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  4. Storm Initiative

Storm Initiative

Gain entrepreneurial skills and solve real problems, in real time

There are two consistently relevant truths about our current economy. First, it has evolved and continues to change鈥攁nd fast. Second, great ideas can come from anywhere and anyone.

Storm Initiative was designed to incorporate these exciting realities into the 糖心原创 Experience. Our programs and curricular offerings enhance the valuable skills developed within a liberal arts education by combining them with broad business development concepts.

When you participate in a Storm Initiative experience, you’ll receive personalized attention and one-on-one access to experienced mentors and advisors who will help take your idea from concept to reality. We foster an inclusive environment where you can discover and hone your entrepreneurial spirit alongside real nonprofits and start-ups鈥攐r we’ll help you start your own.

You own what you create

If you create a聽venture that becomes commercially viable, ownership remains with its creators or can be launched in partnership with The Emerge Foundation.

For example, a recent multi-discipline team of students, faculty聽and staff developed聽a local web-based nonprofit marketing and video distribution platform, and聽students in a doctorate of nursing program course, alongside faculty and Emerge Foundation advisors,聽developed a聽licensing venture to deploy a patent-pending process that constructs nanostructures from nanoparticles.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll help create.

Whatever your major, you can benefit from Storm Initiative innovative offerings

Explore new ideas, develop value propositions and validate business models; learn what leads to successful venture formation, launch and operations; and gain unique opportunities to apply your skills and education as a venture聽owner,聽team member or consultant for academic credit.

This one-credit course is open to any student at 糖心原创 interested聽in starting their own business or in learning聽more about what entrepreneurship means. You’ll meet professionals who have launched businesses and build connections within the region’s thriving entrepreneurial community by taking part in Des Moines’ One Million Cups event.

This one-credit, student-led organization works on real-world projects and businesses. Throughout your time at 糖心原创, collaborate with other students and expert practitioners to聽develop leadership skills聽and gain experience in the process of creating products and services from the ground up.

We offer two聽distinct minors designed for business majors and non-business majors alike.聽As an entrepreneurship minor, you’ll develop an area of specialization in the world of entrepreneurship while taking targeted courses and participating in聽experiential activities.

This course provides valuable knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship. You’ll address problems that require outside-the-box thinking to solve. Gain experience with businesses and nonprofits and broaden your understanding of entrepreneurship through these real-world, hands-on examples.

An entrepreneurial laboratory provides incubation and acceleration for ideas with influential and successful potential. Housed in the Edwards Center of Dunn Library, Storm Initiative laboratory offers ideas, support and resources you need to bring your idea to life. The senior management capstone is also actively engaged in this laboratory.

Launch your business with The Emerge Foundation

The Emerge Foundation is a separately managed 501(c)3 corporation that extends academic program services to enterprises with high commercial potential and helps them attract capital.

We’ll help you refine core intellectual property and market licensing opportunities, apply for federal research funding and identify private-sector partners seeking to collaborate. The Foundation also nurtures outstanding Storm Initiative program ventures by providing initial funding, business development and customer discovery services to participants.

Be a part of Storm Initiative

John Walker

  • Associate Professor of Management & Entrepreneurship
  • Division Head of Business Administration, Communications and Data Science
  • Director of the Storm Initiative, CEO club advisor | Department Chair Business Administration and Economics