Providing a Path to Long-Term Success for Student Entrepreneurs

During the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years, the Pike Engineering Entrepreneurship Fellows Program provided funding and intensive support, guidance and mentorship for early-stage University of Virginia student entrepreneurial projects that were based on developing or commercializing some form of novel technology. In a culminating event, the student teams competed for the $50,000 Pike Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The Pike Fellows Program supported competitively selected student entrepreneurial teams during the academic year, developing each team's entrepreneurial potential and leadership skills through hands-on experiences, networking, mentoring and workshops on key topics in entrepreneurship. Teams also received initial funding up to $5,000. Participants were given access to top-tier mentors and industry experts throughout the program. The 2018-2019 teams also took a course specifically designed to help them develop critical skills for launching their businesses.