Middlebury Entrepreneurs
Middlebury Entrepreneurs is a winter term course for students who want to learn the entrepreneurial framework, start their own business or non-profit organization, or generally learn about innovation, entrepreneurship, or venture capital. On their own or in groups, students will follow the process from ideation to launch quickly and effectively through class discussions, deliverables, and hands-on mentoring both from professors and visiting entrepreneurs and investors. While students are encouraged to apply to the course with a business idea they’d like to pursue as part of a team, it is not a requirement. Individuals without a concrete idea can become team members of other startups, or valuable “utility players,” filling the role of startup consultants or contractors. Class will be focused on building a prototype, testing the intended market or target group, and engaging with potential clients or customers. There is also a strong focus on meeting and connecting with innovation leaders and world renown companies right here in Vermont. Past field trips have included Burton Snowboards, Dealer.com, Mamava, as well as innovation and maker spaces around Vermont. At the conclusion of the course, teams or individuals will pitch their ideas to a panel of innovators, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders for the Will Nash Memorial prize. (Approval Required) (Pass/Fail)

David Bradbury is President of the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) which offers expert business mentoring, venture capital, coworking and accelerator facilities, and substantive networking to the region’s entrepreneurs and next generation employers.

Samantha “Sam” Roach-Gerber is a 2013 graduate of Northeastern University where she studied Organizational Communication and Environmental Studies. As Director of Innovation at VCET, Sam oversees programming and partnerships, membership, events, communications and marketing; she also co-hosts VCET’s podcast, Start Here./