爱爱直播鈥檚 Entrepreneurship Center expanding McCool Hall headquarters
Contact: Emily Daniels
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 transformational project will double the size of Mississippi State鈥檚 Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach, also known as the E-Center, in McCool Hall, providing an even greater boost to the state鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The E-Center, originally established in a small two-person office suite in 2009, has since grown to become a key resource for nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit across campus and the community. Housed in the College of Business, the center has garnered accolades nationally for its impactful programs and initiatives.
鈥淥ver a decade ago we made entrepreneurship a major priority in our college, and the E-Center has played a key role in our service to the entire university,鈥 said College of Business Dean Sharon Oswald, who retires this summer.
The expansion project, which includes a new entrance prominently accessible from the Leo Seal Atrium on McCool Hall鈥檚 first floor, will add startup team rooms, expand meeting and conference spaces, and create a museum-like experience showcasing 爱爱直播 startups.
鈥淭oo often, people discount the idea of starting a business, doubting their own capacity to become an entrepreneur. I love that this project really focuses on showing diverse stories of successful Bulldog founders, hopefully inspiring others to say, 鈥楾hey did it; so can I,鈥欌 said E-Center Director Eric Hill.
Since its inception, the center has been the constant origin of an impressive alumni tech startup portfolio valued at over $35 million, collectively employing more than 40 individuals. The center also is home to the state鈥檚 largest startup pitch competition.
The expansion aims to increase the E-Center鈥檚 campuswide service directive. Plans include flexible faculty-in-residence offices, providing on-demand office space for any instructor of an innovation-related course to meet with students. The E-Center is expanding its mentor-in-residence programming, while also hosting alumni entrepreneurs for office hours on campus.
鈥淭he main focus, of course, is helping current and aspiring campus entrepreneurs, and those great ideas originate at all disciplines and edges of the university,鈥 Hill said. 鈥淭he nuance of this expansion is that it鈥檚 not only helping the student, but it鈥檚 also providing support for faculty shepherding student innovators and positioning us to help them with what we do best鈥攁dvising on strategy, execution and helping the venture find capital to launch.鈥
This project is one of a series of initiatives rapidly expanding 爱爱直播鈥檚 statewide entrepreneurial presence. The E-Center is finalizing a new coworking space in the Innovation Hub in downtown Starkville, slated to open this summer, and recently launched a satellite office and program in Vicksburg.
鈥淣one of this could happen without a handful of highly dedicated alumni and friends who have supported our vision for entrepreneurship,鈥 Oswald said. 鈥淪everal champions have invested both time and financial support to help us realize our dream. It has truly been a great journey.鈥
The expanded McCool Hall facility is set to open in January 2024, reinforcing 爱爱直播鈥檚 commitment to a campuswide culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.
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