Never before have the opportunities for entrepreneurs been so abundant, according to David Lee, vice president for research.
“We live in a remarkably fast-paced world, where new ideas and products can quickly become the foundation for a strong business, a life-changing charity or a much-needed community support program,” he said.
UGA started the Thinc. initiative to make sure that the next generation of leaders and innovators learns how to take their ideas from concept to reality. The initiative promotes entrepreneurship and fosters economic development in the region by providing inspiration and advice to those contemplating a plunge into the competitive and exciting world of entrepreneurship.
Thinc. hosts a variety of new and ongoing programs and events to help UGA students, faculty and staff see the world of opportunities both locally and globally, and to start something in response.
“That ‘something’ started might be a new for-profit company or a not-for-profit social venture,” Lee said. “It might change something in your own neighborhood or community, or it might change the world. The important thing is that you find your passion and act on it.”
Thinc. at UGA culminates every year with Thinc. Entrepreneurial Week, a weeklong celebration that includes lectures, workshops, panel discussions, competitions and networking events that promise to engage, inspire and build the confidence that will make participants strong competitors in the modern marketplace.
Each day of Thinc. Entrepreneurial Week, which begins April 13, will feature a signature “Start Something” event, including a hackathon, a Thinc. Prize for Innovation, a panel of top UGA alumni business owners, a business plan competition and events related to social entrepreneurship, the arts and networking.
Thinc. became an ongoing initiative to foster entrepreneurship at UGA following the success of the inaugural Entrepreneurial Week last spring. Recognizing the high student interest in entrepreneurship, UGA colleges and schools have developed a number of new programs to help those exploring entrepreneurship take their initial steps.
“Last year reinforced how important it is for us to supplement traditional university education with practical and inspiring programs such as these that encourage our students as well as our faculty to start something-to think like entrepreneurs, solve problems and create new opportunities,” Lee said.
