9:00 AM
to 10:30 AM
The Last Mile: Building an innovation ecosystem to support technology entrepreneurs
11 Attendees
Location
Washington
The last mile in the development of a new venture, moving from feasible concept to business, can result in the venture never starting. Entrepreneurs, especially those in rural communities, often lack access to the resources and expertise needed to harden the concept and convert it to an operating business. In 2009, the N2TEC Institute launched a unique summer accelerator program that included an AI2V intensive workshop and an eight-week period that addressed the critical knowledge, expertise, and resource issues of the participants by surrounding them with a team of mentors and experts. The result was the launch of five new businesses in South Dakota and one in Oregon. Participants were selected from a national call for technology entrepreneurs willing to move to Sioux Falls for the summer, receive a stipend of $15,000, and work aggressively toward the launch of their business.
Tags Fri 1D
11:00 AM
to 12:30 PM
Preparing Students to Travel Overseas: Experiences from MIT's D-Lab
6 Attendees
Location
Washington
Type Student Development, Workshops
Nadia Elkordy, Gwyn Jones, Kendra Leith, Ariel Phillips, Amy Smith, Kofi Taha
For many students, addressing challenges faced in developing countries is the most rewarding application of their education. Over the several years of their existence, D-Lab courses at MIT have been taken by many students, most of whom travel to developing countries as part of their project work. Instructors and students alike frequently face interesting and surprising challenges before and during trips. Often, what we have prepared in university classrooms and workshops looks very different when we arrive in the field. For example, it's easy to forget simple things, like making personal introductions before launching into project questions in a new village. This workshop will provide an overview of the history and development of MIT's D-Lab family of courses, as well as perspectives from former D-Lab students and trip leaders about such challenges as advance communication with community partners, design obstacles, and difficult team dynamics. We will also share stories of successful practices and lessons learned the hard way, both before and during trips. We will include opportunities for attendees to discuss their experiences and knowledge about preparing students for travel.
Tags Fri 2C
2:30 PM
to 4:00 PM
SRII/NCIIA Driving Universities' Research & Curriculum Development
Location Washington
Location Washington
NCIIA and SRII (Service Research Innovation Institute) are collaborating to drive university research and curriculum development to meet the future skills and expertise required to further grow the Service economy globally. The panel discussion will include the following: SRII's overall strategy for driving Service Innovation; SRII's focus on research and curriculum development in university programs, including a joint university research agenda/funding model, driving for a new MS in Service Science degree program (a multidisciplinary degree program incorporating sectors such as IT, computer science, IE, business management, etc.), and undergraduate electives and certification programs; SRII/NCIIA partnership plan/joint membership; and SRII as a resource for NCIIA members.
Tags Fri 3E
