April 18, 2008

Students pitch startup business ideas and technology transfer class reports on new research lab inventions

(Columbia, MD) - The public is invited to join investors, business leaders, research scientists and others for Howard Community College's (HCC) increasingly popular "Entrepreneurial Celebration," where students showcase business ideas and innovations.  The event is Wednesday, May 14, 2008, and will begin in The Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF) first floor with a networking reception at 5:30 p.m. and student presentations beginning at 6:00 p.m.

This semester, there will be three separate student presentations.  “Rocket Marketing” features outstanding students from HCC’s “Entrepreneurship & Creativity” course competing against the clock to pitch their new business ideas to a juried panel.  Students from HCC’s course "Technology Transfer from Invention to Marketplace," will present their analysis of marketplace potential for several new inventions from government-supported research labs such as Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Lab, NASA Goddard, and USDA.   Finally, Hospitality and Culinary students will showcase their business ideas within the Hospitality arena.

Several businesses have been launched and inventions commercialized since HCC first began incorporating entrepreneurship into the curriculum, including credit and noncredit learning opportunities, credentials, and resources.  In addition to offering an innovative Entrepreneurship Studies program, HCC's Business & Computer Systems Division is the home of the Center for Entrepreneurial & Business Excellence (CEBE).  The Center supports students and community members with their small business dreams and development by offering a strategic blend of applied coursework, work experience, and ongoing coaching.  HCC is also the lead institutional partner in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology Assessment Program (TAP) grant that funds the college's unique technology transfer course. 

The event is free and light refreshments will be served.  Past events have drawn a large crowd from the government and business community, so reservations are recommended by calling 410-772-4785.