Thinc. Entrepreneurial Week, March 23-27, once again will bring an array of innovators to UGA to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking.
This is the third year that Thinc. has sponsored a weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship with events organized by the university’s colleges and programs as well as community organizations. Throughout the week, workshops, panel discussions, competitions and networking events promise to engage, inspire and build the confidence to take ideas from concept to reality.
“Nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators is an important mission of the university,” said Vice President for Research David Lee. “Thinc. provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to connect with innovators who have seen possibilities, followed their passion and taken the plunge into the exciting world of entrepreneurship.”
New this year is a Georgia Funder campaign to raise funds for Thinc. Starter Grants of $1,000 that will help students develop their entrepreneurial skills and ideas. Grants in amounts determined by available funding will be awarded for ideas that are impact-driven, scalable and address an important societal need.
Some of the events during this year’s Thinc. Week:
• Yik Yak Day. Tyler Droll and Brooks Buffington, founders of Yik Yak, a social media app that allows people to anonymously create and view “Yaks” within a 10-mile radius, will tell the story of the founding of their controversial company, their challenges and their meteoric company growth and success.
• Digital Disruption: The Latest Ideas Driving Change. A panel representing the College of Family and Consumer Sciences share their experiences with technology. The panel will be moderated by Debbie Phillips, FACS alumna and owner/founder of The Quadrillion, an international marketing and consulting firm.
• Rhythm of a Movement. A workshop led by Stanford University dance instructor Aleta Hayes, who regularly works with Stanford’s famed D-School and uses dance and free movement to encourage creative thinking, leadership and collaboration.
• UGA/Athens Startup Ecosystem Design Thinking Session. Participants can drop in to brainstorm about how to create a better entrepreneurial community at UGA and in Athens.
• Slingshot: Sensory Overload Conference on Big Data Perceptualization. World-class scholars will present artistic and useful tools for the analysis of big data using sonification, visualization and advanced analysis. This event is part of the Athens Slingshot Festival.
• Rapid Prototyping with Emerging Technologies. Students can learn how to create engaging products with the latest technologies, including Makey Makey, littleBits, 3-D printers and more in UGA’s new Makerspace in the science library. Participants can attend a Makerspace open house later in the week.
See a complete listing of Thinc. events and information on the Thinc. Georgia Funder campaign at www.thinc.uga.edu/events.