The broader/commercial impacts of this project include the enhancement and improvement of scientific, engineering and/or educational activities and benefit the high technology research community by enhancing their entrepreneurial ecosystem. The goals include the following: (1) providing entrepreneur education to help founders and their teams understand the due diligence process, pitching to investors and funding strategies; (2) providing connection building between startups and investors to expand the local capital network; (3) providing a venue for connecting entrepreneurs to mentors, advisors, and guidance; (4) providing access to capital for early-stage companies. The workshops aim at outreach to, and education of, the broader entrepreneurial community. The intellectual merit of this project includes a series of substantive, engaging workshops/events focused on catalyzing the education of investors and entrepreneurs; showcasing innovative startups; and connecting the companies with potential investment. The program focuses on key points for the entrepreneurial community such as best practices for startup businesses, fund raising strategies, expanding and leveraging networks, as well as connecting entrepreneurs to advisors and mentors.
