Changes

== Facilitating University-Industry Collaboration ==

College Works Internship

*College Works provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to run their own painting business for a summer, with no risk to the student.  They help interns develop and demonstrate a strong skillset encompassing business ethics, communication, organizational management and sales, along with a firm understanding of the mechanics of leadership in regards to running a small business.​ 

Innovation Exchange

*This four-week crash course in entrepreneurship, design thinking, and product design takes a multidisciplinary group of students to the Silicon Valley to gain inspiration and expert advice on making a start-up. With the students having a chance to talk to real-world entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, they come back to Harrisonburg, VA to test out their new knowledge of forming a product idea into a full-on startup. The course is taught by professors of engineering and industrial design but guest professors make a huge impact daily which helps give students the feedback needed to be more successful.

Madison Business Network

*The Madison Business Network was created as the result of increasing interest in new company formation, innovation, and peer-to-peer connections throughout James Madison University and its alumni base.  The nationwide network connects individuals who have innovative ideas, technologies, and strategies with people who can be of assistance. The network targets JMU faculty, staff, students, alums, and professionals in the region. The goal of the network is to encourage and promote innovation, business development, job creation, entrepreneurship, and career mentoring.

Society of Entrepreneurs

*The JMU Society of Entrepreneurs brings James Madison University entrepreneurially minded students together. In the organization, we educate each other and the JMU community on topics of interest, support each other with new ventures and reach out to entrepreneurs in the community to help them and learn from them. The society also hosts speakers and events to educate the JMU community about different topics based around entrepreneurship. The club was launched in 2011 and became a recognized organization by JMU in spring of 2012.  To be a part of regularly scheduled meetings, students must apply, be interviewed and accepted into the organization. After going through a process to learn the fundamentals of startups, they will become an official member of the society.

Madison Exchange

*The Madison Exchange is a collaborative effort where all of the engineering students present the projects they have been working on for the year. It allows each student to interface with possible employers and businessmen and women to get their name known.

Startup Spring Break Pitch

*Virginia Commonwealth University’s da Vinci Center hosted their first ever Startup Spring Break Pitch Competition on March 10th, 2018. Startup teams were nominated by universities across the Commonwealth to compete for $25,000 in equity–free funding. 

== Engaging with Regional and Local Development Efforts ==