An entrepreneur sees an opportunity and makes something happen.

EntrepreneurWeek UW is sponsored by the UW Foster School of Business Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Science and Engineering Business Association, and UW TechTransfer.
         
EntrepreneurWeek is a series of workshops, speaking engagements and networking opportunities focused on starting new companies.  Learn about start-ups, venture capital, technology commercialization, green ventures, social media—something for everyone. 

Who should attend?
Entrepreneurs have a determination to succeed, tremendous initiative and energy, perseverance in the face of challenge, a capacity for observation, confidence, an understanding of the value of money, and an ability to thrive on ambiguity. Does this describe your personality? If so, come hear more at a week of entrepreneurial events, speakers, and networking. Attend every event or select a la carte.  Events are FREE and open to UW students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

EntrepreneurWeek UW will take place again in November 2010.  See below for the 2009 schedule of events. 

Monday, November 16

UW Environmental Innovation Challenge: Venture Capital Funding Panel
Sieg Hall, Room 134, 4-6 p.m.
featuring Kirk Van Alstyne (Evolution Capital), Rick LeFaivre (OVP), and Daniel Malarkey (Assistant Secretary of Commerce)
The green economy is exploding!  Learn the landscape of who is funding clean tech, what stimulus money is available, and how these deals work.

From Invention to Start-up: 10 Reasons Why Early Stage Companies Fail
featuring Scott Lipsky (PhotoRocket)
Electrical Engineering, Room 125, 5:30-7 p.m.
Avoid common startup mistakes!  Hear how a startup team can get to market with the highwire act of capital, talent, and resources. 

Tuesday, November 17

Venture Capital Walk to Maveron, Frazier Healthcare & Technology Ventures, and Arch Venture Partners
Downtown Seattle, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Visit venture capital firms and hear an overview from the partners, followed by Q&A ranging from “the typical day” to specifics about market opportunities and past deals.  Limited to 25 students—sign up early! 

Lavin Speaker Series: Social Media
featuring Andy Boyer (Spring Creek Group)
BAEEC, Douglas Forum, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Learn about trends in social media and why understanding these is imperative in positioning your company.

Technology Entrepreneurship Certificate Info Session
Foege Hall, N130, 12:30-1:20 p.m.
Calling all grad students from outside the Foster Business School—if you’re thinking of starting a company one day, this certificate program will give you the “nuts and bolts” to be successful.

Wednesday, November 18

UW TechTransfer Entrepreneur Panel & Discussion
featuring Mark Oskin (PetraVM), Kristin Helton (Profusa), Dustin Miller (Nanocel), and Bob Wilcox (UWTT Entrepreneur in Residence)
Allen Center/CSE, Gates Commons, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
What happens when you’re at the UW working on a nifty technology and think it has the potential to spin-out into a real company?  It happens all the time.  Hear stories from UW faculty and students who have been there and done that.

Entrepreneurial Law Clinic: The Entrepreneur’s and Investor’s Perspective
featuring Andy Sack (Founder’s Co-op)
Law School/William H. Gates Hall, Room 212, 3:30-5 p.m.

Thursday, November 19

Start-up Walk to NanoString, Modumetal, and Julep
U District/Fremont, afternoon
Visit start-up companies ranging from high-tech to service and learn how they got off the ground, secured funding, and how their business strategies have changed along the way.  Limited to 25 students—sign up early!

Friday, November 20

UW TechTransfer LaunchPad Tech Commercialization Workshop
Balmer Hall, Room 213, 1:30-4 p.m.
You’re an engineer with a cool technology:  How do you get it to market?  You’re a business student building a tech company:  What next?  Designed for all students who want to learn more about the process of taking a technology and developing it into a company.  Fun and interactive!

Entrepreneurial Career Panel and Closing Reception
featuring Marcelo Calbucci (Seattle 2.0), Sarah Carr (Earth Class Mail), Tom Eckmann (AllGreen Renewables), David Geller (WhatCounts and EyeJot), and Lisa Hjorten (Informia)
BAEEC, Douglas Forum, 4-6 p.m.
Not sure whether to found a company or go work at a startup?  Wondering how to be entrepreneurial within a larger firm?  Join us for a discussion about how entrepreneurial careers evolve and hear tips about how to find (or create!) your dream job.