Replicating the networking, mentoring and venture creation benefits of entrepreneurship centres on a shoestring

Abstract

As support for both university-level entrepreneurship education and the use of experiential learning methods to foster student entrepreneurs has increased, so too has the number of university-established or affiliated entrepreneurship centres. This study focuses on an activity designed to combine experiential learning methods with assets associated with entrepreneurship centres, including venture creation, networking and mentoring. Students were invited to participate in a competition in which they were guided through the business creation process and pitched their ideas to investor judges who chose the winner and provided capital start-up funding and consulting. In light of this research, the authors suggest that university faculty at institutions without entrepreneurship centres can organize experiences to provide the benefits of entrepreneurship centres. The study found through the use of interviews that many of the benefits of entrepreneurship centres could be replicated in this way. The specific project is outlined, outcomes are analysed and the results and lessons learned are discussed.