Time and Resources Crucial To Flourishing Innovation
Dec. 4, 2009
By Rebecca Townsend
Computer whizzes may have ideas that can change the world, but moving them into the marketplace requires a multifaceted skill set and a robust resource base.
The availability of financial support from MU's Interdisciplinary Innovation Fund, was instrumental in allowing a team of Missouri students to develop the no. 1 real estate application for the iPhone, said journalism student Tony Brown.
"One of the biggest things that helped my team out was having this funding and resources available that helped get our project off the ground."
Pools of venture capital are also available off-campus, said Andrew Beverley, chairman of Centennial Investors. About four years ago in recognition of the local need to guide and stimulate promising new business, a group of about 50 professionals joined forces to provide a forum for entrepreneurs to present their business plans to qualified investors, he said.
"Equally, maybe even more, important is the mentoring and coaching our mentors can provide."
Making students aware of available resources is likely to unearth hidden talent, said business major Anthony Gotelli.
"If you can just get the message out: There are resources to take your business to the next level, you don't have to be just operating in your dorm room."
It's daunting to figure out financing issues, agreed the journalism school's incredulous Jasmine Reese:
"Do I Google who will give me a vat of money?"
Reese emphasized that even as digitized as her generation is, no amount of online networking can equal the value offered by the experienced guidance offered by real world mentors.
For more information on REDI, click here or contact Michele Holmes at 573-442-8303.