If You Go
What: Co.Starters Cohort for Researchers
When: 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Fridays from Aug. 23-Oct. 25; space is limited so registration must completed by Friday, Aug. 9.
Where: UTC Library Room 435 & Multi-Disciplinary Research Building and Conference Room
Cost: Free
Information: https://colab.co/calendar/co-starters-for-researchers/
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UTC is collaborating with Chattanooga’s Co.Lab to bring the nationally recognized Co.Starters program to campus.
Co. Starters Cohort for Researchers is an eight-week program to help academic researchers find ways to market their research and create business opportunities. Libby Santin, director of UTC’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, says the goal is “to make it more relevant to researchers who wish to commercialize their research or start a business with it.”
“Many people who want to start a business usually have deep knowledge and experience in their content area but need help understanding what it takes to build it into a viable business,” says Santin. “This program will get participants started down the right path.”
Ideas for entrepreneurial ventures are not limited to scientific or technological research but also originate in other departments including art, humanities, business and health and human performance, she says.
Co.Starters’ curriculum will be paired with resources from other organizations such as the University of Tennessee Research Foundation and others.
Co.Lab is a nonprofit startup accelerator that supports entrepreneurial growth in southeast Tennessee. It works with companies ranging from small businesses on Main Street to tech startups scaling into major markets.
