Arizona State University is launching a new program to encourage postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to turn their ideas into businesses.
Rapid Startup School, starting Oct. 25, allows aspiring ASU entrepreneurs to receive real-world training in the essentials of launching a new business, said Charlie Lewis, vice president of venture development for ASU’s technology transfer arm, Arizona Technology Enterprises. Mini-modules, two or three hours long depending on the subject matter, delivered after hours on the main ASU Tempe campus will offer networking sessions and allow participants to work on their ideas outside of class. After the program concludes, one-on-one meetings with relevant new startups will further develop their plans, and product development sessions will be scheduled with ASU Venture Catalyst team members.
This program is offered free to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and is based on a similar program that Venture Catalyst director Gordon McConnell ran at Dublin City University in Ireland.
