Priorities:University of Portland Student Priorities
Contents
The Time is Now.
Strategy One: Expose
Tactic 1: 3 Day Startup
3DS will bring students through the beginning steps of launching a company or project through innovation on campus. This is an event that will allow students to learn by doing. 3DS teaches entrepreneurship skills such as ideation, customer discovery and venture pitching. This would be a beneficial event for students interested in E&I.
Tactic 2: Multidisciplinary Hackathon
Hosting a hackathon on campus that invites students from all majors to join together to “hack” out an idea will expose students to innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. Students are constantly developing venture ideas and an event like this would allow them to gather a multidisciplinary team and work together to accomplish a goal.
Tactic 3: Workshop
Providing weekly workshops for students to learn about the different aspects of entrepreneurship. This will give students the opportunity to learn from experienced individuals and expand their knowledge of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Strategy Two: Create
Tactic 1: Makerspace
Creating an innovation space on campus will provide students with the tools they need to implement the many ideas they have. Allowing students to learn by doing will be a valuable asset to encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. An innovation space enables students from all disciplines to learn to think creatively. There are a vast amount of different activities that can be held in such a space. This will be a space that the university can advertise in order to attract more prospective students. All in all, an innovation space is a key factor in the pursuit of improving the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation throughout campus.
Tactic 2: Student-led investment fund
Starting an investment fund led by students will give students to identify and student startups within the community. Having an investment fund run by and for students will provide capital for student-led startups and allow access to the mentoring of local entrepreneurs. This will also expose students to the Portland startup community. Raising capital while you’re still attending school is very difficult, and has the potential to deter students from pursuing their ventures. Therefore, a student-led investment fund has the potential to be a valuable program at the University of Portland.
Strategy Three: Motivate
Tactic 1: Bring Entrepreneurial Speakers to campus
Every year we have a Bauccio Lecture and bring in a speaker, but we should bring more speakers in throughout the year. Having a monthly speaker will motivate students to pursue their ideas, and show that anything is possible.
Tactic 2: Host a TEDx event on campus
Hosting a TEDx event on campus, focused on innovation and entrepreneurship, can inspire the university into initiating a movement. TEDx events are known for their motivational speakers and talks, and an event like this on campus has the potential to attract a large amount of students and faculty.
Tactic 3: Start Up Award
Having an award that is given every year at the university will help motivate students to create meaningful ventures throughout the year. This will give students something to work towards while working on their ventures and promote entrepreneurship and innovation on campus. Instead of giving the startup a large cash prize every year, we can give them an award of value, not just money.