Helping students develop their networks through on- and off-campus interactions with successful entrepreneurs and innovators
The INSPIRE series brings successful entrepreneurs from all fields to campus to act as role models for students. In addition to attending the keynote address or panel discussion, students meet with these entrepreneurs individually, during classes, and in small groups. These visits also include meetings over lunch or dinner to allow for a less formal interaction, provide an opportunity for students to build their networks, and offer students the chance to get feedback on their ideas from professionals who have been in their shoes.
Students also develop their network through off-campus activities such as externships, shadowing, and mentoring provided by entrepreneurs and other professionals on location.
When you consider the innovative focus of our faculty, staff, and students, there are entrepreneurs on our campus every day. The INSPIRE series hosts four signature events each year with two in the fall and two in the spring. We also co-sponsor INSPIRE events with other organizations on campus, such as the Center for Science and the Common Good and the Center for Professional Development.
Unlike most academic speaker series, INSPIRE’s evening talk is just the culmination of a full day of activities. Our visitors spend a significant portion of the day with us and visit classes, participate in small group discussions, interact with students over meals, etc.
This program is early development stages, but we have plans for several off-campus networking opportunities, such as a women’s networking event where our students will interact with successful women entrepreneurs at a local in center city Philadelphia, and an externship experience for students who want to visit New York City and shadow local entrepreneurs. In the past, we were able to provided financial (travel) support for a student who spent Winter Break at an incubator in Gainesville, Florida, interacting with several companies developing innovative wellness and fitness technology businesses.
Just sign up. As with all of our programs, these opportunities are available to all students no matter the experience or academic concentration.