By Carson Markle
Here at Northeastern University, students are provided with a plethora of resources that give them the opportunity to cultivate their ideas into start-ups that can have an impact beyond campus or even beyond Boston. Ranked fourth in undergraduate entrepreneurship programs by the Princeton Review for 2017, Northeastern has proven itself to be a hotspot for young entrepreneurs. Not only does Northeastern boast an impressive entrepreneurship curriculum, it also supplements this with access to services from campus organizations and resources for anyone in the Northeastern community with a business idea.
One of the most prominent resources for entrepreneurs on campus is IDEA, a student-run venture accelerator that supports those starting a business from initial concept all the way to go-to-market strategy. Furthermore, IDEA strongly encourages and is actively looking for students or alumni who are interested in starting a social venture. I know from experience that IDEA has optimistic and dedicated staff who will work to improve upon any ideas that you might bring to the table. The Social Enterprise Institute strongly encourages anyone with socially-responsible venture ideas to contact IDEA and begin developing their concept into reality. IDEA can provide funding for your venture, and there are funds set aside specifically for social ventures.
Another valuable resource on campus for social ventures is Mosaic, which is a collaboration between student organizations that can assist you in key areas of your venture such as design, accounting, intellectual property, and more. Mosaic can help align you with peers who share your interests and passions in whatever field your startup is in.
Lastly, Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) will be hosted at Northeastern University this October and this is yet another great opportunity and incentive for students to develop creative social venture ideas. Be sure to apply by the final deadline of May 1, 2017 with your Commitment to Action.
If you think you have the next great business in social entrepreneurship, please feel free to email the Social Enterprise Institution Student Association (seisa@neu.edu) and we will work hard to help you turn your idea into a full-fledged social venture.
Sources
https://www.princetonreview.com/press/top-entrepreneurial-press-release
https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative/meetings/cgi-university
