DEVELOPING AN ANGEL INVESTOR FORUM TO COMPLEMENT AN ENGINEERING SCHOOL'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES

摘要

After two years of decline, entrepreneurial activity in the United States increased from 10.5 percent in 2002 to 11.9 percent in 2003. This level of activity ranks the U.S. 7th among 31 nations surveyed by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor in Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA). Importantly, the U.S. is the only nation among the G7 to register a TEA score in the top ten. Today, nearly 50 percent of the growth in the U.S. economy can be attributed to entrepreneurial activity; much of this activity is in the technology sector. Since success in a technology venture requires both technical feasibility and economic viability an engineering curriculum that integrates both aspects is of considerable value. Of the over 200 thousand graduates of college engineering and science programs each year in the U.S., a growing proportion seek employment in entrepreneurial ventures or are starting their own ventures. This trend among engineering and science graduates requires "a new type of engineer, an entrepreneurial engineer, who needs a broad range of skills and knowledge above and beyond a strong science and engineering background." Companies around the world are actively seeking innovators who can solve business problems and assess risks, in addition to being technically proficient. It is no longer sufficient for engineers to perform in isolation, excluded from the decision making processes of the organizations in which they work. One technology company CEO stated, "If an engineer is not an entrepreneur, he is just a tool."