School:University of Portland

Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship

At the University of Portland we are promoting entrepreneurship and innovation through a variety of different programs and extra curricular activities.  There is an Entrepreneur Scholar program, which is a competitively selected group of undergraduate students who create new business ventures, social enterprises, as well as implement innovative products and delivery models for these organizations. Every year we also have a 100k competition, where students are able to pitch there ideas and ventures to a group of investors for the possibility of getting an investment.  We are in the process of contructing an innovation space and assessing the possibility of starting a student venture fund.  

In order to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, we have recently launched the Dean's Innovation Challenge and attracted 8 interdisciplinary teams.  Additionally, The School of Engineering modified their core curriculum to allow students to take 9 semester credit of entrepreneurship/innovation courses for academic credit.  This is just the beginning for the University, expect more to come!

Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship

Steering committee comprised of faculty from all 5 schools in the University created to develop and lead innovation programs.  Five faculty fellows in innovation will be established in the 2014/15 academic year, with stipends to support research, course development and teaching.

Actively supporting the university technology transfer function

The University's tech transfer policy is currently being reviewed and revised, in order to make it more friendly to student and faculty start-ups and industry partnerships.

Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration

Senior Engineering teams are able to work on projects from the local business community, both start-ups and larger firms. The entrepreneurship/innovation advisory board at the University is made up of entrepreneurial and innovation firm management.

Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts

Staff and faculty regularly are engaged with Portland Development Commission, OHSU ED, Business Oregon (State) and have collaborated on several studies and reports.  Student involvement in these activities is anticipated to begin next year.

Related Links

University of Portland Student Priorities:  http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/University_of_Portland_Student_Priorities

University of Portland UI Fellow:  http://universityinnovation.org/wiki/Kevin_Bastien