Business & Economy Campus News

Incoming students get a taste of innovation

Incoming student Hussain Hassan pitches a startup business idea during Dawg Camp Innovate at Studio 225 on Aug. 19, 2020. (Photo by Peter Frey/UGA)

Dawg Camp Innovate introduces incoming students to entrepreneurship opportunities

As the University of Georgia prepared to reopen campus for classes, a few first-year students donned masks to preview in-person learning this semester.

Sixteen incoming University of Georgia students participated in Dawg Camp Innovate, an extended orientation program that introduced them to the UGA and Athens entrepreneurship community and the resources to help them grow businesses or develop their idea.

Students met Wednesday in Studio 225, UGA’s Student Center for Entrepreneurship, to learn about entrepreneurship opportunities and even get a taste of pitching their own business ideas. Breaking off into groups, the students came up with hypothetical startup companies and then pitched those ideas.

The program is part of UGA’s nationally recognized Dawg Camp program, which assists students with their transition into the university community. Typically a weeklong program, this year Dawg Camp Innovate was shortened as the university geared up for a return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.