U News 1 | Vanderbilt releases artist renderings of its planned West Palm Beach Campus
Venture Capital Investment Competition will be held in Chapel Hill on April 11 and 12
From Vanderbilt University:
As Vanderbilt University continues to partner with the Palm Beach region to explore the potential for a campus in West Palm Beach, the university has released artist renderings of its planned West Palm Beach Campus. The renderings offer a preview of its vision to create a vibrant graduate school that focuses on business, data science and artificial intelligence, and a state-of-the-art innovation center that fosters collaboration among start-ups, investors, established businesses, and academia.
The proposed project has achieved remarkable progress in a short time. In the fall of 2024, Vanderbilt was unanimously granted five acres of county-owned land and two acres of city-owned land for the location by county and city commissioners, respectively. The next step to realize the vision for this campus now shifts to reaching a fundraising target of $300 million set by Vanderbilt’s Board of Trust. Today’s release of new renderings aims to generate awareness and excitement for community philanthropic investment in the project.
“We are delighted to share these renderings and our vision for a West Palm Beach campus,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. “The images show that we are planning a unique learning and research environment that nurtures collaboration and innovation and is sustainable in all senses.”
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From the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill:
The finals of the annual Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) will be held in Chapel Hill on April 11 and 12. Hosted by the Kenan-Flagler Business School, the event is the world’s largest venture capital competition with more than 120 university undergraduate and graduate school teams competing. VCIC is the only place where students get to be VCs for the day and startups get an immersion in the fundraising process.
The teams are selected through regional competitions – 13 for MBA and graduate students, including five that are held in other countries, and nine for undergraduates, including two held in Canada and Ireland.
From the University of Mississippi:
Innovators and future business owners in the Magnolia State will soon have an opportunity to learn from experts in the field at the 10th annual Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum.
Registration is open for the forum, an annual gathering where economic developers, aspiring business owners, students and entrepreneurs can learn about operating successful businesses in the state.
“We are excited to convene the 10th annual Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum in Ridgeland this year,” said J.R. Love, Assistant Director of Economic Development at the University of Mississippi‘s Insight Park. “Our planning team is committed to advancing economic development across the state through a collaborative approach.”
The forum is slated for April 3-4 at Embassy Suites in Ridgeland. Entrepreneurs at any stage of business development can network with peers and those who have successfully begun operations in the state.
The annual event is organized by the Grisham-McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement and the Office of Economic Development as a part of the Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development initiative. A committee of representatives from all Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning schools and statewide organizations also support the event.
From the University of Louisville:
A 40-year veteran of medical and higher education experience at the University of Louisville has been named the university’s Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation, pending approval of the Board of Trustees. Jon Klein, who has served in the role as an interim since January 2024, will officially take the position on February 13.
In his new leadership role, Klein will oversee the university’s research enterprise, including research development and administration, industry engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the translation of university discoveries to commercialization and societal impact.
From Eastern Michigan University:
Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is hosting the 2025 “Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference” and “Skandalaris Business Plan Competition.” The conference will be held on Friday, March 14 with a breakfast and welcome address will begin at 9 a.m., and the conference will conclude at 1:30 p.m.
“This conference is a celebration of innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit,” said Sanjib Chowdhury, EMU Center for Entrepreneurship Director. It provides a platform for students to bring their ideas to life while connecting with industry leaders and fostering the growth of our regional entrepreneurial community.”
The “Sesi Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference” brings together students, educators, and business leaders across the Midwest to foster innovation and celebrate entrepreneurship. During the “Skandalaris Business Plan Competition,” attendees will hear from keynote speakers, participate in engaging discussions, and witness the creativity of student entrepreneurs in action.
Dilip Dubey, a highly regarded artificial intelligence (AI) pioneer, entrepreneur, and investor, will kick off the morning as the breakfast keynote speaker, offering insights on leveraging AI to transform businesses. The lunch keynote speaker – Justin Onwenu, inaugural Director of Entrepreneurship and Economic Opportunity for the City of Detroit – will highlight his work empowering Detroiters, supporting start-ups, and driving economic innovation.
The Skandalaris Business Plan Competition, a cornerstone of the event, will showcase the talents of student finalists from both high school and college categories. Each finalist will present a business plan to a panel of judges, competing for cash prizes and the coveted “Best Presentation” award.
From the University of Maine:
In an initiative that sounds very much like Launch Tennessee’s Summer Internship Program, the University of Maine’s Foster Center for Innovation has opened applications for the 2025 Innovate for Maine Fellows Program. This premier internship initiative will connect up to 60 Maine college students with the state’s most innovative companies, offering paid, hands-on internships that drive growth and impact.
Innovate for Maine is looking for students who are passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. Those who are eligible for the program include undergraduate and graduate students at Maine colleges and universities, Maine residents attending out-of-state schools, and individuals with strong ties to the state. Selected students tackle exciting projects such as product development, market research, computer programming, prototyping, videography, and social media marketing, all while building professional networks and preparing for future success. Since its inception in 2012, Innovate for Maine has helped 360 students gain invaluable experience with more than 280 Maine businesses.
Through funding from the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan (MJRP), which was provided to the University of Maine System for workforce development, eligible Maine businesses with fewer than 250 employees that delayed business formation or were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can host an intern at no cost. The funds will help support Maine start-ups and small businesses as they recover and grow post-pandemic.
From the University of Cincinnati:
The University of Cincinnati’s (UC) 1819 Innovation Hub buzzed with energy during a recent weekend as more than 120 students from various Ohio colleges gathered to bring their start-up ideas to life. Hosted by the UC Center for Entrepreneurship, the third-annual UC Start-up Weekend saw participants transform their business concepts into viable ventures in just three days.
Designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, more than 20 mentors and entrepreneurs from companies and organizations such as Main Street Ventures, Queen City Angels, Zooky, Refinery Ventures, and Fireroad were invited. Participating student teams gained exclusive access to 1819’s cutting-edge resources such as the Ground Floor Makerspace, equipping them with the tools and space to transform their ideas into reality.
Four teams took home a total of $5,000 in prize money.
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