Kent State University

Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation

Kent, OH

Overview:

Established in 2006, the Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation (CEBI) is a collaborative effort reaching across Kent State’s eight campuses and throughout the business community.  CEBI supports academic and outreach programs that foster entrepreneurial activity and economic development in Northeast Ohio.

Our vision is to be the leading public university in entrepreneurial education and innovation, with a focus on instruction, innovation, and support for emerging business in Northeast Ohio.  Our cross-discipline approach and sustained collaborative relationships with external organizations are the hallmarks of our center and help foster successful entrepreneurial activity, making Kent State University the centerpiece of entrepreneurial activity in our region.

Entrepreneurship Program

Entrepreneurship is one of three Centers of Excellence for the College of Business. This is an emerging program for KSU, with new components being implemented in Fall ‘08.

The Entrepreneurial Lab

The Entrepreneurial Lab is the hub of our outreach activities.  Under the guidance of the Entrepreneur-in-Residence, students and faculty join with entrepreneurs to develop business plans, work on special research projects, and provide support for businesses. 

 In the entrepreneurship lab, students:

v     Work directly with business owners

v     Learn to effectively work in teams

v     Get entrepreneurs involved on the KSU campus

v     Get real world experience

v     Get support from the Entrepreneur in Residence

v     Have access to the John S. Brinzo Entrepreneurship Laboratory as a work area

Student Run Businesses

In fall 2008 the first student run businesses will be launched. These will be developed, operated and managed by students. The students will do everything from the concept to the daily operation of the business. The only role that non-students will have will be as mentors to the students.

v     Students can see their ideas come to life

v     Motivate students

v     Real world experience

v     Students will learn the stages they must go through to open a business

v     Unique opportunity that not many campuses offer

A Community of Entrepreneurs (ACE)

ACE, the living-learning community, offers students an opportunity to connect and work with others who share their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship while living together or commuting and taking classes together.  Students have access to resources that can help them create their own business and expand their network.

Academic Program

The CEBI provides internal and external educational opportunities for credit and non-credit programming.  In terms of external not for credit education, the Center sponsors a speakers’ series, an annual extravaganza, an interface to the student entrepreneurial organization, a Business Concept competition and a student incubator.

The Minor in Entrepreneurship is designed as an interdisciplinary program that can bring together students with an interest in entrepreneurship regardless of their academic major. Many of the courses are offered in the College of Business, with selected courses being offered in other Colleges or Schools, including the College of Technology and the School of Fashion Design.

The entrepreneurship major will be offered, beginning in fall 2008. The students in this major receive the tools to be successful entrepreneurs with a focus on experiential learning.

In the Entrepreneurship Major, students will:

v     Work in a team to develop, pitch, launch and exit a venture on campus

v     Obtain real world experience with an understanding of the risks, creative pressures and

v     Learn the stages they must go through to start a venture

v     Have unique opportunities offered by few campuses in Ohio

v     Establish an entrepreneurial mindset, with skills and experiences that can be applied to large or small organizations as well as new venture opportunities

For More Information

The Center for Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation, College of Business Administration, Room 320, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242; Julie Messing, (330)672-9430; Email: jmessing@kent.edu, website: http://business.kent.edu/cebi