Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Tennessee Tech is filled with students who are interested in making the world a better place. On campus there are many resources implementing entrepreneurship as the means to solve these problems.

It beings with having a place for like-minded students to meet and talk. With two dormitories that are only for Business and Engineering majors an innovative environment naturally emerges. This innovative spirit is then strengthened by the curriculum that involves classes with real world examples. Classes that show students how to not only work with theoretical models of their designs, but also the economic and marketing side of their work. These are upper level classes such as CHE 4410 Process Design and 4930 Business Strategy

Interest is further driven by events like Tedx Nashville and E-Week. Tedx Nashville is a yearly event that recently has been supported by the dean’s office, encouraging students to attend the event by paying for their tickets. E-week is a common event across many universities where the various engineering majors are brought together and pitted against each other in competitions.

Even if you are not a Business or Engineering major there is still plenty to take part of such as the recent Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum where speakers from the NSF will give talks to faculty and students regarding I&E.

Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The faculty at TN Tech is extremely involved with innovation. Many professors are currently doing research on something they plan to turn into a product. And many others have already started companies through their research.

Along with this environment of start-ups there is a movement going on that is pushing innovation directly. With the help of NCIIA faculty members attended a workshop in the month of February 2014. They received similar training that University Fellows are receiving but on a higher level.

This same group of faculty is also pushing to create a new major on campus. Something that would combine aspects of business and engineering curriculum to create a are of study for students that are interested in entrepreneurship.

University Technology Transfer Function

The Biz Foundry is a local business accelerator in Upper Cumberland Tennessee, partnered with Launch Tennessee. They are focused on building a startup community that nurtures local talent, innovation, and entrepreneurs in order to create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. The accelerator program pairs startups with mentors and investors in order to help with the business model.

The Biz Foundry is found right off campus. It’s a place for students and faculty to go for any questions related to start-up ventures.

TN Tech also has a Small Business Development Center for students to go and build up on their innovative ideas. It works as a sort of pre meeting area before you go and seek more help.

University-Industry Collaboration

Regional and Local Economic Development Efforts

Landscape Canvas

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School:Tennessee Technological University

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