[[File:Clemson Logo with Tiger.png|center|Clemson University|link=Special:FilePath/Clemson_Logo_with_Tiger.png]]
=Promoting Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship=
In addition to these national programs '''The DEN''' (Design and Entrepreneurship Network) has become influential on campus. The DEN has proven to be a valuable resources for students interested in Entrepreneurship by hosting events like '''3 Day Startup''' and '''Startup Weekend'''. Clemson's '''IDEAS (Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Among Students) and CUBS (Community for Undergraduate Business Students) Communities '''house students from a variety of disciplines with an interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Students from across campus also have the opportunity to participate in competitions like the '''CECAS Spark Challenge''' and the '''Walter Hunter Business Plan Competition and Lecture Series Pitch Smackdown'''. These competitions encourage students to get involved in the I&E infrastructure both on campus and beyond.
Students in the Clemson Honors college have the opportunity to engage hands-on with design and entrepreneurship thorough the Dr. John DesJardins's Hands-On Design and Entrepreneurship course in the [https://www.clemson.edu/cuhonors/opportunities/intellectual-growth/dixon-fellows.html Dixon Fellows] program. This course offers accepted honors students the opportunity to take an idea through the design process and then pitch it in the CECAS Spark Challenge. Over two semesters, students are introduced to the concept of design thinking and collaborate with one another to develop their ideas into tangible prototypes for the pitch competition.
Captivating innovation talks are held on campus twice a month. '''VoxNovo Talks''', hosted by the Clemson Graduate Student Government, and '''Tiger Talks''', hosted by the Clemson Bioengineering Society, are two popular events that bring together inspirational individuals where shared ideas and perspectives change the world. '''TEDx '''has also been a recent addition to the Clemson innovative atmosphere. The '''Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership '''was founded with a mission to support education, research and outreach programs that promote entrepreneurial activity and economic development of the region, state, and nation. The Spiro Institute draws from the expertise within the College of Business and Behavioral Science to explore entrepreneurial leadership. A unique graduate degree in entrepreneurship is offered at Clemson University: an''' MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MBAe)''' where students begin with an idea, apply rigorous business principles and graduate with both an MBA degree and a market-ready business idea. Innovation and entrepreneurship is also captured in the '''Technology Entrepreneurship Certificate Program''', offered to all graduate students in engineering and science disciplines. Students also have the opportunity to graduate in a Business Management Major with an emphasis area in Entrepreneurship. Opportunities for funding of student-led technologies is offered directly through '''LaunchPadSC''', a competition that is designed to assist individuals and/or teams in the genesis of ideas for new business concepts and to help move them forward in the formation of potential new companies. Also available is mentorship and support through centers like the '''Clemson Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC)'''. Representatives offer personal consultation, guidance, and assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs through one-on-one management and technical assistance as well as interactive webinar series. Mentoring is also available through the '''Sustainable Entrepreneurs & Economic Development (SEED) '''eight-session course that is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs understand the business behind the success.