From a marathon game development competition to how to start a home-based business to running a biotechnology startup, Thinc. Week, held March 28 to April 1, offers the UGA community an opportunity to learn what it takes to move an idea from inspiration to business.
This year’s Thinc. Week, sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, brings together an array of innovators from UGA and beyond to engage, inspire and build the confidence to take the plunge into entrepreneurship through workshops, panel discussions, competitions and events across the UGA campus.
“Thinc. Week seeks to showcase all the creativity happening on campus, adding to the momentum of innovation and entrepreneurship that is happening,” said Jared Bybee, Thinc. director. “Students from any major should feel like they are in a great place to tackle a problem or start a business. There are great resources and a fantastic community of students for anyone who wants to be involved.”
UGA’s Thinc. Week coincides with entrepreneurship events in the Athens community, including Startup Week, sponsored by startup incubator FourAthens; Athens Slingshot Festival, featuring visual artists, musicians and leading innovators on a range of technologies; and Athens Success Summit, picking up where Slingshot leaves off, with major keynotes, breakout sessions, sponsored events, live music and more.
Thinc. Week highlights:
March 28
• From Idea to Marketplace: More than 575 products and 130 startup companies have originated from UGA research. Hear these success stories and meet the inventors at Innovation Gateway’s open house. Refreshments available. 4-5:30 p.m., Center for Applied Genetic Technologies, 111 Riverbend Road.
March 29
• Bulldog 100 Winners: Alumni entrepreneurs from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences will discuss topics in entrepreneurship. 12:30-1:45 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m., 102 Miller Learning Center.
• FACS Alumni Entrepreneurs & Innovators: A panel discussion with successful alumni entrepreneurs. 3:30-5 p.m., 120 Robert C. Wilson Pharmacy Building.
• Thinc. Open House/Club Fair: Come meet like-minded students, get involved with entrepreneurship at UGA. Refreshments available. 7 p.m., Studio 1, 225 W. Broad St.
March 30
• Student Marketplace: An opportunity for student entrepreneurs to sell, demonstrate and recruit for their businesses on campus. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tate Plaza.
• From Homeless to Hypergrowth: A punk art student’s path to building one of America’s fastest growing companies. Hear Kit Hughes, UGA alumnus and founder of the digital agency Look-Listen, describe his journey to success. 3-4 p.m., 101 Miller Learning Center.
• Terry College Next Top Entrepreneur Competition: Eight teams from UGA and other colleges compete for prizes as they pitch their companies. Networking, 5-6 p.m.; competition, 6-9 p.m. Hotel Indigo, 500 College Ave.
• Starting Your Home-Based Business Workshop: Learn the basics of starting a business, marketing strategies to set you apart, pricing, customer satisfaction. Free lunch provided. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 142 Tate Center. Registration: pjmoon@uga.edu. Sponsored by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
April 1
• GameJam: Create a game in 48 hours. The theme will be announced at the start of the Jam. Food provided. Prizes to be awarded. Sponsored by Thinc., UGA Hacks and Georgia Game Developers Association. Register: http://athensgamejam.com. 6 p.m. 225 W. Broad St.
April 4
• Cloning Technologies to Regenerative Medicine: Science Fiction to Reality. Georgia Bio and UGA Innovation Gateway will hold a panel discussion with UGA entrepreneurs and commercialization advisers. 4-7 p.m., Hotel Indigo, 500 College Ave.