(Scottsdale, Ariz.) -- In only its sixth year, the unique Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative at Arizona State University experienced significant growth in interest in 2011 – further evidence of the growing entrepreneurial spirit at the university.
The Edson Initiative -- which offers student teams funding, office space, mentorship and training to accelerate their venture concepts -- attracted 250 applications in 2011, a 32 percent increase over the 190 entries the previous year. More than $1.2 million has been awarded to student teams during the life of the program and more than $200,000 will be granted to the student teams chosen this year. The program is one of the largest privately funded business plan competitions at a U.S. university.
The selected student teams, which will be announced on June 27, 2011, will incubate and accelerate their business ideas at SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center. A variety of mentors and venture acceleration services provided by the ASU Venture Catalyst team at SkySong will help catapult their ideas into reality.
“The increase in interest is testament to both the nature of the students in Arizona State University and to the university-wide push to foster entrepreneurship in all aspects of university life” said Gordon McConnell, Executive Director of Venture Acceleration in ASU. “Entrepreneurship is a key component of the New American University that Arizona State has pioneered.”
While at ASU SkySong, the Edson Initiative ventures participate in workshops and special training led by successful entrepreneurs and business professionals. Each team is also provided entrepreneurial mentoring by a domain expert from the private sector and ASU SkySong staff, as well as the support of the ASU Venture Catalyst team.
The Edson Initiative generates interest in building new ventures and entrepreneurship as a career path among ASU students, providing the opportunity to acquire entrepreneurial skills, knowledge and perspective. The program also links student entrepreneurs with successful private sector entrepreneurs, increasing the number of new companies and products brought to market by ASU students.
About Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative (http://studentventures.asu.edu/):
The Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative harnesses the entrepreneurial energy, excitement and creativity found in ASU’s student body. The program helps students succeed in any enterprise, large or small, for-profit or not-for-profit, domestic or global.
As a student entrepreneur, Orin Edson, started a boating company in his garage. The company eventually became Bayliner Marine Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of pleasure and luxury boats. The Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative has been made possible by a $5.4 million investment by Orin and Charlene Edson to the Arizona State University Foundation.
About Venture Catalyst at ASU (www.asuventurecatalyst.org)
Venture Catalyst is Arizona State University’s entrepreneurial initiative to help faculty, students and ASU-linked companies launch new startups or accelerate existing ventures. Launched in October 2010 with the help of a $1 million grant from Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Venture Catalyst offers investor connections, intellectual property consulting, educational workshops, and one-on-one mentoring opportunities with established entrepreneurs and seasoned business executives.
Contact:
Gordon McConnell
Executive Director
Venture Acceleration
Ph: 480 884 1724
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
