(Arnolds Park)– Officials with the Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity, the Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers at the University of Iowa, the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the State Board of Regents announced Tuesday plans to hold an entrepreneurial institute this summer at Lakeside Laboratory on West Lake Okoboji.
Mary Lawyer of the Iowa Department of Economic Development says 24 students from the regents universities will attend the institute July 30th through August 4th. Lawyer says the students will work in teams on a computer-based simulation in the morning that incorporates the creation and operation of a new business and a fundraising round where the teams have to present their plans to community volunteer venture capitalists to acquire capital to fuel growth for their simulated companies.
Tom Bedell, a member of the board of regents, helped come up with the idea of the entrepreneurial institute. He says funding for the program is coming from private individuals, businesses and organizations. Bedell says the goal is to raise 30-thousand dollars. Anyone interested in contributing should contact the Corridor of Opportunity.
Housing for the students will be provided by lakes area homeowners.
Another organization involved in the effort is the newly founded ArtsLIVE group. Spokesperson Sheryl Hall says they have some special events and workshops planned this summer to compliment the entrepreneurial institute, including a June 5th concert by the San Jose Taiko Drummers on the green space in Arnolds Park.
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