Panelists and a keynote speaker educated students about mixing science with business.
Biology and economics senior Ravi Parikh stopped by the Entrepreneurial Forum to gain even more insight into entrepreneurship. Parikh already owns his own start-up called Diesel Promotions.AUSTIN, Texas - The College of Natural Sciences' first Entrepreneurial Forum brought community leaders and students together to get down to science as well as business.
The forum, which was hosted by the new CNS Entrepreneurial Society, was the first of its kind in the college. It began with a tabling event where students could learn about local companies that help students with the entrepreneurial process. Some in attendance were Texas Venture Labs, Lynx Labs and Emergent Technologies.
“We are here today to get UT students excited about entrepreneurship,” said Tim Krebs, a representative of Emergent Technologies. “We believe UT has worked hard to increase its focus on stimulating entrepreneurship in students and it shows. Emergent Technologies works with entrepreneurs, scientists and business people to offer resources and technology to cultivate ideas. We are here to get our name out and help students learn about what we do.”
A panel of experts that spoke to students about entrepreneurship included Jay Manickam, Co-Founder & VP, Uship; Dan Graham, CEO and Co-Founder, BuildaSign.com; Michael Cubbage, Co-Founder, BigFoot Networks; Ellis Winstanley, Principal, Austin Acquisitions, LLC; and Matthew Sullivan, Co-Founder, Famigo.
“It was just a great first event,” said Dr. Skip Porter, the associate dean for innovation & science enterprise in the college as well as the Entrepreneurial Society’s faculty adviser. “It was well attended with wonderful student involvement and response. We definitely plan on holding it again.”
The forum concluded with a keynote lecture from John Paul DeJoria, a successful businessman and philanthropist best known as co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patron Spirits Company. DeJoria spoke about his rags-to-riches biography as a first-generation American turned entrepreneur, philanthropist, government servant, and pillar of the business community.
Numerous students came out to learn more about entrepreneurship. Some were learning in-depth about entrepreneurship for the first time.
“I really wanted to hear more about what entrepreneurship is,” said Hannah McDonald, a freshman biology major. “I am a pre-med student and we normally don’t focus on it, but I think it’s important to learn about.”
Other students who have entrepreneurial experience or even already have their own start-ups just wanted to get more info.
“Because I already have my own start-up company, I thought I would see what the forum today was about,” said Ravi Parikh, a biology and economics senior. “It’s called Diesel Promotions, a music promotions company. We have already had numerous successful shows here in Austin.”
Comments 1
It's great to see young students have the desire and will power to go out there and start their own businesses and make a name for themselves. Stories like these is what makes the American Dream something special, anyone can achieve it.
Luke | Davis Sign Co