{"id":203748,"date":"2015-02-20T20:29:21","date_gmt":"2015-02-20T20:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/d45h139.public.uconn.edu\/sites\/news\/?p=20034"},"modified":"2015-02-20T20:29:21","modified_gmt":"2015-02-20T20:29:21","slug":"student-entrepreneurship-is-on-the-fast-track-university-leaders-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2015\/02\/student-entrepreneurship-is-on-the-fast-track-university-leaders-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Entrepreneurship is on the Fast Track, University Leaders Say"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Claire Hall<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Courtesy, UConn School of Business<\/p>\n

When Management Professor Rich Dino started a course that helps non-business majors write a business plan, it filled almost instantly. He scheduled two more classes, and the same thing happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis semester I have students majoring in everything from physics to music, and their different views enhance the class,\u201d Dino said. \u201cThe doors are open to anyone with ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2015-02-13_consortium[1]\"Meanwhile, in the Nursing Department, Dean Regina Cusson created a \u201cShark Tank\u201d-like competition for seniors who have ideas for improving patient care in a clinical setting. This year, 18 students are vying for the top prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has really changed the way they think of themselves\u2014as leaders,
\n as change-agents,\u201d she said. \u201cMy dream is to offer this type of
\n program starting freshman year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWith this exchange of ideas, I\u2019m sure that we will be able to have a bigger entrepreneurial impact.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

– Kathy Rocha, managing director of the Consortium<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Innovation and entrepreneurship are hot topics on campus, said the two dozen UConn leaders who attended the inaugural meeting of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Consortium on Jan. 28. In fact, within weeks of arriving on campus, \u00a0freshmen are looking for opportunities to create new products, share ideas and explore business concepts.<\/p>\n

The Consortium\u2019s purpose is to provide a coherent vision of UConn\u2019s entrepreneurial efforts, as well as inspire, support and encourage inventive and creative business ventures, simplify the start-up and grant-seeking process, and introduce potential business partners. The kickoff meeting provided information about a vast variety of programs on campus, ranging from an upcoming Innovation Quest competition to free legal help for business start-ups.<\/p>\n

One speaker after another described, with great enthusiasm, the creativity, imagination and marketable potential of the ideas that students have presented to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was really delighted by how much is going on. I\u2019m extremely optimistic about the collaboration that can occur,\u201d said John A. Elliott, dean of the School of Business. He added that he was impressed by the availability of resources for students, faculty and other start-ups affiliated with the University. \u201cThere is a great appetite for business knowledge. Our challenge is to serve the demand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the new projects that UConn is launching, or considering, are:<\/p>\n