed to educate the community on how to use different tools and softwares to help the design, build and test prototypes. They help local entrepreneurs as well as students take their ideas from a concept to a 3-d prototype.

[http://technocopia.org/ http://technocopia.org/]

'''2.    Cogmedx'''

It is a medical device manufacturing company. They help bring innovative ideas from conception to fruition by collaborating with other companies. Through this collaboration they help the ideas from entrepreneurs go from the concept stage to the commercializing the service or product stage.

[http://www.coghlincompanies.com/cogmedix.php http://www.coghlincompanies.com/cogmedix.php]

'''3.    Start up Worcester'''

This program supports young adults who have an entrepreneurial mindset as well as support new business to start up.  The Worcester regional chamber of conference is responsible for collaborating with Running Start to foster the growth of Startup Companies founded by students and graduates from colleges in the Worcester area.

'''[http://www.worcesterchamber.org/startup-worcester/ http://www.worcesterchamber.org/startup-worcester/]'''

'''4.    Running Start Worcester'''

Running Start Worcester is a coworking space that gives entrepreneurs, start-ups, and freelancers the opportunity to collaborate and communicate with each other.  This place created a comfortable and functional working environment for innovators from all backgrounds to use together.

[http://coworkinginworcester.com/ http://coworkinginworcester.com/]

'''5.    Worcester Clean Tech Incubator'''

Worcester CleanTech Incubator’s mission is to foster the growth of new enterprises to address the most pressing issues of our time.  We believe that entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of innovation and the key to society’s transition towards sustainability.  WCTI provides both the physical and network resources companies need to propel their ideas to market. Founded and operated by the Institute for Energy and Sustainability, we are a community in the heart of central Massachusetts dedicated to building change.  The WCTI facility, located in the Printers Building at 44 Portland Street in Worcester, provides over 10,000 square feet that offers private offices, co-working space, conference rooms, event space, and prototyping labs.  

'''6.     Gateway Park 2nd building'''

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) Gateway Park is a growing center of research, innovation, and commerce designed to help revitalize downtown Worcester. The Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center is a thriving center for graduate research and has state of the art laboratories, core facilities, and an incubator space for biotechnology start-ups. The Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center (BETC) helps train the workforce needed for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies.

'''7.     MBI Biotech startups'''

Massachusetts Business Initiative is a private, independent economic development organization that helps starts biomedical companies and creates jobs within the Biotechnology, Medical Device, Informatics, and Biomanufacturing industry. This is accomplished by providing secure, clean bench and sink surface, staff trained and fully licensed laboratory space for usage by “seed stage” companies.

'''8.      Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Central Regional Office (Clark University)'''

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout Massachusetts including an office at nearby Clark University by providing high-quality, in-depth advising, training, and capital access.

 

'''The Landscape Canvas'''

[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nmKc1Llmvuw7_f9At6VgA1C9_9gUgKeumppByRZBjz8/edit#gid=741918377 [2016]]

[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pBo6DdLTWMh4yF9Cti4hb2ykUo02LKhECbMdpdJQwWk/edit#gid=1 [2017]] - Spring

[[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZe66x8JRWUCKWa5Ian6lz3H9EJ2U_c6m-OZFJHEoxM/edit#gid=1610386034 2017]] - Fall

= Related Links =

'''- Worcester Polytechnic Institute'''

[[Worcester polytechnic institute student priorities|Worcester Polytechnic Student Priorities]] 2016

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Worcester_polytechnic_institute_student_priorities_UIF_Spring_2017 Worcester Polytechnic Student Priorities 2017]

'''Fall 2017 Change Project Website:'''

[https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject]

'''- University Innovation Fellows''' '''Fall 2018:'''

[[Sara Fitzpatrick|Sara_Fitzpatrick]]

[[Nicholas Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

'''Fall 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Abdulwahab_Alnajjar Abdulwahab Alnajjar]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Reynaldo_Duran Reynaldo Duran]

[https://app.novoed.com/#!/courses/stanford-uif-fall-2017/users/1315062 Valentina Zapata]

'''Spring 2017:'''

[[Erin Esco|Erin Esco]]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Chisom_Okafor Chisom Okafor]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Marouane_Smaili Marouane Smaili]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Veronica_Soto Veronica Soto]

[[Rachel Welch|Rachel Welch]]

'''Spring 2016:'''

[[Todd Alexander|Todd Alexander]]

[[Norma Bachman|Norma Bachman]]

[[Veda Booth|Veda Booth]]

[[Rashid Chatani|Rashid Chatani]]

[[Zack Ericson|Zachary Ericson]]

[[Derek Feehrer|Derek Feehrer]]

[[Alex Markoski|Alex Markoski]]

[[Clara Merino|Clara Merino]]

[[Vinny Sabo|Vincent Sabo]]

[[Category:Universities]]

School:Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2018-01-10T19:29:46Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

== '''Overview''' ==

WPI is a campus fostered around project based learning, and applying these learned skills in the real world.  Although the school is based on applying skills to solve problems, there has not been widespread awareness about activities that are available on campus outside of the classroom. The programs and activities listed below outline some of the resources that students have both in and out of the classroom to make the most of their learning experience. Currently, a significant project promoting entrepreneurship is the Foisie Innovation Studio, under construction with the intent to complete by fall 2018.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vIsnLmb6I&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6vIsnLmb6I&feature=youtu.be]

== '''Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship''' ==

=== '''Clubs & Organizations''' ===

'''1.    [https://www.wpi.edu/about/innovation-entrepreneurship/coaching-funding/cei Collaborative for Entrepreneurship and Innovation]'''

The CEI aids members of the WPI community in creating new products, companies, services and technologies by providing specifically targeted services, mentors, and other resources.  “The CEI was recognized in 2005 by Entrepreneur Magazine's TechknowledgePoint survey of entrepreneurial schools as a Top Ten entrepreneurship program among the nation's schools with an Entrepreneurship Emphasis.”

'''2.    [http://engineeringunleashed.com/keen/tag/wpi/ KEEN]'''

The Kern Family awarded WPI with $488,500 to facilitate the development of new programs aimed at enhancing the impact of WPI’s project-based approach to undergraduate education. The aim of the award is to help WPI “realize a strategic goal of infusing the undergraduate program with an entrepreneurial mindset," according to WPI president Laurie Leshin.

'''3.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/great-problems-seminar GPS]'''

The Great Problem Seminar (GPS) is an introductory course to university-level research and project work, focusing on themes of current global importance. They help first-year students develop the skills they’ll need to be successful in project work at WPI and in their future careers.

'''4.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/interactive-qualifying-project IQP]'''

The Interactive Qualifying Project is not organized as a course, nor is it related to the major. Instead, small teams of students work under the guidance of faculty members from all disciplines to conduct research, using social science methods, directed at a specific problem or need. Students deliver findings and recommendations through formal reports and oral presentations to project sponsors (often nonprofit, municipal, or government agencies) and faculty advisors. Sourced from WPI

The IQP allows students from different backgrounds to overcome challenges together.  They are given a situation, many times in a foreign country, and together they must develop a solution that best fits the needs of the time.

'''5.    [https://www.wpi.edu/academics/undergraduate/major-qualifying-project MQP]'''

The Major Qualifying Project (MQP) is WPI’s senior-year capstone project where students gain real-world design or research experience within their major field. Students have the guidance and support of faculty advisors and mentors while pursuing their own project. The project, once completed, is then presented for the whole WPI community to see. These projects often have the potential to continue to develop into potential business plans.      

'''6.    [https://www.techentrepreneurs.org/ Tech Entrepreneurship Club]'''

The Tech Entrepreneurs is WPI’s undergraduate entrepreneurship club which focuses on innovation and startups. They host a bi-weekly guest entrepreneur speaker series as well as workshops and other events.

'''7. [http://wpilaunchpad.strikingly.com/ LaunchPad]'''

WPI LaunchPad is a student-led organization empowering the WPI community to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and launch ideas into projects outside of the WPI curriculum.

=== ===

=== ===

=== '''Spaces''' ===

'''1. [http://collablab.wpi.edu/about CollabLab]'''

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

=== ===

== '''Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship''' ==

'''1.    The WPI KEEN Program'''

The WPI KEEN Program helps train teachers to use active collaborative learning techniques in their classrooms in order to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in the undergraduate engineering students.

'''2.    Foisie Innovation Studio'''

The Foisie Innovation Studio is a brand new building project on campus, which scheduled to complete in the next few years. It combines a new dormitory with several floors of innovation space. It will hopefully contain a larger makerspace as well as various project spaces.

'''3.    MQP'''

== '''Actively supporting the University Technology Transfer function''' ==

'''1.    The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (IPI)'''

a.    The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (IPI) helps WPI students, faculty and staff take an idea from concept to market. The office helps to identify, evaluate, value and identify a market for intellectual property developed by the community. Additionally, the Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation will cover the cost of patenting the technology for a percentage of royalties, or in the case of a spin out royalties and a small percentage of the company. The IPI will also help negotiate licensing deals, manage royalties and fee distribution.

#The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation is revising the current intellectual property policy to make it more simple and easy to understand.
##[https://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IPI/Flowchart_OPI.pdf https://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IPI/Flowchart_OPI.pdf]
#Licensing
##The Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation maintains a portfolio of patents currently available for license and actively tries to find a company to license the available technologies.

'''2. Tech Advisors Network'''

Provides advising and networking services in order to support innovators and entrepreneurs. Work closely with IPI office to assist students with patenting and other legal matters in addition to marketing and business-oriented pursuits.

== '''Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration''' ==

'''1.    National Grid'''

“The National Grid Engineering Ambassador Program is a leadership development program with an outreach mission that is sponsored by National Grid and run by WPI.” Undergraduate students develop leadership and communication skills through this program and by completing the National Grid Engineering Ambassador Program students will have preference for an internship with National Grid at the Sustainability Hub.

'''2.    MQP/IQP/GPS'''

a.    MQP (Major Qualifying Project)

This is WPI’s equivalent of the “senior year project”. Many students have the opportunity to work with members of a company or a research institution within their respective major. WPI has a lot of collaboration with both local and international companies to include

b.    IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project)

This is a project taken by juniors as a requirement to graduate. This is an interdisciplinary project that combines different areas of research and engineering and almost always sponsored by either a nonprofit organization or a company. This project immerses the student into a dynamic environment that utilizes information and techniques from various fields to solve problems.

c.    GPS (Great Problems Seminar)

This is a freshman level class designed to introduce incoming students about the problems in the world that need to be solved. Most of these projects feature getting basic necessities such as water to underprivileged populations and solving environmental issues such as pollution. There are many influential persons in industry that show up to the poster presentations about the progress that the students have made thus giving students a great networking opportunity with members in industry.

'''3.    Professional Societies'''

WPI offers more than 15 professional societies that cater to the diverse majors offered. A more comprehensive list of all of these societies can be found at wpi.orgsync.com/Student_Orgs by clicking on the “Professional Society” filter.

a.    IEEE

The IEEE Student branch at WPI gives students the opportunity to meet and learn from their peers and professors, especially those in the ECE field. After graduation IEEE GOLD (Graduates Of the Last Decade) aids recent graduates in networking and focusing on their career goals. Additionally, a networking dinner is held annually for ECE & RBE majors to meet with professionals from their field and make connections.

b.    BMES Chapter at WPI

“The WPI BMES Chapter is part of a national professional society that was started on February 1, 1968. The purpose of BMES is "To promote and enhance biomedical engineering knowledge worldwide and its utilization for the health and well-being of humankind."

Being in school for BME means you'll someday be in a professional environment as a BME. The goal of our chapter is to get you there by networking, mentoring, teaching and assisting each other, using each other’s strengths as biomedical engineers to build solid foundations for careers as biomedical engineers.”

 c. AIChE Chapter at WPI

The WPI Chapter at AIChE focuses on providing networking and learning opportunties to chemical engineering students beyond the classroom. It also connects chemical engineering students from different universities across the United States. AIChE provides information about the latest discoveries and advances in chemical engineering and helps to prepare students for their careers after university. 

 

== '''Engaging with Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts''' ==

'''1.    Technicopia'''

Technocopia is a non-profit makerspace located in downtown Worcester MA. they provide space, woodworking and soldering tools as well as 3D printers and laser cutters. They provide workshops and training sessions designed to educate the community on how to use different tools and softwares to help the design, build and test prototypes. They help local entrepreneurs as well as students take their ideas from a concept to a 3-d prototype.

[http://technocopia.org/ http://technocopia.org/]

'''2.    Cogmedx'''

It is a medical device manufacturing company. They help bring innovative ideas from conception to fruition by collaborating with other companies. Through this collaboration they help the ideas from entrepreneurs go from the concept stage to the commercializing the service or product stage.

[http://www.coghlincompanies.com/cogmedix.php http://www.coghlincompanies.com/cogmedix.php]

'''3.    Start up Worcester'''

This program supports young adults who have an entrepreneurial mindset as well as support new business to start up.  The Worcester regional chamber of conference is responsible for collaborating with Running Start to foster the growth of Startup Companies founded by students and graduates from colleges in the Worcester area.

'''[http://www.worcesterchamber.org/startup-worcester/ http://www.worcesterchamber.org/startup-worcester/]'''

'''4.    Running Start Worcester'''

Running Start Worcester is a coworking space that gives entrepreneurs, start-ups, and freelancers the opportunity to collaborate and communicate with each other.  This place created a comfortable and functional working environment for innovators from all backgrounds to use together.

[http://coworkinginworcester.com/ http://coworkinginworcester.com/]

'''5.    Worcester Clean Tech Incubator'''

Worcester CleanTech Incubator’s mission is to foster the growth of new enterprises to address the most pressing issues of our time.  We believe that entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of innovation and the key to society’s transition towards sustainability.  WCTI provides both the physical and network resources companies need to propel their ideas to market. Founded and operated by the Institute for Energy and Sustainability, we are a community in the heart of central Massachusetts dedicated to building change.  The WCTI facility, located in the Printers Building at 44 Portland Street in Worcester, provides over 10,000 square feet that offers private offices, co-working space, conference rooms, event space, and prototyping labs.  

'''6.     Gateway Park 2nd building'''

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) Gateway Park is a growing center of research, innovation, and commerce designed to help revitalize downtown Worcester. The Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center is a thriving center for graduate research and has state of the art laboratories, core facilities, and an incubator space for biotechnology start-ups. The Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center (BETC) helps train the workforce needed for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies.

'''7.     MBI Biotech startups'''

Massachusetts Business Initiative is a private, independent economic development organization that helps starts biomedical companies and creates jobs within the Biotechnology, Medical Device, Informatics, and Biomanufacturing industry. This is accomplished by providing secure, clean bench and sink surface, staff trained and fully licensed laboratory space for usage by “seed stage” companies.

'''8.      Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network Central Regional Office (Clark University)'''

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout Massachusetts including an office at nearby Clark University by providing high-quality, in-depth advising, training, and capital access.

 

'''The Landscape Canvas'''

[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nmKc1Llmvuw7_f9At6VgA1C9_9gUgKeumppByRZBjz8/edit#gid=741918377 [2016]]

[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pBo6DdLTWMh4yF9Cti4hb2ykUo02LKhECbMdpdJQwWk/edit#gid=1 [2017]] - Spring

[[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fZe66x8JRWUCKWa5Ian6lz3H9EJ2U_c6m-OZFJHEoxM/edit#gid=1610386034 2017]] - Fall

= Related Links =

'''- Worcester Polytechnic Institute'''

[[Worcester polytechnic institute student priorities|Worcester Polytechnic Student Priorities]] 2016

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Worcester_polytechnic_institute_student_priorities_UIF_Spring_2017 Worcester Polytechnic Student Priorities 2017]

'''Fall 2017 Change Project Website:'''

[https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject https://aaalnajjar.wixsite.com/finalchangeproject]

'''- University Innovation Fellows'''
'''Fall 2018:'''

[[Sara_Fitzpatrick|Sara_Fitzpatrick]]

[[Nicholas_Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

'''Fall 2017:'''

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Abdulwahab_Alnajjar Abdulwahab Alnajjar]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Reynaldo_Duran Reynaldo Duran]

[https://app.novoed.com/#!/courses/stanford-uif-fall-2017/users/1315062 Valentina Zapata]

'''Spring 2017:'''

[[Erin Esco|Erin Esco]]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Chisom_Okafor Chisom Okafor]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Marouane_Smaili Marouane Smaili]

[http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Veronica_Soto Veronica Soto]

[[Rachel Welch|Rachel Welch]]

'''Spring 2016:'''

[[Todd Alexander|Todd Alexander]]

[[Norma Bachman|Norma Bachman]]

[[Veda Booth|Veda Booth]]

[[Rashid Chatani|Rashid Chatani]]

[[Zack Ericson|Zachary Ericson]]

[[Derek Feehrer|Derek Feehrer]]

[[Alex Markoski|Alex Markoski]]

[[Clara Merino|Clara Merino]]

[[Vinny Sabo|Vincent Sabo]]

[[Category:Universities]]

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T19:21:30Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

[[File:Professional photo .jpg]]Sara Fitzpatrick is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She studies chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedicine. Sara is particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the application of research to product design. At WPI, Sara is the Secretary and Outreach Coordinator of Rotaract Club, a participant in the Sophomore Success Program, and an active member in the WPI chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a lifeguard, and a swim instructor. In her spare time, Sara enjoys swimming, playing tennis, reading, skate skiing, and paddle boarding.

Sara is originally from Scarborough, Maine, but moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to study engineering at WPI in 2016. There, she was introduced to the University Innovation Fellows program. Sara has always been interested in innovation and leadership and she has been working on integrating new ideas into her community since early adolescence. At WPI, Sara is particularly interested in incorporating student ideas into the workings of the classroom and expanding project opportunities for new students. 

[[Worcester_Polytechnic_Institute|Worcester_Polytechnic_Institute]]

[[Nicholas_Kratovil|Nicholas_Kratovil]]

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T19:16:28Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

[[File:Professional photo .jpg]]Sara Fitzpatrick is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She studies chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedicine. Sara is particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the application of research to product design. At WPI, Sara is the Secretary and Outreach Coordinator of Rotaract Club, a participant in the Sophomore Success Program, and an active member in the WPI chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a lifeguard, and a swim instructor. In her spare time, Sara enjoys swimming, playing tennis, reading, skate skiing, and paddle boarding.

Sara is originally from Scarborough, Maine, but moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to study engineering at WPI in 2016. There, she was introduced to the University Innovation Fellows program. Sara has always been interested in innovation and leadership and she has been working on integrating new ideas into her community since early adolescence. At WPI, Sara is particularly interested in incorporating student ideas into the workings of the classroom and expanding project opportunities for new students.

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T19:15:16Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

File:Professional photo .jpg

2018-01-10T19:10:32Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T17:24:23Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

Sara Fitzpatrick is a University Innovation Fellow candidate and an undergraduate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She studies chemical engineering with a concentration in biomedicine. Sara is particularly interested in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and the application of research to product design. At WPI, Sara is the Secretary and Outreach Coordinator of Rotaract Club, a participant in the Sophomore Success Program, and an active member in the WPI chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. She is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician, a lifeguard, and a swim instructor. In her spare time, Sara enjoys swimming, playing tennis, reading, skate skiing, and paddle boarding.

Sara is originally from Scarborough, Maine, but moved to Worcester, Massachusetts to study engineering at WPI in 2016. There, she was introduced to the University Innovation Fellows program. Sara has always been interested in innovation and leadership and she has been working on integrating new ideas into her community since early adolescence. At WPI, Sara is particularly interested in incorporating student ideas into the workings of the classroom and expanding project opportunities for new students. 

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T15:39:09Z

Sarafitzpatrick: Blanked the page

Fellow:Sara Fitzpatrick

2018-01-10T15:38:38Z

Sarafitzpatrick: Created page with "<strike></strike> Sara is originally from Scarborough Maine, where she lived until becoming a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. "

<strike></strike>

Sara is originally from Scarborough Maine, where she lived until becoming a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T15:23:46Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T15:23:30Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= Overview =

'''[[Techstars.com|Techstars]]''' is a global network that is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed, following the motto "Do More Faster". Their primary tool to help entrepreneurs succeed is their startup accelerator where they choose 300 companies per year, invest $120k, and connect each startup with mentors and a powerful network of resources to help them reach their goals. Their accelerator success rates are incredible. According to their website (as of 1/9/2017), they have supported 1274 companies, with 90% of them either active or acquired. Through their accelerator, they have raised over $4.4B, creating a market capitalization of the companies of over $11.4B. Business Insider analyzed the success rates of Techstars and found their failure rate to be only 6.15%, meaning that Techstars has been a tremendous success. Techstars has grown so much in the last couple of years that Business Insider claims that it is harder to be accepted into Techstars than it is to get into an ivy league school! 
[[File:Techstars Logo.png]]
In addition to their accelerator program, Techstars supports a wide variety of outlets to become involved in the startup community. Techstars hosts startup weekends across the United States and abroad where the participants experience first-hand the success, failures, and strain a startup goes through. They interact with a number of mentors, potential cofounders, and investors that help ideate problems and generate business from the ground-up. 

Finally, Techstars has corporate and network sponsorships that help connect the startup community to companies and influential mentors across the world. Techstars allows for companies to cultivate new startup accelerators. They highlight that this program can also help source fresh ideas through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

= Purpose/Background =

Techstars was started in 2006 with the plan to start a worldwide network of startups, mentors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture funds. By November of 2006, they had a team of top mentors including David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis. These individuals are some of the top investors and startup entrepreneurs. Today, the team has expanded to a number of board members and regional contacts- you can read about them [https://www.techstars.com/team/ here]. 

Additionally, here is a video of Brad Feld at Stanford, giving a talk titled, "Great Entrepreneurs Go Out and Do"
{{#Widget:Youtube|id=xf9k379a4Jo;}}
= How It Works  =

Techstars is a three month, highly selective program to make startups succeed quickly. The main goal is to connect startups with a network of professionals and resources so that their business can be a success. 

Step 1: the startup chooses 3-5 mentors to work with whose experience aligns with their goals. The startup works with these mentors and their managing director to accomplish specific goals designed to get the startup off the ground. 

Step 2: the startup creates a fundraising plan and prepares to meet with investors to aquire funding

Step 3: During Demo Day, the startup presents their work and hopefully launches their startup

Although the offical program ends at step 3, Techstars is a lifelong program. Startups continue to have access to the vast array of resources that Techstars offers for as long as they want. 

If the 3 month program does not appeal to you, Techstars also has 3 other programs to help entrepreneurs succeed. Startup digest is a magazine designed for entrepreneurs. Startup week is an entrepreneur led week to celebrate entrepreneurship in the community. Lastly, startup weekend is two days dedicated to learning how to start a business. 

= Integrating Techstars with UIF =

Techstars has a multitude of outlets to blend the best of UIF and entrepreneurship into one nugget. One avenue is for students to participate in a startup weekend event. Techstars hosts them across the United States, and you can find out specific locations and times [https://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ here]. On the first day, the participants meet, pitch ideas, and form teams - typically on a Friday night. The following day consists of ideating through the problem, meeting with mentors, and working on the project. The final day is presentation day! All of the groups pitch their startup to a panel of judges. To prep for the weekend, it might be good to have students think of problems in their daily lives to have ideas to pitch on the first day. In addition to attending an event, Techstars may be interested in having a university host a startup weekend. Contact one of the managing directors or regional Techstars team members to find out if this would be possible.  Another route to integrating Techstars with UIF is to host a Techstars Startup week. Here is a brief summary from the Techstars website:
<blockquote>'''''"Startup Week celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial communities in cities across the globe. Our mission is to develop and support thriving communities wherever they may exist. The best way to do this is to bring entrepreneurs together in a way that they can connect, share and bond."'''''</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;">'''''[[File:Techstars StartupWeek.PNG]]''''' </blockquote>
Techstars insists that a community of any size can host a Startup week and provides a webpage to [https://startupweek.co/apply/ apply online]. 

= =

= Contact Information =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-cbb3092c-e097-6803-3295-f292bb6b8ba5" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;"> Go to [https://www.techstars.com/contact/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.techstars.com/contact/]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;">to submit any requests or questions

[[Category:Resources]]

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T15:15:31Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= Overview =

'''[[Techstars.com|Techstars]]''' is a global network that is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed, following the motto "Do More Faster". Their primary tool to help entrepreneurs succeed is their startup accelerator where they choose 300 companies per year, invest $120k, and connect each startup with mentors and a powerful network of resources to help them reach their goals. Their accelerator success rates are incredible. According to their website (as of 1/9/2017), they have supported 1274 companies, with 90% of them either active or acquired. Through their accelerator, they have raised over $4.4B, creating a market capitalization of the companies of over $11.4B. Business Insider analyzed the success rates of Techstars and found their failure rate to be only 6.15%, meaning that Techstars has been a tremendous success. Techstars has grown so much in the last couple of years that Business Insider claims that it is harder to be accepted into Techstars than it is to get into an ivy league school! 
[[File:Techstars Logo.png]]
In addition to their accelerator program, Techstars supports a wide variety of outlets to become involved in the startup community. Techstars hosts startup weekends across the United States and abroad where the participants experience first-hand the success, failures, and strain a startup goes through. They interact with a number of mentors, potential cofounders, and investors that help ideate problems and generate business from the ground-up. 

Finally, Techstars has corporate and network sponsorships that help connect the startup community to companies and influential mentors across the world. Techstars allows for companies to cultivate new startup accelerators. They highlight that this program can also help source fresh ideas through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

= Purpose/Background =

Techstars was started in 2006 with the plan to start a worldwide network of startups, mentors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture funds. By November of 2006, they had a team of top mentors including David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis. These individuals are some of the top investors and startup entrepreneurs. Today, the team has expanded to a number of board members and regional contacts- you can read about them [https://www.techstars.com/team/ here]. 

Additionally, here is a video of Brad Feld at Stanford, giving a talk titled, "Great Entrepreneurs Go Out and Do"
{{#Widget:Youtube|id=xf9k379a4Jo;}}
= How It Works  =

= Integrating Techstars with UIF =

Techstars has a multitude of outlets to blend the best of UIF and entrepreneurship into one nugget. One avenue is for students to participate in a startup weekend event. Techstars hosts them across the United States, and you can find out specific locations and times [https://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ here]. On the first day, the participants meet, pitch ideas, and form teams - typically on a Friday night. The following day consists of ideating through the problem, meeting with mentors, and working on the project. The final day is presentation day! All of the groups pitch their startup to a panel of judges. To prep for the weekend, it might be good to have students think of problems in their daily lives to have ideas to pitch on the first day. In addition to attending an event, Techstars may be interested in having a university host a startup weekend. Contact one of the managing directors or regional Techstars team members to find out if this would be possible.  Another route to integrating Techstars with UIF is to host a Techstars Startup week. Here is a brief summary from the Techstars website:
<blockquote>'''''"Startup Week celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial communities in cities across the globe. Our mission is to develop and support thriving communities wherever they may exist. The best way to do this is to bring entrepreneurs together in a way that they can connect, share and bond."'''''</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;">'''''[[File:Techstars StartupWeek.PNG]]''''' </blockquote>
Techstars insists that a community of any size can host a Startup week and provides a webpage to [https://startupweek.co/apply/ apply online]. 

= =

= Contact Information =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-cbb3092c-e097-6803-3295-f292bb6b8ba5" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;"> Go to [https://www.techstars.com/contact/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.techstars.com/contact/]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;">to submit any requests or questions

[[Category:Resources]]

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T15:14:11Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= Overview =

'''[[Techstars.com|Techstars]]''' is a global network that is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed, following the motto "Do More Faster". Their primary tool to help entrepreneurs succeed is their startup accelerator where they choose 300 companies per year, invest $120k, and connect each startup with mentors and a powerful network of resources to help them reach their goals. Their accelerator success rates are incredible. According to their website (as of 1/9/2017), they have supported 1274 companies, with 90% of them either active or acquired. Through their accelerator, they have raised over $4.4B, creating a market capitalization of the companies of over $11.4B. Business Insider analyzed the success rates of Techstars and found their failure rate to be only 6.15%, meaning that Techstars has been a tremendous success. Techstars has grown so much in the last couple of years that Business Insider claims that it is harder to be accepted into Techstars than it is to get into an ivy league school! 
[[File:Techstars Logo.png]]
In addition to their accelerator program, Techstars supports a wide variety of outlets to become involved in the startup community. Techstars hosts startup weekends across the United States and abroad where the participants experience first-hand the success, failures, and strain a startup goes through. They interact with a number of mentors, potential cofounders, and investors that help ideate problems and generate business from the ground-up. 

Finally, Techstars has corporate and network sponsorships that help connect the startup community to companies and influential mentors across the world. Techstars allows for companies to cultivate new startup accelerators. They highlight that this program can also help source fresh ideas through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

= Purpose/Background =

Techstars was started in 2006 with the plan to start a worldwide network of startups, mentors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture funds. By November of 2006, they had a team of top mentors including David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis. These individuals are some of the top investors and startup entrepreneurs. Today, the team has expanded to a number of board members and regional contacts- you can read about them [https://www.techstars.com/team/ here]. 

Additionally, here is a video of Brad Feld at Stanford, giving a talk titled, "Great Entrepreneurs Go Out and Do"
{{#Widget:Youtube|id=xf9k379a4Jo;}}
= =

= Integrating Techstars with UIF =

Techstars has a multitude of outlets to blend the best of UIF and entrepreneurship into one nugget. One avenue is for students to participate in a startup weekend event. Techstars hosts them across the United States, and you can find out specific locations and times [https://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ here]. On the first day, the participants meet, pitch ideas, and form teams - typically on a Friday night. The following day consists of ideating through the problem, meeting with mentors, and working on the project. The final day is presentation day! All of the groups pitch their startup to a panel of judges. To prep for the weekend, it might be good to have students think of problems in their daily lives to have ideas to pitch on the first day. In addition to attending an event, Techstars may be interested in having a university host a startup weekend. Contact one of the managing directors or regional Techstars team members to find out if this would be possible.  Another route to integrating Techstars with UIF is to host a Techstars Startup week. Here is a brief summary from the Techstars website:
<blockquote>'''''"Startup Week celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial communities in cities across the globe. Our mission is to develop and support thriving communities wherever they may exist. The best way to do this is to bring entrepreneurs together in a way that they can connect, share and bond."'''''</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;">'''''[[File:Techstars StartupWeek.PNG]]''''' </blockquote>
Techstars insists that a community of any size can host a Startup week and provides a webpage to [https://startupweek.co/apply/ apply online]. 

= =

= Contact Information =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-cbb3092c-e097-6803-3295-f292bb6b8ba5" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;"> Go to [https://www.techstars.com/contact/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.techstars.com/contact/]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;">to submit any requests or questions

[[Category:Resources]]

Organization:Techstars

2018-01-10T15:05:56Z

Sarafitzpatrick:

= Overview =

'''[[Techstars.com|Techstars]]''' is a global network that is designed to help entrepreneurs succeed. Their primary tool to help entrepreneurs succeed is their startup accelerator - they choose 300 companies per year, invest $120k, and connect them with mentors to support their startups. Their accelerator success rates are incredible. According to their website (as of 1/9/2017), they have supported 1274 companies, with 90% of them either active or acquired. Through their accelerator, they have raised over $4.4B, creating a market capitalization of the companies of over $11.4B.
[[File:Techstars Logo.png]]
In addition to their accelerator program, Techstars supports a wide variety of outlets to become involved in the startup community. Techstars hosts startup weekends across the United States and abroad where the participants experience first-hand the success, failures, and strain a startup goes through. They interact with a number of mentors, potential cofounders, and investors that help ideate problems and generate business from the ground-up. 

Finally, Techstars has corporate and network sponsorships that help connect the startup community to companies and influential mentors across the world. Techstars allows for companies to cultivate new startup accelerators. They highlight that this program can also help source fresh ideas through mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

= Purpose/Background =

Techstars was started in 2006 with the plan to start a worldwide network of startups, mentors, corporations, entrepreneurs, and venture funds. By November of 2006, they had a team of top mentors including David Cohen, David Brown, Brad Feld, and Jared Polis. These individuals are some of the top investors and startup entrepreneurs. Today, the team has expanded to a number of board members and regional contacts- you can read about them [https://www.techstars.com/team/ here]. 

Additionally, here is a video of Brad Feld at Stanford, giving a talk titled, "Great Entrepreneurs Go Out and Do"
{{#Widget:Youtube|id=xf9k379a4Jo;}}
= =

= Integrating Techstars with UIF =

Techstars has a multitude of outlets to blend the best of UIF and entrepreneurship into one nugget. One avenue is for students to participate in a startup weekend event. Techstars hosts them across the United States, and you can find out specific locations and times [https://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ here]. On the first day, the participants meet, pitch ideas, and form teams - typically on a Friday night. The following day consists of ideating through the problem, meeting with mentors, and working on the project. The final day is presentation day! All of the groups pitch their startup to a panel of judges. To prep for the weekend, it might be good to have students think of problems in their daily lives to have ideas to pitch on the first day. In addition to attending an event, Techstars may be interested in having a university host a startup weekend. Contact one of the managing directors or regional Techstars team members to find out if this would be possible.  Another route to integrating Techstars with UIF is to host a Techstars Startup week. Here is a brief summary from the Techstars website:
<blockquote>'''''"Startup Week celebrates the achievements of entrepreneurial communities in cities across the globe. Our mission is to develop and support thriving communities wherever they may exist. The best way to do this is to bring entrepreneurs together in a way that they can connect, share and bond."'''''</blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;">'''''[[File:Techstars StartupWeek.PNG]]''''' </blockquote>
Techstars insists that a community of any size can host a Startup week and provides a webpage to [https://startupweek.co/apply/ apply online]. 

= =

= Contact Information =

<span id="docs-internal-guid-cbb3092c-e097-6803-3295-f292bb6b8ba5" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;"> Go to [https://www.techstars.com/contact/ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">https://www.techstars.com/contact/]<span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.66px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre; word-spacing: 0px;">to submit any requests or questions

[[Category:Resources]]