Organization:TEDx

TEDx events are independently-organized events that can span many subject areas in Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED). Students have used the TEDx conference model to create opportunities for spreading awareness about Innovation and Entrepreneurship, using the highly recognized TED brand. 

A TEDx makes sense for a campus that has numerous innovation and entrepreneurship offerings, but a general lack of awareness amongst faculty and students about the importance of cultivating these skills. A TEDx can be focused on innovation and entrepreneurship to inspire a campus community by showcasing examples of innovative faculty research, successful entrepreneurial alumni and current students who have commercialized technology and acheived positive economic, societal and environmental impact.

The process of acquiring a license is relatively straightforward and restrictions are outlined by TEDx here. A TEDx license can be secured for maximum capacity of 100 or 1,000 depending on whether the license holder is a TED Fellow (which simply means one has spoken at or attended a TED event). Some have successfully sought funding to attend a TED event and become a fellow for this purpose. Generally students are not TED fellows and have found a faculty or alumn who secures the license on their behalf, leaving the event planning and management to the student team.

Generally, students have felt that the size of the audience does not matter so much as the quality of the speakers and the recorded videos, which can be shared on campus and beyond after the event. Budgets have varied from $5,000 - $35,000, organizing teams have varied from 5 to 60; and lead-time from planning to execution has ranged from 4 to 12 months. Students cultivating the innovation ecosystem have been very successful holding this event.