Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute at Arizona State University

The Venture Devils program offers students a unique opportunity to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors, providing the resources and mentorship needed to turn their ideas into impactful ventures. At Demo Day, participants had the chance to compete for seed funding, which is designed to give students the financial support they need to grow their ventures without giving up ownership. This funding is a key part of the Venture Devils experience, but it is far from the only way the program helps foster entrepreneurial talent. The program is open to students throughout the year, allowing teams to join at any time. In addition to funding, Venture Devils participants have access to workshops, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities that help them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. This robust support system is a testament to ASU’s commitment to empowering students and preparing them for success in the competitive startup world. In total, Venture Devils participants received more than $125,000 in awards on Demo Day. These funds were part of a larger initiative that also included a global venture, engaging with the GIST Innovates the Balkans program, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Science and Technology Cooperation. This collaboration underscores the global impact and reach of the ASU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, offering a platform for innovation that extends beyond local borders. In total, over 50 teams pitched their ventures for funding at Demo Day. While not every team received financial support, all participants gained invaluable feedback from a panel of judges, along with insights into the entrepreneurial resources most relevant to their next steps. This experience helped them identify tools and networks that will play a crucial role in the continued growth of their ventures. The daylong event also offered ample networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with mentors, investors, and peers. During this time, several founders shared their insights and advice, offering wisdom that could be especially valuable for those considering joining the program or pitching for the first time.

Adults and guardians play a significant role in encouraging this entrepreneurial spirit. By supporting youth entrepreneurship, whether through education, resources or opportunities, adults provide validation and guidance. Showing support can spark a young person’s enthusiasm and give them the encouragement they need to explore, take risks and pursue ideas they might not otherwise feel empowered to chase. To inspire the budding entrepreneur in your life, here is a list of 15 holiday gift ideas that will ignite their creativity, encourage skill-building and bring some fun into the journey: A Young Entrepreneur Kit is an ideal choice for budding business minds because it usually comes with guides, worksheets and materials for kids to develop their first business concept. Consider gifting a Maker Space or STEM Workshop Membership or Trip. A Graphic Design Software Subscription such as Canva or Adobe Express allows young entrepreneurs to design marketing materials or social media graphics—a crucial entrepreneurial skill. For those ready to explore financial basics, a Kid-Friendly Financial Literacy Book like Kidpreneurs or A Smart Girl’s Guide to Money is a fantastic gift. Business simulation board games, like Up Start or Moonpreneur, are perfect for introducing young people to the basics of running a business in a playful, low-pressure setting. An E-Commerce Platform Subscription can allow young entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level. Online Business Classes are a great gift for young entrepreneurs eager to learn the basics of starting and managing a business. A Monthly Entrepreneurship Activity Box such as Bitsbox or KiwiCo’s Tinker Crate provides a continuous stream of projects that blend creativity and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship or STEM Camp Enrollment is a kid favorite! A high-quality, Personalized Planner or Journal can help entrepreneurial kids set goals, track progress, and keep their thoughts organized. A Label Maker is a simple, powerful gift that allows young entrepreneurs to add a professional touch to their products or organize their workspace. A Young Investor Toolkit or Subscription such as BusyKid or Stockpile introduces young people to the basics of stocks and savings in a simplified, guided environment. Basic Video Equipment, like a ring light, or even a motion sensor accessory, is perfect for young entrepreneurs interested in promoting their ideas through social media. Lastly, parents can design and order Custom Business Cards or Personalized Stationery sets from websites like Vistaprint or Minted.

We're still dreaming about Fall Demo Day 2024! Couldn't make it this year? No worries. Venture Devils Demo Day is the bi-annual pitch competition, taking place during each ASU fall AND spring semester! Any and all friends, family, and community supporters are invited to attend and watch all of the open boardroom pitches. Following the completion of the live pitches, all founders, Venture Mentors, and community supporters are also invited to attend the Funding + Awards Ceremony to network, cheer, and celebrate Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation at ASU. All ventures in the Venture Devils program (currently enrolled Arizona State University or Maricopa Community Colleges students) are eligible to compete in our competitions as long as they have not met or exceeded our $50k threshold in funding. Community supporters are invited to attend both the pitch portion of the event and the Demo Day Award Ceremony, where funding decisions are made and winners are announced. #asu #entrepreneurship #asuentrepreneurship

Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, reminds us of the universal rights and freedoms to which every person is entitled. It marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in the wake of World War II in 1949. The declaration serves as a global standard for the people of all nations. It is also the foundation of the current United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the human rights listed in the declaration include life, liberty, self-expression, education, freedom from slavery and torture, as well as access to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. The theme for Human Rights Day this year is “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” which is a stirring call for practical action by everyone. Entrepreneurs have an opportunity to contribute by assessing how their own businesses or nonprofits protect human rights and then taking concrete action to integrate improvements, track adoption and communicate concerns and impact. Entrepreneurs can do this at different levels, starting with their venture as well as throughout their supply chain. Read more here: https://ow.ly/XL4450UozBb #Entrepreneurship #ASU #HumanRightsDay #BusinessPractices

📆 What’s Happening at the Edson E+I Institute in December? Get ready for a fun filled month of entrepreneurship and more! 🚀 ———— →E+I @ 850PBC Coffee and Co-Working 🗓️December 6, 2024 9:30 am - December 6, 2024 10:30 am 📍850 N 5th St, Suite 130 L1 PHX, AZ 85004 ———— →Startup School Venture Challenge: Session 8 Pitch Competition + Graduation 🗓️December 11, 2024 5:00 pm - December 11, 2024 7:00 pm 📍Location: E+I space @ 850PBC – 850 N. 5th St. Phoenix, AZ 85004 ———— →SEE ME Business Growth Series 🗓️December 14, 2024 10:00 am - December 14, 2024 12:00 pm 📍The Studios @ Mesa City Center ———— →Pitch In Holiday Party 🗓️December 18, 2024 9:00 am - December 18, 2024 11:00 am 📍E+I @ 850PBC 850 North fifth street, Phoenix AZ, 85004 ———— →Chandler Endeavor Venture Challenge 🗓️December 18, 2024 5:00 pm - December 18, 2024 7:00 pm 📍ASU Chandler Innovation Center 249 E. Chicago St Chandler, AZ 85225

Arizona State University’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute was recognized for Outstanding Student Engagement & Leadership as an award winner at the 2024 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers. This recognition highlights our commitment to amplifying student impact through diverse, inclusive programs, empowering students to lead, and fostering innovation across all backgrounds. From K-12 education initiatives to the ASU Blackstone LaunchPad and Venture Devils, we provide multiple pathways for students to develop entrepreneurial skills, lead impactful projects, and bring their ideas to life. We're proud to create opportunities that amplify student voices and drive real-world change. #entrepreneurship #asu #innovation

When we #invest in local education, we ignite #innovation and #entrepreneurship while fueling our local economy. One way to measure this impact is through the concept of the Local Multiplier, which highlights the power of spending at locally owned and independent businesses. Your dollars recirculate through the community two to four times more than if spent at large retailers or popular online marketplaces. As this money flows through our neighborhoods, it generates local wealth, charitable contributions, and job opportunities, creating a vibrant ecosystem of growth and creativity. While the exact amount of recirculated dollars varies, studies by Civic Economics show that supporting local businesses is essential for nurturing a thriving environment where young innovators can flourish. Youth Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement Team continues to explore meaningful ways to give back. Our past and upcoming initiatives to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Invention Convention Worldwide, a program of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, is a transformative K-12 program that empowers students to identify problems and develop creative solutions while building their confidence in innovation and entrepreneurship. Over 178,000 students nationwide learn to turn their original inventions into practical, real-world applications. Operating at local, regional and national levels across the U.S. and expanding globally, this program nurtures a new generation of young inventors. Arizona State University is thrilled to partner with Invention Convention Worldwide. This non-profit 501(c)3 organization has a mission to reduce the innovation opportunity gap through convergence education, invention education and entrepreneurial learning. Participants gain the confidence and skills to control their own destinies and help shape a better future for Arizona. Young Arizonans will be inspired to turn their ideas into reality. The J.Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute’s Youth Entrepreneurship Team is excited to host our first state K-12 Invention Convention on Saturday, April 12, 2025. As we prepare for this exciting event, we are actively seeking sponsors, volunteers, and mentors to join us in supporting the next generation of innovators. Check out a video recap of last year’s national convention here. Check out ASU Student Made, a vibrant marketplace crafted by and for Arizona State University (ASU) students that champions entrepreneurship and innovation within the ASU community. This platform serves as a dynamic resource, empowering students to showcase their unique businesses and creations, all while encouraging local support and creativity. Embrace the spirit of giving by exploring the talent and ingenuity of #ASU students—your purchases help foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem right here at home!

Lets meet Tracey Dodenhoff 🚀 Tracey Dodenhoff is Arizona State's Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where she is responsible for accelerating the growth of entrepreneurship throughout the ASU community, the local Phoenix area and the broader state of Arizona. Residing within the University's Knowledge Enterprise, Dodenhoff's role is part of a collaborative university-wide effort to grow dynamic, inclusive entrepreneurship across sectors, educational backgrounds and career stages. With a personal mission to “Help Good People do Great Things with Innovation”, Tracey is a mission-focused entrepreneur dedicated to high impact solutions. Tracey’s deep experience encompasses technology entrepreneurship, innovation leadership and venture investing. Over her career, Tracey has launched and invested in over two dozen startups, as well as partnering with ventures to accelerate the growth of new product initiatives across material innovation, med tech, consumer, software/mobile and industrial verticals. Tracey specializes in integrating innovative business models with technology, and accelerating scale through collaborations across geographies and disciplines. Most recently, she served as CEO of digital therapeutics company Medly Therapeutics Inc., as well as a commercialization advisor for robotics-as-a-service company Avendly, an entrepreneur-in-residence for Northeastern University, and an embedded entrepreneur for several DARPA funded ventures. She holds an MBA from Babson College, and MID from Pratt Institute and a BS from Rhode Island College. She is also the holder of several patents in medical device and software. #asu #edsonentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship

The Fall 2024 Venture Devils Demo Day was held on Saturday, November 16th. The bi-annual pitch competition, offered students to compete for over $200K in funding and support. Luckily, we got the chance to hear from some of our hard working founders. Swipe to see their thoughts, advice and recommendations for students looking to pitch at Demo Day! #asu #asuentrepreneurship #venturedevils #edsonentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship

This holiday season, consider stepping away from big box retailers and exploring ways to support local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Here are some thoughtful ideas to ensure your gift-giving has a meaningful impact beyond just the presents. By choosing to shop from student-run businesses, you can help them gain valuable experience and contribute to their education—all while finding great gifts! Student-Made at ASU®, powered by J. Orin Edson E+I Institute, offers a custom-designed, professional online storefront for ASU student businesses, as well as in-person pop-up shops, business support and real-world management experience to the team of student workers who run the site. The site features a variety of hand-made creations from ASU students, including jewelry, apparel, and crocheted animals. Supporting local shops during the holidays is a meaningful way to give back to the #community while finding unique, thoughtful gifts. Local businesses offer one-of-a-kind products that reflect the creativity and culture of the area, providing a more personal shopping experience. By choosing to shop small, you help sustain local economies, support artisans and entrepreneurs, and foster a stronger sense of community. This holiday season, consider the impact of your purchases and the value of supporting neighborhood businesses that make our towns vibrant and special. Check out some valley shops involved in Edson E+I programs and support them this holiday season! #ASU #HolidayShopping