NC State to bring Entrepreneurship Expertise to Downtown Raleigh

The North Carolina State University Poole College of Management is opening an entrepreneurship clinic in downtown Raleigh that will embed their students within the entrepreneurial community and engage them in experiential learning. With the aid of faculty, these students will provide consulting services to area startups and fuel new applied research in entrepreneurship and commercialization.

The NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic is scheduled to open in February 2015, and will be located inside HQ Raleigh, at 310 S. Harrington Street.

“The Entrepreneurship Clinic, inspired by the university teaching hospital model that integrates research, teaching and real world experience, will provide a place where faculty, students, entrepreneurs and service providers go to teach, learn and build the next generation of businesses in Raleigh,” said Lewis Sheats, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship at Poole College and the clinic’s director.

“The Entrepreneurship Clinic, an outreach of The Entrepreneurship Collaborative (TEC) based in Poole College, will provide access to NC State’s team of technology commercialization experts who consult with leading companies and universities around the world,” Sheats said.

This includes both faculty whose research focuses on entrepreneurship and NC State entrepreneurship students in various academic programs across campus, including the technology entrepreneurship and commercialization (HiTEC) concentration in Poole College’s Jenkins MBA program. The HiTEC model of research-driven teaching and practice has been taught jointly for more than a decade by NC State faculty in the Poole College and the College of Engineering, and has been adapted for use at other universities in the U.S. and abroad.

“For years, we have envisioned a physical space where faculty, students and entrepreneurs can work together to learn from one another, ultimately moving commerce forward and creating extraordinary value for North Carolina’s economy,” Sheats said. “HQ Raleigh’s collaborative work space is an ideal location for bringing these resources to the Triangle’s entrepreneurship community.”

“We envision that the Entrepreneurship Clinic will be a pipeline of knowledge and talent for business incubators serving the vibrant and growing entrepreneurial community in Raleigh and beyond,” said Ira Weiss, said Ira Weiss, Stephen P. Zelnak Chair and dean of the NC State Poole College of Management.

“We know there is a pent up demand among new ventures for access to NC State entrepreneurship and commercialization expertise. This new interdisciplinary clinic provides that access as well as vital real world connections that reinforce classroom learning for our students and can lead to new areas of applied research in the area of entrepreneurship for our faculty. Being rooted in research, this clinic model is truly unique in the market,” he said.

Services available through the clinic will include:

• Walk-in hours. Entrepreneurs can walk in or make appointments to meet with clinic staff, including internationally recognized NC State entrepreneurship faculty and graduate and undergraduate students working under their guidance.
• New venture development and research space. Students and faculty can bring their startup projects to the clinic, and faculty will collaborate on research initiatives.
• Community and networking events. The clinic plans to host NC State alumni gatherings, workshops, guest speakers and pitch competitions, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship events in partnership with others.

Sheats has an extensive background in new venture planning, concept consulting, logistics, opportunity identification and analysis, manufacturing organization, marketing and strategic planning. His leadership has expertly guided the launch and development of several companies from concept to profitability. Read more about the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic.

About The Entrepreneurship Collaborative

The Entrepreneurship Collaborative (TEC) is the home for all NC State Poole College of Management entrepreneurship-related activities. The TEC team sees entrepreneurs as the leaders in economic development and innovation – solving problems, seeking opportunities and building a sustainable future for the world. Building on the rich history of entrepreneurship in the Poole College of Management, TEC provides a cornerstone for economic development through its service to and engagement with the local, regional, national and international entrepreneurship communities. Embedding students in these entrepreneurial ecosystems puts them on the path to becoming the founders and innovators of tomorrow. Read more about The Entrepreneurship Collaborative.

About NC State University Poole College of Management and Jenkins Graduate Programs

The NC State University Poole College of Management focuses on management education for a technology driven global marketplace. The college offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration and economics, as well as custom and open enrollment executive education programs are delivered by the college’s Executive Programs, LLP. The college’s Jenkins Graduate programs include the Master of Business Administration, Master of Accounting, and the Master of Global Innovation Management. The MBA program includes full time, part-time for working professionals, and online options. Master’s and doctoral degree programs in economics are offered jointly with NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Corporate engagement opportunities are available through the college’s centers and initiatives that support academic and outreach programs in biosciences management, enterprise risk management, innovation management, supply chain management, and technology entrepreneurship and commercialization. Poole College’s accounting and business programs are accredited by AACSB International.

About HQ Raleigh

HQ Raleigh is a shared workspace designed to provide an environment that empowers, fosters, and cultivates companies that produce long-term job growth and positive social impact. HQ Raleigh addresses two challenges faced by entrepreneurs: building a trusted support community and gaining access to flexible, affordable office space. Read more about HQ Raleigh.