In Pursuit of Innovation

Building on an NSF grant and a two year-old course in innovation, this grant will strengthen and expand the entrepreneurial activities coming out of this course. The existing program includes an entrepreneur-in-residence and the current course develops I-Teams (the "I" is for "innovation"). This grant will help stimulate the creation of E-Teams from the most promising student I-Teams at the conclusion of the course. Follow on activities will provide E-Teams with greater opportunities to commercialize their ventures.

The overall aim of their efforts is toprepare students to become contributors to a globally competitive American economy. This grant will enable faculty to make improvements to the course, give students better access to tools and materials for prototyping, participate in a nearby Fablab, and gain access to visiting experts and entrepreneurs.