Entrepreneurship Highlights from 2017
2017 was a big year for entrepreneurship at NC State. As we head into 2018, here are 17 entrepreneurship highlights from the past year:
1. NC State Ranks Top 20 in Best Colleges for Entrepreneurs
NC State was ranked by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine as one of the “Top 25 Best Undergrad Programs for Entrepreneurs in 2018,” coming in at no. 19 on the list. The ranking was based on a Princeton Review survey analyzing more than 40 data points at over 300 universities. This is NC State’s first year appearing on the list. Read More
2. NC State Entrepreneurs Compete for $100,000 at the Lulu eGames
In April, NC State entrepreneurs received $100,000 from the Lulu eGames, the university’s annual startup competition held in the spring. The competition received a record 192 entries. Read More
3. The Albright Entrepreneurs Village Welcomes New Residents
The Albright Entrepreneurs Village, NC State’s living and learning community for student entrepreneurs, has continued to grow, reaching a record number of residents for the 2017-18 academic year.
4. The State of Entrepreneurship Streams Live
The State of Entrepreneurship, a weekly livestream, ran its first season with 12 episodes. Hosted by eGarage manager, DC, and Poole College of Management student, Marisa Celedonia. The show covered entrepreneurship topics and featured guests including: Dr. Tom Miller, Marshall Brain and Lewis Sheats. Watch the Episodes
5. Students Go Behind the Scenes at Apple, Google and Facebook
Over spring break, 20 students traveled to Silicon Valley to see entrepreneurship in action, both in large companies and early-stage startups. The trip included visits with NC State alumni working in the Valley, tours of early-stage ventures, and, of course, visits with companies like Apple, Google and Facebook.
6. Alumni Establish the Dr. Thomas K. Miller III Fellows Endowment
Inspired by the impact that longtime faculty member Dr. Tom Miller has made on their lives and careers, a group of NC State alumni established the Dr. Thomas K. Miller III Fellows Endowment to support entrepreneurial-minded students. The fund provides a small stipend during the period directly following graduation, when students may face a decision between taking a job or launching a company. Read More
7. Entrepreneurship Clinic Recognized as an Outstanding Program
In January, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship presented the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic with the Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Program award. Clinicians, working in diverse teams, serve as consultants to partner companies to evaluate weaknesses and develop and execute strategic action plans to help solve specific business needs. Read More
8. Triangle Venture Alliance Makes Initial Investment
The Triangle Venture Alliance (TVA), a newly formed investment alliance among angel networks at North Carolina State University, Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC Central University, announced its first investment as an alliance – 410 Medical. 410 Medical is an early-stage medical device company that has developed and is now commercializing a novel medical device that can rapidly infuse life-saving fluids during medical emergencies. Read More
9. Social Innovation Fellows Program Accepts First Cohort
The Social Innovation Fellows program began in fall, accepting 30 students passionate about social impact. Throughout the year, the Fellows team up with social ventures addressing issues with food and water insecurity. The program provides students the opportunity to put their entrepreneurial skills to action as they discover, design and do good in their community. Read More
10. NC State Celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. During one week each November, NC State hosts a variety events focused on entrepreneurship. 2017 events included: Networking with Social Entrepreneurs, Ladies Who Launch, Wolf Den and more. Read More
11. WRAL News Features Student Company Reborn Clothing Co.
Student company Reborn Clothing Co. launched in November with a vision to make sustainability personal by transforming meaningful garments into usable products. Emily Neville, NC State political science major and her team of NC State Textiles designers were featured on the WRAL-TV morning news. Read More
12. Students Explore the New York City Startup Scene
Twelve students ventured to New York City to explore the startup scene over fall break. Meeting with NC State alumni in Manhattan, students received backstage tours of companies like Madison Square Garden, Venture for America, Exeq, First Round Capital and more.
13. Faculty Rockers Pay Tribute to Led Zeppelin and Support Arts Entrepreneurs
Dr. Gary Beckman, director of the NC State Arts Entrepreneurship program, and his bandmates rocked out Stewart Theatre with a Led Zeppelin tribute. The project is more than just a band that plays music; it provides an educational opportunity for students in the Arts Entrepreneurship program. The band has been working with students to launch initiatives in performance and production industries.
14. Entrepalooza Draws over 1,000 Attendees
Entrepalooza is NC State’s fall festival celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation. In September, the event drew over 1,000 attendees to the event on Centennial Campus. The event featured an interactive showcase of NC State alumni and student companies and a student pitch competition where 15 students competed for an audience choice award of $1,000.
15. NC State Receives $500,000 from the National Science Foundation to Boost Commercialization
NC State received a $500,000 award from the National Science Foundation to advance the commercialization of research discoveries. This five-year award will be used by the Office of Technology Commercialization and New Ventures to establish the NC State I-Corps site.
16. Two Entrepreneurial Grads Excelled at NC State
Two fall 2017 graduates, Kay McMillan and Oliver Walsh, charted the course of their academic careers with the help of entrepreneurship at NC State. Through the New Voices Foundation, McMillan, who has cerebral palsy, seeks to equip schools and teachers in North Carolina with technologies for students with communication and mobility disabilities. Walsh heads to Deloitte Consulting in Charlotte, where he’ll get to use the creativity and problem-solving skills he learned through the university’s entrepreneurship initiatives to help others build their businesses. Read More
17. NC State Makes Top 25 for Technology Transfer
NC State ranks No. 25 among the 200 research institutions studied in the Milken Institute’s latest listing of best universities for technology transfer. The report, called “Concept to Commercialization: The Best Universities for Technology Transfer,” puts NC State in the top 10 of schools without medical research facilities. NC State also joins three of its 16 peer institutions making the list. Read More
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