UW Expert Provides Insights on Entrepreneurship

New Vision Boardmembers and guests gained some valuable insights from Connie Bourassa Shaw at their January meeting.  Shaw runs the University of Washington’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  She talked about the University’s efforts to cultivate innovation and her center’s student business plan contest.  Connie started by suggesting that entrepreneurs share common DNA:

Entrepreneurial Traits

Know who they are Have a strong need to achieve Know they can create value Believe they have what it takes to build a business or organization Have a proactive personality:  optimistic, often visionary and pioneering; passionate, motivated and energetic; action oriented, observant, incredibly persistent; and willing to experiment Have a higher tolerance for ambiguity

 

Bourassa Shaw then talked about the University of Washington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).  It offers entrepreneur courses and practicums to undergraduate and graduate students and is one of a handful of institutions nationally that grants a PhD in Technology Entrepreneurship.  The Center also offers LaunchPad internships where students work with inventors and technology experts to commercialize market ready inventions. 

The CIE also runs the largest business plan contest in the Washington State.  Over 2000 students have competed in this contest over the past 12 years.  Connie  provided our audience some sound tips surrounding the business plan contest that we will use to launch our first contest later this year. 

Bourassa Shaw closed by sharing her tool kit for tough times and ten commandments for business failure.  To get a copy of Connie Bourassa Shaw’s Powerpoint presentation click here