E*NTREPRENEURSHIP at Rensselaer

Frequently Asked Questions about E*ntrepreneurship at Rensselaer

Q.	I have a great idea, who can I talk to about entrepreneurship?
A.	If you are reading this, you are already on the Eship.rpi.edu Web site where there are numerous resources to help you learn more about entrepreneurship. Click-through the site to find details on: lectures, events and workshop schedules; student idea competitions; more than 400 video clips and past entrepreneur lectures; over 20 case studies; alumni entrepreneur profiles; a complete section on protecting intellectual property and much more.
Q.	Rensselaer says “It’s not essential that everyone become an entrepreneur, but it is important that everyone know how to think like one.” Why should I care?
A.	There are numerous reasons. A few key reasons include: • You may find yourself working for an entrepreneur; • Everyone faces life–changing events that demand you reinvent yourself; also, entrepreneurship skills are life skills with value for whatever you do; • You should complement your disciplinary education and expand your frame of reference to enhance your resume; • Many innovative ideas come later in life and you will be better prepared with E*ship skills.
Q.	Do I have to be a business major to participate in entrepreneurship programs?
A.	No. In fact, most students participating in E*ship programs and learning new skills are from the Engineering, Science, Humanities Arts & Social Sciences and Architecture Schools at RPI.
Q.	Where can I find a list of courses with entrepreneurship content?
A.	On the Eship Web site, eship.rpi.edu, most pages have a graphic link to our Course Finder search engine. This page enables students to find courses across all of Rensselaer’s schools that have Eship content embedded.
Q.	Are there any special programs or clubs for student entrepreneurs?
A.	The Office of Entrepreneurship Exemplars Program is especially designed for students who have a particular interest in entrepreneurship. As an Exemplar member, a student can earn points for participating in Eship activities across the campus. Students who accumulate 100 points during their time at RPI can qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship and a personal letter of recommendation from the Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship. There is also a student–run Entrepreneurship Club that operates as part of the Student Union programs.
Q.	How do I earn a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship at Rensselaer?
A.	Students who register as Exemplar members, participate in E*ship events and programs and accumulate 100 points during their time at RPI can qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship and a personal letter of recommendation from the Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship. Students can earn points for most activities across the campus that include a component of entrepreneurship including idea competitions, lectures, workshops, class projects, internships and much more.
Q.	Are there any student idea competitions on campus?
A.	Students can test their ideas and compete for significant cash prizes four times during the school year. The Change the World Challenge is conducted in the fall and spring semesters and offers up to 10 winners each semester the opportunity to share in a $10,000 prize pool. Each year, one of the many winners from both semesters will also be selected as a Grand Prize winner and awarded an additional $5,000.
	In February and March, the Class of ‘51 Idea Competition provides a similar chance to win recognition and a $5,000 grand prize. And, the E*ship Elevator Pitch Competition tests student ideas and how they are presented for $3,000 in prize awards.
Q.	Can I commercialize on ideas and work that I do in the classroom or as part of a class project? How can I protect my idea, technology or intellectual property? Should I apply for a patent?
A.	Success in bringing a new idea to life and to market may depend on how well you protect your innovation. The eship.rpi.edu Web site includes an Intellectual Property page with numerous video clips, guidelines and tools for protecting ideas and innovations. The Rensselaer Intellectual Property Policy outlines the Institute’s guidelines for ownership of ideas developed on campus. The Office of Technology Commercialization manages the policy and provides considerable information for students and researchers on the IP, patent and commercialization processes. The OTC also has a program through which students can graduate with a provisional patent and a license for an invention developed on campus.
Q.	Are there any groups on campus who can help me commercialize my idea?
A.	In addition to the Office of Technology Commercialization, other campus resources that assist students with ideas ready for commercialization are the Severino Center for Technology Entrepreneurship and the Emerging Ventures Ecosystem (EVE). The Severino Center is part of the Lally School and provides business development support. EVE leverages resources for early-stage, “virtual” business incubation.
Q.	Does Rensselaer have a mentoring program for student entrepreneurs?
A.	The Office of E*ntrepreneurship partners with the Rensselaer Alumni Association and the Emerging Ventures Ecosystem to provide access to experienced, entrepreneurial mentors for students with entrepreneurial ideas and ventures.