Entrepreneurial Resources - July 25 Conference Focused on Women and Minority Technology and Science Business Efforts

As a woman with a small business, I know first hand how important it is to be connected to resources. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to be a judge for the Youthbridge Social Enterprise Innovation Competition (SEIC) at the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University. The competition provides cash awards to non-profit organizations with a business enterprise designed to support their efforts. I always enjoy the opportunity to look at new ideas and be part of this competition. In addition to the SEIC, Skandalaris offers a variety of ways that entrepreneurs, particularly women and minorities, can build their networks and increase their skills. On July 25, Skandalaris will provide another incredible opportunity with a full day conference!

This conference will provide a full day of sessions aimed at women and underrepresented groups -- to assist them in evaluating ideas and moving forward.

 “Diversity as a Catalyst for Innovation in the Sciences: Connecting Women and Underrepresented Innovators to Regional Resources” begins at 7:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, in the Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center on the Danforth Campus. It is sponsored by the Skandalaris Center, with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Partners for Innovation Program and Wells Fargo Advisors.  

“Our aim is to connect women and other minority groups with resources that can help them get their ideas off the ground,” says Kenneth A. Harrington, managing director of the Skandalaris Center. “This seminar will be a forum for people to get assistance, evaluate their ideas and find partners with common goals. We’re bringing several regional resources together in one place to talk about how the region can support entrepreneurship among women and underrepresented groups.”

As part of the workshop, the center will publish and make available online a guidebook of resources available to innovators and entrepreneurs to connect them to existing innovation support systems in the St. Louis region.

The workshop offers three learning tracks for ideas related to energy and environment, information technology, and biotechnology, as well as a fourth track for entrepreneurs who are further along with their idea and wish to pursue Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant funding.

The keynote speaker is Brenda Newberry, retired chair and founder of the Newberry Group, who will present “Why Innovation and Diversity are Critical to the St. Louis Region: Reflections from a Real Entrepreneur of St. Louis.”

The workshop will conclude with an IdeaBounce event, featuring 15 science entrepreneurs pitching their ideas followed by a reception and a dinner, all sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors.

Innovate St. Louis (@InnovateSTL) mentoring service is also providing support for the workshop.

Registration for the workshop is $20, and is required at diversityandinnovation.eventbrite.com.

I invite you to check out this conference and be aware of the many opportunities that our area colleges and universities offer to those in small business. As our economy continues to evolve, we must all look for ways to reinvent ourselves and our businesses on a regular basis -- with new knowledge and networks!