11/21/05

TechPreneur @ UMBC – A showcase of talent

All in attendance would agree that the TechPreneur@UMBC event was long overdue. The October 24 event provided a great opportunity for start-up and emerging technology company representatives to meet with UMBC students to discuss opportunities.

Many university campus departments worked together to bring this event to students, such as: Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, bwtech@UMBC Research and Technology Park , Career Services, Corporate Relations, The Shriver Center, and techcenter@UMBC.

Students explored part-time, full-time, and internship positions with high tech and life sciences companies, many of which are located at the university's research park, bwtech@UMBC, and the business incubator program, techcenter@UMBC.

A few of the participating companies were: Athena Environmental Sciences, BDMetrics, Scientific Products and Systems, Blue Wave Semiconductors and TechGuard Security.

The keynote speaker, Scott Weber, a UMBC alumnus and co-founder of Physicians Practice, set the ball rolling with an inspirational speech. Vivian Armor, director of Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and a UMBC alumna, provided an overarching view of entrepreneurship activity on campus and upcoming initiatives, such as a business plan competition.

Armor wears many hats. She is also the program director for the student Idea Lab and advisor, along with Dr. William LaCourse, for the CEO club.

“Our goal is to expose UMBC students to exciting and dynamic entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Armor. “The Center offers courses, both for credit and noncredit, and three speaker series each semester, which features entrepreneurs who candidly share their experiences, insights and lessons learned.”

I am proud to say that the UMBC Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) is following the path laid by pioneers like Weber and Armor – we are promoting entrepreneurship on campus.

Jason Servary, a member of the CEO club, spoke about his search for a student group that would offer real world experience in his dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the near future.

Closing remarks were given by Christine Routzahn, associate director of The Shriver Center. Attendees were given an opportunity to tour the UMBC Technology Center building on South Campus by Walter Schulz, director of the business incubator.

We should definitely embrace our entrepreneurial spirit. UMBC is truly an entrepreneurial pioneer in the state - we have the first university research park and the largest business incubator program. Thus far nearly 100 companies have called UMBC home.

We are fortunate to have such a thriving business community on our campus. Let us take advantage of this rich resource by connecting with entrepreneurial programs on campus – let us make UMBC the intelligent place to do business.

Joba Adekanmbi,
Chief Executive Officer,
UMBC Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization
www.umbc.edu/ceo