Changes

The NDSU TTO, to the knowledge of the UI fellow penning this, has not made any particular student-aware effort to promote the development of intellectual property on campus. It is not yet as proactive as certain other programs around the country- the inventors are expected to come to the TTO, not the other way around.

All engineering majors complete what is known as a ''''capstone'''' or senior design project. This project is commonly backed financially by a local industry presence in the aim of solving a particular problem. Students form small group teams and are given two semesters to prepare and present a solution to the problem as best they can. The process is assisted by regular interaction (personal and digital) with the host company as well as reporting to the student's faculty capstone mentor. It is of note that while the program does not explicitly require an innovative solution to the given problem, the use of students to provide a new, fresh way of thinking is one of the value-added services of the program for the host company.

The College of Business offers a program known as ''''Student Consulting Teams'''.' These teams offer small business in particular the opportunity to receive the aid of students to assist and council them in their journey- the students, of course, receive experience and knowledge in return. Students are chosen by application and are not automatically assigned to a team. Instead, the student is contacted when a project that suits their experience, interest, and expertise becomes available. Through this method, assigning students with irrelevant knowledge or lack of interest can be mitigated. While this program is not explicitly innovative or entrepreneurial in nature, it does provide valuable assistance to those looking to engage in those activities in the form of expertise they may not otherwise possess.

== Regional and local economic development efforts<br/> ==