New Initiative Trains Engineers as Entrepreneurs to Support Regional Innovation

The Stanford Technology Ventures Program has launched a new program for Ph.D. students that provides training in entrepreneurship and innovation. But unlike other entrepreneurship programs the Accel Innovation Scholars Program takes a holistic approach, training students to prepare for roles that support regional innovation ecosystems.

The year-long program, housed within Stanford’s School of Engineering, was created to service doctoral program students who are eager to learn how to evaluate the commercial availability of new technology and bring commercially viable products to the marketplace. Stanford’s engineering students traditionally graduate into careers in large companies. The program is designed to provide students with a strong background in entrepreneurship and innovation to contribute to the dynamic growth of large companies or encourage them to join or launch their own startups.

The program launched last month with a dozen Ph.D. students from across the Engineering School who are engaged in weekly meetings that focus on opportunity evaluation, technology commercialization, and entrepreneurial leadership. The program includes the use of case studies with guest speakers, field trips, guest speakers, and group projects. Mentors are assigned to work with students through all phases of the program. The program is sponsored by Accel Partners, a global VC firm based in Palo Alto, that was interested in connecting Stanford students to broader opportunities in the surrounding Bay Area innovation ecosystem.

Stanford’s program is an example of deepening university-industry partnerships that support public-private collaboration to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.

Learn More at SSTI's 17th Annual Conference!

The topic of University-Industry relationships will be addressed during our conference session on the Shifting Dynamics of University-Industry Relationships; a primer for university, industry, and TBED professionals to learn about emerging models for stronger, more collaborative partnerships. Representatives from Intel and Portland State University will discuss the contours of their partnership with the city of Portland and how supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through education has enriched their community and their organizations.