When more than 20,000 people descend on the capital city for Denver Startup Week 2018, Colorado State University will be there.
The event, which brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, successful startup owners, and business and civic leaders for educational sessions, social connections, and motivational events, will also include quite a bit of green and gold this year.
“As a part of CSU’s land-grant mission, the Institute for Entrepreneurship is built on a ‘zero barriers’ approach to entrepreneurship,” said Scott Shrake, director of the CSU Institute for Entrepreneurship. “We want to be able to help develop the skillsets and mindsets needed for all budding entrepreneurs and innovators to launch successful ventures.”
As part of a larger partnership with DSW, the University will host 10 sessions at the CSU Denver Center, and lead six expert sessions throughout the week, showcasing innovation at CSU in coordination with industry partnerships.
In addition, more than 100 students will engage with DSW, including journalism classes providing robust coverage throughout the week and hosting a CSU Newsroom in the heart of Basecamp Launched by Chase for Business – the central event location for DSW.
“This event could not have grown into the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind without the partnership of key partners like Colorado State University,” said Rye Finegan, manager of Denver Startup Week and Innovation Programs at the Downtown Denver Partnership. “Denver Startup Week is truly by the community, for the community.”
Graduate to startup businesses
Lucinda Van Inwagen, senior employer connections manager for the CSU Career Center, noted that surveys in the past few years indicate that an increasing number of students plan to start their own businesses following graduation, so the partnership was a natural fit.
The Career Center will coordinate student transportation and engagement for the Job Fair and Showcase on Sept. 26, as well as bring a cohort of students to participate in the event and attend sessions on Sept. 28.
“CSU, Fort Collins and Colorado as a whole, are nationally recognized for vibrant cultures of entrepreneurship, creativity, innovation, and startups,” Van Inwagen said. “CSU Career Center is actively partnering with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and CSU Denver Center to provide resources, opportunities, experiences, and professional connections to support our students’ interests and exploration of entrepreneurship.”
As CSU fosters the next generation of entrepreneurs in the classroom, the opportunity for students to network with – and connect with – people living the startup lifestyle is key to their experience.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for us to partner with Denver Startup Week, the world’s largest free entrepreneurial gathering, and help support a community that does so much for Colorado, the U.S., and the global entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Shrake said. “We’re excited to be part of this partnership and continue to build upon Colorado’s culture of innovation.”
For more information about CSU’s activities at Denver Startup Week, or to get involved, visit the website and follow on social media: @CSUDenverCenter, #CSUatDSW.
