But Song and Dean Yash Gupta envision something much bigger and broader, a tightly woven network of partnerships with alumni, the business community, other UW programs, entrepreneurship programs across the country, even local high schools. In addition to the booming Business Plan Competition, PEI Consulting Network and High-Tech Speaker Series, Song plans to expand the outward scope of PEI to areas such as an entrepreneurship roundtable, Executive Programs in entrepreneurship, and national entrepreneurship conferences for researchers, program directors and MBAs. The ultimate goal is to shift from a regional program to a national center that is a nucleus of research, a magnet for seekers of knowledge, and a hub for all things entrepreneurial. But even in his excitement, Song knows the building of such a center requires the strategy of a marathoner rather than a sprinter. And it won't come cheap.
Seed money is important, sometimes critical.
But I am determined to leverage whatever resources we have and forge ahead. It could mean change that is more incremental than radical. But we will take PEI to the next level.