DENNIS L. HEYDE ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAM

The Dennis L. Heyde Entrepreneur Program offers a unique learning experience for students who aspire to either start their own business or secure employment in a growth-oriented business. The program helps students to identify viable career options in entrepreneur / intrepreneur environments, to expand conceptual and creative approaches to the entrepreneurial process, and to develop a repertoire of venture management skills.

Multifaceted Program

Because Entrepreneurs are action-oriented people, the Dennis L. Heyde Entrepreneur program uses a hands-on approach to learning in addition to the lecture-from-the-book format used in most business programs. Students participate in a mentorship experience and a summer internship allowing them to interact with and learn from business community members. They also learn about entrepreneurship through case studies, field trips, and presentations by faculty, economic development specialists, angel investors and practicing entrepreneurs.

The program combines formal education with practical applications to develop skills in leadership, needs assessment, opportunity identification, resource development, strategic thinking, and risk taking. Through in-class activities students develop skills in team building, negotiating, goal setting, and oral and written communications.

Program Outcomes

The ultimate goal of the program is to give the student an in-depth broad based and practical education on the foundations of entrepreneurship. The culminating project of the program is the student written business plans. Each student develops his/her business idea into a comprehensive business plan culminating with a presentation to a panel of angel investors, economic development specialists, and entrepreneurs.

Any student who indicates a desire to start a business after graduation will be provided access to the available resources of the University and the Eau Claire economic development community.