Become an entrepreneur at Kellogg
This content was originally posted in #daybreaK, a student-run daily email newsletter that features stories about things going on at Kellogg. The project was one of five to receive funding from the Kellogg Education Technology Incubator (KETI) competition.
Have you ever wondered how you go about starting your own venture while at Kellogg?
We sat down with Linda Darragh, the executive director of the Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (KIEI), and Sunny Russell, manager of entrepreneurship, to find out more. Read on if you’d like to know more about how you can explore entrepreneurship at Kellogg.
What’s new in entrepreneurship at Kellogg? What are some of the latest initiatives?
This year, we’ve launched two new courses: Entrepreneurship through Acquisition and Creativity as a Business Tool. We’re also piloting a new track of the Zell Fellows Program on Acquisition and Ownership. More changes are on the horizon, so stay tuned!
How can students get involved in entrepreneurship at Kellogg?
There are so many ways to get involved! Take New Venture Discovery, join eClub, hang out at The Garage, and don’t forget to participate in Startup Week!
Any pitch competitions coming up soon?
Kellogg students are competing in the Oregon New Venture Challenge (April 7-9), Rent the Runway Pitch Competition (April 10), Clean Energy Trust Challenge (April 12), Rice Business Plan Competition (April 14-16), Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge (April 15), and Kellogg Real Estate Venture Competition (April 27). We’re also looking forward to a great representation of Kellogg students at the Northwestern University New Venture Challenge (NUVC) on June 2.
Is there any funding available to students? How can they apply?
Absolutely. Funding is awarded through the Zell Fellows Program, Pritzker Group Venture Fellows, Project Impact, KEIP, LEAP Innovations Summer Stipend, Kellogg Social Entrepreneurship Award, NewDay Social Entrepreneurship Award, and Youn Impact Scholars.
What are key resources that Northwestern has dedicated to entrepreneurship? Are Kellogg students able to use them?
Kellogg students are encouraged to attend events and apply for programming at The Garage, access legal support through the Donald Pritzker Entrepreneurship Law Center, take interdisciplinary NUvention courses with the McCormick School of Engineering and participate in challenges, such as NUVC.
Are there any resources downtown you recommend?
Students should check out open events at 1871, especially the Founders’ Stories Series, founded by Pat Ryan Jr. ’97 and organized by current student Beth Santos. Students can also attend open events at MATTER Chicago, the medical tech incubator which was co-founded by three Kellogg alumni including Professor David Schonthal.
If students are interested in entrepreneurship and want to be involved in a startup community but don’t have an idea of their own yet, what should they do?
Students can gain a lot of valuable experience by working at a growth-stage company. We also encourage students to take New Venture Discovery or NUvention courses and attend events sponsored by KIEI, eClub and the Garage in order to connect with other entrepreneurially-minded students and potentially form a startup, or join an existing venture.
Any overall advice and words of wisdom you have for students interested in entrepreneurship?
Think big, focus on real problems, and utilize the Kellogg alumni network!