The Entrepreneurs Academy Begins!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Today was the first day of classes for The Entrepreneurs Academy (TEC), and it did not disappoint! For months, our partners at The Entrepreneurs Center have been working hard to prepare this course, for which we are forever grateful!

Morning introductions included "two truths and a lie" about each of us.

The day kicked off with the marshmallow challenge game, which forced students to work together creatively to solve a problem. The take-away? Iterate, collaborate, and take risks. TEC President, Scott Koorndyk, explained it best when he told the students that they must be willing to take risks, expect failure, and learn from their mistakes.

Edna's and Dario's team won the marshmallow challenge!

Jordan Roe led the discussion after the marshmallow challenge and discussed why kindergarteners are typically much better at this activity than most adults are! *(Hint - it's not because they're smarter)*

After an overview of entrepreneurship and some background about The Entrepreneurs Center, the group walked across the street to visit Ascend, a local tech company that specializes in bringing medical technology to market. There, the students got to see a demonstration of a product that has not yet entered the market and tour their new facilities. Ascend is an affiliate of the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, which is co-located with Ascend.

Visiting Ascend

Students listening to a presentation from representatives of Ascend

During their visit, the students were treated to a quesadilla lunch sponsored and prepared by Basil's on Market in Dayton! The students walked away with a snapshot of a successful local company that has figured out how to find its "niche" in the tech & healthcare industry right here in Dayton.

Ascend seems like a great place to work - their kitchen table doubles as a ping pong table!

The visit included a short tour of the office as well.

After their visit, the students went back to TEC to debrief. After their discussion, the day ended with a short documentary entitled "Generation Startup," which is about six recent college graduates who risk it all to create businesses in Detroit, Michigan. At the end of the day, the students went back to spend the evening with their homestay families and prepare to do it all again tomorrow.

Thanks to all of our local partners who made this day possible, including The Entrepreneurs Center, Ascend, and Basil's on Market!