About Entrepreneurship Week 2008 at Stanford

In 2007, the Stanford Entrepreneurship Network (SEN), a federation of organizations across campus, held its first Entrepreneurship Week at Stanford celebration. It was an enormous success, with standing room only at every event. Stanford University was also the site of the national launch of EntrepreneurshipWeek USA. Click here to see what happened last year.

Entrepreneurship is of enormous interest on campus, because the Stanford community recognizes that the 21st Century will belong to innovators who can turn ideas into action. This applies more than ever to today's students, who need to be self-starters and possess an entrepreneurial mindset, regardless of what they go on to do in life.

For Entrepreneurship Week 2008, SEN has again planned a series of exciting events to engage students in various dimensions of entrepreneurship. Events include presentations by prestigious speakers; roundtable discussions; mixers; VC/student "speed dating" allowing students to pitch their ideas; and a start-up job fair. Stanford will also host the Innovation Tournament, an "Apprentice-style" competition that will be open to student teams around the world. The acclaimed documentary film, Imagine It!, will also be making its world premiere (view the trailer); it captures the dreams and excitement of last year's Innovation Tournament and features numerous Stanford students.

View the current agenda, and mark your calendar! We'll see you there!

Find out how to get involved.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who can attend Entrepreneurship Week events?

Events are open to all students, alumni, members of the greater Stanford community, and the general public. Only students can compete in the Innovation Tournament. Only Stanford students can apply to present business pitches during VC Speed Dating, though anyone can attend the reception following the formal pitches.

Do I need to register or RSVP?

For most events, no. See detail pages on the website for each event to get more information. Seating for all events is first come, first served, so plan to get there early! Students must register in advance to compete in the Innovation Tournament. Stanford students must apply in advance to make a formal pitch during the VC Speed Dating event (applications due December 9). Registration is required for the Entrepreneurship Conference at the Graduate School of Business.

Where can I park? What about public transit?

Parking on the Stanford campus is free after 4:00 PM. For information on daily scratchers and parking meters, please visit the Parking & Transporation Services website. The Stanford Continuing Studies website has a great list of parking suggestions for campus visitors. You can also take the Marguerite Shuttle from downtown Palo Alto or the Caltrain station.

What is the cost?

All events are free, with the exception of the Entrepreneurship Conference at the Graduate School of Business on February 27; there is a fee for that event only.

How can I get involved?

Here are some suggestions for Stanford students.

Sign up to participate in the Innovation Tournament
Sign up for VC/Student Speed Dating to give a business pitch and hear feedback (applications due December 9)
Volunteer to help out at an event and gain a more in-depth networking opportunity
Join the SEN mailing list to become part of the Stanford entrepreneurship community
Attend as many events as you can

Here is how alumni, businesses and other members of the Stanford community can get involved; contact Belén Torres-Gil at belen@stanford.edu for details.

Donate audience prizes (giveaway items with or without your company logo)
Donate prizes for the Innovation Tournament winners
Nominate judges for the Innovation Tournament
Venture capitalists: Sign up for the VC/Student Speed Dating to hear business pitches and provide feedback
Start-Ups: Have a recruiting booth at the "Start-Up 101" Job Fair
Students at other schools: Sign up to participate in the Innovation Tournament
Join the SEN mailing list to become part of the Stanford entrepreneurship community
Plan to attend any or all of the events

For other questions, please email Belén Torres-Gil at belen@stanford.edu.