serious business
Delaware Entrepreneurship Center at Ohio Wesleyan University celebrates success, announces future plans
delaware ohio – Since opening in fall 2018, the Delaware Entrepreneurship Center at Ohio Wesleyan University has seen 11 companies grow and graduate from the business incubator. He added 45 new full-time jobs to the local income tax base. More than $3.7 million in investments and grants have been awarded to Center members.
Located on the OWU campus, the Delaware Entrepreneurship Center connects Ohio Wesleyan student interns to help budding entrepreneurs with accounting, data analysis, event planning, graphic design, market research, volunteer coordination, website creation, and more. We support up-and-coming businesses. needs. While working, students gain real-world business experience that will help them realize their own entrepreneurial ambitions.
“The Delaware Entrepreneurship Center at Ohio Wesleyan University embodies the forward thinking and innovation that defines the university and the Delaware community,” said OWU President Matt Vandenberg.
“This center is a first-of-its-kind liberal arts business accelerator and a first-of-its-kind city-county-educational partnership,” Vandenberg said. “This city has endless potential, and we are grateful for the partnership between Delaware City and Delaware County that continues to create and strengthen it.”
He added, “In April, we will be able to share important first steps in expanding the Entrepreneurship Center's efforts beyond our local campus and community to the broader region.”
The entrepreneurship center was established with a five-year contract that included an annual investment of $50,000 from both the city and county. Vandenberg, Delaware City Manager Tom Homan, and Delaware County Commissioner Gary Merrell announced the new The cooperation was officially extended with the signing of a year-long contract.
The city and county will continue to support the center this year with an annual investment of $50,000 in administrative support and a one-time investment of $25,000. Both organizations also have representatives from the Center's advisory board and access to the Entrepreneurship Center's office space to assist businesses as they mature and seek to relocate to an independent location within the local community. can.
Homan said the Entrepreneurship Center fits into the city's efforts to help local businesses grow and thrive.
“Delaware City is fortunate to have a diverse and growing economic base,” Homan said. “Anything is possible here, and the Delaware Entrepreneurship Center is a great resource to help community members turn their ideas into action.”
Merrell agreed, adding: “Delaware County continues to grow as central Ohio attracts more and more technology and related companies. This is a transformative time for our county and region, and the Delaware Entrepreneurship Center “I’m happy to say that I’m ready to:” Seize the potential of this moment. ”
Also during the March 14 event, Vandenberg introduced the Entrepreneurship Center's new director, Philip Smith, who joined Ohio Wesleyan's staff in January. Smith's duties include developing and implementing the center's business development strategic plan. Form new partnerships with community leaders, entrepreneurial partners, and local high schools. In addition, he will oversee all of the Center's programs, including the creation of new resources available to those interested in developing their skills and entrepreneurship ideas.
“I’m excited to be a part of this dynamic community,” Smith said. “We look forward to working further with the city and county to help current and future entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses with the resources available through the Delaware Entrepreneurship Center.
“Future plans include hosting our popular 'Delaware Does' event in different communities and developing partnerships with local high schools to encourage young entrepreneurs. We also want to increase our collaboration with minority-owned businesses across Delaware County, creating more training and resources available to everyone as needed. Exciting times ahead. .”
To learn more about Ohio Wesleyan University's Delaware Entrepreneurial Center, its unique city-county-university collaboration and opportunities for budding entrepreneurs, visit owu.edu/delaware-entrepreneurial-center.
About Delaware County
Delaware County, Ohio is located in central Ohio and is home to more than 236,000 residents. It's a place where rich farmland meets suburban amenities and urban amenities, and where smart growth policies create safe and healthy communities for all residents, business owners, and employees. Visitor. For more information, visit co.delaware.oh.us.
About Delaware City
Delaware City has been named Ohio Magazine's Best Hometown, Money Magazine's Top 50 Best Places to Live in America, and boasts an award-winning downtown. For more information, please visit www.delawareohio.net.
About Ohio Wesleyan University
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, this private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III collegiate sports. Ohio Wesleyan has been featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and is listed on U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review's “Best Colleges” lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.
