February 28. 2003

BOISE STATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AWARDED $45,000 GRANT

Boise State University has received a $45,000 grant from the Kauffman Foundation aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship education on campus. More than 300 colleges applied for the grants, which ranged from $12,000 to $50,00; 52 proposals were selected. Each institution must match the grant.

Boise State will use the grant money to develop courses in conjunction with its virtual business incubator. By partnering with the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and Inland Northwest Research Alliance, Boise State can also help other regional schools develop educational programs to support private business through business plan development and commercialization of science and technology products.

Bill Lathen, dean of the College of Business and Economics at Boise State, said the grant is a boon for the program."Boise State offers the only entrepreneurship degree in the state and the Kauffman Foundation’s several grants to us have significantly increased our regional and national recognition," he said.

The goal of the Kauffman Foundation is to increase and strengthen entrepreneurship in the United States. "We believe college campuses are an ideal place to reach future entrepreneurs, those leaders who through their ideas and innovations will continue to fuel our economy," said Carl Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation.

Proposals were rated on a variety of factors, including the number of students reached, the variety of disciplines involved and the focus on experiential learning.