Launch-in-9 at Portland State University: Empowering Student Entrepreneurship
Launch-in-9 is a branded curricular pathway at Portland State University aiming to prepare students for careers in entrepreneurship and product development. Through Diverse teams and student-initiated projects, students earn capstone credit by employing lean-startup methods. The program provides financial support, mentors, community networks, and faculty oversight to help students launch their ventures. With a focus on innovation and hands-on learning, Launch-in-9 equips students for success in the entrepreneurial landscape.
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Launch-in-9 A lean start up at Portland State University* Charla Mathwick, Associate Professor Marketing Antonie Jetter, Associate Professor Engineering & Tech Management * Supported by Venture Well. Thank you!
Launch-in-9 PSU Background Oregon s entrepreneurial ecosystem Ranked 6th in US per capita new business formation PSU Business Accelerator among top 25 in world Urban university many non-traditional students long tradition of community-based learning limited track record as an entrepreneurial university young engineering school, committed to innovation in teaching Grass-root faculty effort, gaining momentum
Launch-in-9 Launch-in-9 is a branded curricular pathway, aiming to become a valued credential among employers Diverse teams -- student-initiated projects Earn capstone credit Employs lean-start up methods University provides: $2,500 per qualifying start-up project Mentors, community network, IP advise, faculty oversight Prepares students for careers in: Their L9 venture or other start-ups Intrapreneurial product development, R&D
Launch-in-9 Program Iteration 2011-2013 2013-14 2014-15 2016+ Annual event and L9 integration Kickstart Weekend Interest? Beta Project L9 Ideate! Initial Session Founder Meet- up Broader student reach, event formats?
Launch-in-9 PSU Kickstart Weekend
Launch-in-9 Sources of Ideas 2014 Ideate! Workshop day charrette , students brainstorm technology solutions for a pertinent social problem Beta Project Funding & support for student inventions (up to $1000 for prototyping material, access to equipment, etc.)
Launch-in-9 Program Iteration 2011-2013 2013-14 2014-15 2016+ Kickstart Weekend Annual event and L9 integration Interest? Beta Project 16 projects 4 funded teams 2nd L9 cohort 4 funded teams L9 Ideate! Initial Session Founder Meet- up Soft Launch, Experiment, Iterate
Launch-in-9 Program Outcomes Pitch & Seed Funding Clean Tech Challenge New Venture Championship Three-Minute Thesis Noce Business Pitchfest Starve-up Pitch No full-blown business launch Employment: start-ups and related established firms
Launch-in-9 Program Iteration 2011-2013 2013-14 2014-15 2016+ Kickstart Weekend Annual event and L9 integration Interest? Beta Project Soft launch with 4 teams 2nd L9 cohort with 4 teams Scale L9 Ideate! Initial Session Founder Meet- Initial Session up Seed Project Pipeline
Launch-in-9 Culture & Ideation Founder s Meet-Up Launch-in-9 Tech. driven On to Pitch & Fund Apply to L9 Market driven Final Pres. Angel Funding, Biz Plan Competition, Incubator, Crowdfunding, . Prototype Biz Model Growth Strategy Lean Start-up MVP Testing Tech/Mkt Validation Design driven Organic Sophomore Junior Years Senior or Final Grad Year Post Graduation
Launch-in-9 Testing reveals wrong assumptions $ 2,500 is not too little to move forward L9 does not put already existing ideas to work but triggers ideas Not everybody is in it for the start-up many students simply want the experience Business students do not outnumber engineering students Employers value L9 capstones, even those that do not succeed. A 360 experience that develops independence, resourcefulness, and preparation for careers where the only certainty is change. William Newman, Mging Director NW Technology Ventures L9 never fully fits into the normal capstone sequence, requiring ongoing faculty involvement Despite testing, judging, reviews: founders have difficulty abandoning their ideas for good
Launch-in-9 What s different: Very early stage venture development Student-initiated ideas Broad acessibility with focus on degree completion What s next: Further growth of project pipeline Employment credentials: create online badging system that showcases students engagement with L9 (e.g. on LinkedIn) Systematically assess student outcome
Launch-in-9 Student Feedback John Maseda (engineering) 2013/14 I find the launch in 9 program is the singular most valuable experience of my academic career. Jeremiah Scott (engineering) 2014/15 This element--understanding not only what is feasible, but also what is needed by the market, and how to define that--has pushed me to go beyond the work of engineer into the realm of innovator and inventor. I will never regret choosing Launch-in-9. Emily Wooton (business) 2013/14 http://www.launchin9.com/
Launch-in-9 Thank you!
