Be Your Own Boss
Entrepreneurs develop valuable experience and skills, both technical and non-technical, and have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the local economy through their new business. The Pioneer Valley is developing a reputation for inclusive innovation, in part due to the significant talent pool from the colleges and universities.
UMass Resources for the Curious
Ventures @ CICS: Program providing information, advice, and support to the CICS community. Appointments available with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) to provide advice on ideas.
Berthiaume Institute: Hack UMass, business and entrepreneurship courses, Isenberg fellows (MBAs) social events
ACM: “Idea Jams”, networking with technical talent
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): MIE Innovation Makerspace
Maker Space: Engineering and Computer Science (coming soon!)
Hackathons: HackUMass, Major League Hacking
Courses: Cross Campus Entrepreneurship Courses, Udemy, edX, Coursera
Books & Articles: Talking to Humans; The Startup Checklist; “Why the Lean Startup Changes Everything”; Disciplined Entrepreneurship
UMass Resources to Advance your Idea
Ventures @ CICS: Program providing information, advice, and support to the CICS community. Appointments available with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) to offer ongoing advice on ideas.
Berthiaume Institute: Innovation Challenge, new venture advising - Isenberg IALS Innovation Fellows Program can provide business plan support
Funding: Innovation Challenge; Maroon Venture Partners Fund (Early investment in UMass Amherst companies); President’s Fund - Early investment in companies from the five campuses
Technology Transfer Office: “Envisioning Process” covering nuts-and-bolts of starting a company: IP advice, options and licenses for UMA patents, copyrights.
Digital Media Lab: Green room, sound rooms, AV equipment loans, 3D printing.
Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS): Company lease of co-laboratory space, use of 30 core research centers
CICS Careers and Ventures @ CICS collaborate to offer students many opportunities and resources to explore entrepreneurship. Let us know you are interested!
