October 30, 2003

Idaho Entrepreneurs Get Boost From Business Student Projects

Entrepreneurs commercializing technologies in Idaho can get a boost in their business planning from a new program co-sponsored by a public/private partnership of academic, foundation and business resources led by Bechtel/BWXT Idaho. The program adds to the assistance and guidance on business planning, technology commercialization and enterprise development currently delivered through the TechConnect centers in Boise, Pocatello and Post Falls. The new services are provided through a project called TEAMS, which stands for TechConnect Entrepreneurship Assistance Methods using Students. The goal of the TEAMS program is to organize business students at the graduate and undergraduate levels to provide hands-on assistance to entrepreneurs. At the same time, the project provides significant learning opportunities for Idaho’s next generation of business leaders. This also opens the door to multiple avenues of collaboration among schools in the region. TEAMS is led by Norris Krueger, who guides the statewide effort in collaboration with the TechConnect Centers. Krueger comes to the project from a faculty position at Boise State University’s department of management, where he focuses on innovative teaching, research and outreach in the entrepreneurial studies program. Krueger is well-known for teaching entrepreneurial skills through hands-on projects. In the past few years, he and his students have completed a series of projects consulting with technology-based start-ups, doing broadband telecommunications assessments for rural communities and supporting economic development organizations. “I’m excited about this opportunity,” Krueger said. “It combines innovation in the classroom with technology innovation in new businesses. It gives students unmatched learning experiences and gives equally great value to entrepreneurs.” Some examples of TEAMS projects include: assisting TechConnect centers conduct business plan feasibility assessments for technology-based entrepreneurs; preparing market analyses of technology commercialization strategies; conducting valuation studies of proposed technologies; and finding good business models and evaluating the prospects for securing capital. John Glerum, Boise’s TechConnect director, said the TEAMS effort is an important step in implementing one of the six elements of the State of Idaho Science & Technology Strategic Plan. “Building an entrepreneurial culture in Idaho is a key success factor for technology-based economic development, and that is a significant part of Idaho’s future,” Glerum said. In addition to providing assistance to entrepreneurs in Idaho, the project organizes business student projects to provide assistance to technology-based entrepreneurial efforts in Washington and Montana, through funding from the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA). Steve Billingsley, INRA chief of staff, said his organization supports the effort because “the two keys to economic development are a commitment to helping new business, and partnerships among supporters of enterprise development which includes universities in the region.” The public/private partnership supporting TEAMS includes Boise State University, the Idaho Small Business Development Center, the Inland Northwest Research Alliance, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the TechConnect centers in Boise, Pocatello and Post Falls; and Bechtel BWXT Idaho. For more information, call Krueger at 426-3573 or visit mg.boisestate.edu/faculty/Krueger.htm. -30- Contact Norris Krueger TEAMS project 208 426-3573 nkrueger@boisestate.edu Media Contact Sherry Squires communications and marketing 208 426-1563 ssquires@boisestate.edu