Venture creation is an act of pure engagement. Ask any entrepreneur. More than 100 student entrepreneurs gathered last week at Syracuse University for the launch of IDEA ( http://idea.syr.edu/) – the Raymond Von Dran Innovation & Disruptive Entrepreneurship Accelerator, which was recently named a U.S. Economic Development Administration University Center. A two-day summit, Emerging Talk, enabled student entrepreneurs to pitch venture ideas to judges drawn from the regional and national finance and investment community. Nonprofit ventures – embodying SU’s commitment to civic engagement – were featured this year, along with ventures across various disciplines – arts, technology, design, and more.

Winning ideas received IDEA cash awards, free space to incubate at The Student Sandbox at The Tech Garden (a Connective Corridor venue), and a mentor team comprised of community financial and legal experts, technologists, serial entrepreneurs and investors. The program, which is a partnership between Syracuse University and CenterState CEO, has been recognized as one of the best in the country as a model for engaging campuses and communities collectively in the enterprise of student venture development.

The IDEA program is named for Raymond Von Dran who served as dean of the iSchool at Syracuse University from 1995-2007, and a longtime academic entrepreneur who encouraged student innovation and entrepreneurship at SU. Shortly after his death, his widow, Gisela von Dran, established the fund in his honor, and she has since directed $1.7 million in commitments in the Raymond F. von Dran Fund to the IDEA student accelerator.

“I can’t think of a more appropriate initiative to endow in Ray’s memory,” said Gisela, director emerita of the M.S. in Library and Information Science program and an iSchool Board of Advisors member. “The students share the energy, creativeness and desire to change the status quo that Ray brought to all of his entrepreneurial endeavors. He would be proud to have his name attached to the Accelerator and I’m excited to work with the IDEA team to continue to support SU student innovators.”

Chancellor Cantor opened the two day student venture summit, noting that “One of the centerpieces of the recent New York State Regional Economic Development Council program was how to weave entrepreneurship as a path for economic prosperity in upstate communities, and also as a tool for retaining young, bright talent.”

She went on to tell attendees, “What is important is your commitment to take the risk now, take ideas and put them to work here in upstate – both social entrepreneurship and traditional entrepreneurship. There is one thing we all agree on when we talk about revitalizing cities like Syracuse: Entrepreneurship and innovation must take center stage.”

Have an idea? Want to start a venture? Get Engaged. SU is committed to helping start ventures in this region, both nonprofit and profit.  The Sandbox, located at The Tech Garden, is a business incubator that gives aspiring student entrepreneurs the space to grow, along with coaching, mentoring, programming and access to subject matter experts.  SU’s Enitiative program gives student entrepreneurs access to resources they need to navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem.  Raymond von Dran IDEA awards provide seed funding to launch student ventures.  It’s all there … connected, easy to access … and on the Corridor!

Learn more about the program at: http://idea.syr.edu/

Learn more about the Student Sandbox at: http://www.syracusestudentsandbox.com/