Missouri S&T Launches Central Entrepreneurship Resource Hub
Missouri S&T students stood in front of the Innovation Lab as a new centralized website was launched to connect the campus entrepreneurial community.
Because launching startups and navigating the associated processes can overwhelm most individuals, Missouri S&T has consolidated all of its resources, events, and opportunities into a single online hub located at launch.mst.edu.
The platform was developed for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members by Dr. Rachel Kohman, assistant dean of entrepreneurship education, and Dr. Christine Karslake, associate vice chancellor of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization.
According to Kohman, the platform was sparked from the realization that there are so many different pockets of entrepreneurship happening all over campus and within the greater community
and that the university needed a way to increase visibility for everyone.
The newly launched site provides a simple roadmap to guide users through the entire entrepreneurial process. Through launch.mst.edu, individuals can discover campus organizations, startup contests, academic courses, and programs. Users are also able to connect with mentors, learn about business accelerators and funding options, and obtain support regarding intellectual property and commercialization.
We are creating a continuous loop of entrepreneurial success,
Kohman stated, adding that success comes with collaboration, and that’s what we hope this website will help support.
In addition to serving the university campus, the platform functions as a connection point for the Rolla community. Website users are able to learn about the Rolla LOOP, which serves as the newest community organization established to connect local business owners.
Dr. Jim Sterling, vice provost and dean of the Kummer College, offered a metaphor comparing entrepreneurship to a rocket launch, stating, I’m really grateful to Rachel and Christine for coordinating the ‘launch’ of Launch.
Sterling noted that the single landing page demonstrates how credit-bearing educational content can make a smooth transition into real-world launchpads.
Anyone who currently has a startup idea or is actively building a company can access launch.mst.edu to find appropriate support and become part of the growing ecosystem.