School:Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis

Overview

IUPUI is just starting to break the surface of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E). Though there are independent efforts in this space, including classes, student organiations, and competitions, there is no unified strategy to promote an I&E culture.We have the seeds of I&E sown around our campus in the form of classes and competitions we really don't have a firm basis of innovation. There have been discussions across all levels of the campus community about the best ways to promote I&E, and the changing climate locally, nationally, and globally, coupled with the right people in the right roles across campus indicate that the time is right to take action toward developing I&E culture for the campus.

IUPUI Student Efforts

The Brain Trust at IUPUI.jpeg

Student have been pushing for I&E on campus for several years. It has proven difficlult as clubs and student organizations formed died due to minimal attendence. In 2017, Recently, a new innovation based student organization known as The Brain Trust was formed to provide education and an environment for students to bring ideas into action. Although this student organization has only been around for one year, this small group of students has kickstarted the process of allocating a designated innovation space at IUPUI. Furthermore, they are now in the planning stages with faculty to develop a lasting entrepreneurial structure on campus, and hope to continue to bring students from fragmented backgrounds and disciplines together to focus on singular projects to improve and contribute to IUPUI.

In an effort to initiate the improvement of IUPUI's current innovative mindset, The Brain Trust's first goal was to apply to the University Innovation Fellows program to gain the knowlledge and know how to most effectively change the campus landscape. Recently, other student groups have started their own contributions to campus unity and innovation. Most notably, Student Talks, an organization dedicated to student discussions similar to that of Ted talks but on a student basis, has carved a path to begin meaningful discussions on campus. This venue could open the way to a more unified and innovative campus. 

ENACTUS: A national innovation competition recently undergone by students of IUPUI. (See website) 

A recent culmination of Innovation resources came together at the first Innovation Student Union meeting at IUPUI. A collection of representation from many different student organizations coming together to orient their collective innovative projects toward a common goal is the prime idea of the Union. Hopefully this can blossom into more student initiative driven I&E on campus.

Courses on Entrepreneurship

Graduate Level Courses

BUS-F 517 Venture Capital & Entrepreneurial Finance

BUS-W 511 Venture Strategy

BUS-J 522 Strategic Management of Technology & Innovation

Undergraduate Level Courses

BUS-W 212 - Explore Entrepreneurship

ME 26200 - Engineering Design, Ethics, and Entrepreneurship

BUS-W 311 - New Venture Creation
ECET 29700 - Electronic Prototype Development
BIOL 10014 - Biomedical Innovation

BITN 25000 - Biotechnology Internship

Campus I&E Efforts

Faculty Proposal for Developing Culture of Innovation on Campus:

In the Fall of 2015 there was an assembly of Deans of the individual schools of study to discuss methods of promoting innovation on campus. The main idea conveyed in the meeting was that the movement had to be student led. Unfortunately this movement proposal fell to the wayside under the red tape of running a university. Fortunately, The Brain Trust was recently made aware of the proceedings of this meeting and is currently following up with the Vice Chancellor of IUPUI in an effort to allocate funds and the people needed to make this proposal a reality.

Think It Make It Lab: 

The Herron School of Art and Design has recently spent $1.3 million to design a makerspace known as the Think It Make It Lab. This area houses computers equipped with design software, 3D printers, laser engravers and CNC machinery. Although this space is currently mainly reserved for Art and Design as well as Informatics students; the end goal is to make it available to the general IUPUI student population.

JagStart - IUPUI Student Pitch Competition: 

JagStart is a annual competition where students can pitch their ideas for solving campus, local, national and even world issues. This competition is in elevator pitch format and can be taken on by an individual or a team. It is the hope that this gets students in touch with their more innovative and passionate side. It is a good opportunity to get a small feel of what pitching an idea to an audience is like.

IUFresh Implementation: A University Innovation Fellowship run program for incoming IUPUI freshman students.

University Technology Transfer Functions

The Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation (IURTC) is an off campus organization that serves as IUPUI's technology transfer office. Whether a student's goal is to commercialize his or her product, secure rights on intellectual property, or to patent an invention, the IURTC helps them accomplish their goals.

Commercialization:
The technology commercialization process can be started with IURTC by completing an Invention Disclosure Form that is reviewed and copied to the student's department chair, the dean of their school or college, and the chancellor or provost at their campus.

Startups:
The IURTC has helped multiple undergraduate and graduate student run startups get their feet off the ground including:

Assembly: A startup biopharmaceutical company researching treatment for hepatitis B and CDAD

Anagin: Another start up developing an over the counter medication for PTSD

Software Licensing and Intellectual Property Rights:
The IURTC also assists in helping students secure intellectual property rights for ideas that they develop but are unsure of what steps to take next as well as licensing software to companies.

Website Link: http://iurtc.iu.edu/index.shtml

University-Industry Collaboration

IUPUI is currently collabortating with the Lugar Center for Alternative Energy Resources to do active research on campus. IUPUI's affiliation with the Luger Center for Alternative Energy Research stems from the school's dedication to innovative solutions to enivironmental problems as a research-based institution. In pursuit of alternative energies, student organizations such as The Brain Trust, Sustainability Councils, and SEDS actively attempt to bring student-led initiatives to a public and professional developmental level. Currently in progress is a bid for a self-sustained orbital space station for human life support, programs to increase environment-sustainable awareness in the community, and a project to produce self-contained shipping crate housing solutions for students interested in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Local Economic Development

With its urban location, IUPUI not only has strong interior innovation opportunity, but exteriorly, too.  Leaders of Indianapolis have a vision of Indianapolis becoming the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest."  Connecting IUPUI to this ecosystem will provide students with resources and mentors to jumpstart their projects.

16 Tech Indy

16 Tech is a planned Innovation Community and one of the largest talent attraction, retention and development opportunities in Indianapolis’ history.

The Innovation Community is purpose-built to attract the best talent to collaborate, innovate and commercialize new ideas across a spectrum of advanced industries, including life sciences, technology and advanced manufacturing. The community is built to respond to the way innovation occurs today ─ in open environments where collaboration occurs naturally, while breaking down barriers that sometimes exist in the cross-pollination of ideas across industries.

Innovation communities like 16 Tech draw companies and talent from around the world; they also provide job training and development opportunities for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s this mix of talent and industry diversity that makes for a truly inclusive and vibrant community for innovation and business and community development.

Like any community, 16 Tech will be a place where people not only work, but live, play and learn. Its millions of square feet of custom, open, modern innovation space is coupled with retail and housing development, generous green space and walking/biking trails for a rich, urban living experience.

-taken from 16techindy.com

Verge: Local startup and Entrpreneurship company.

Great Places 2020: A program to make the area next to campus a new thriving part of town including plans for an Entrepreneurship center.

Cyberia: A local makerspace which offers discounts for student I&E.

Related Links

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Student Priorities

University Innovation Fellows

Spring 2016:

Amadin Agho

Elizabeth Creamer

Cody Howell

Sierra Kennelly

Spring 2017:

Richard Anderson III

Mike Huang

Katherine Swartzendruber

Campus Links:

https://theden.iupui.edu/organization/iupuibraintrust/roster

https://www.facebook.com/The-Brain-Trust-1496881017269097/

http://iupui-irhoc.wix.com/the-brain-trust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha7FWfImHZA