The goal of the TEC Program is to train science and engineering graduate students for careers in entrepreneurial settings or for intrapreneurial positions in existing corporate settings. A key design element of the TEC Program is the inclusion of both MBA students and technology students in a project-oriented setting, which will ensure interactions from different perspectives and provide valuable experience in communication at the interface of business and technology. A secondary objective is to create awareness of career opportunities in the venture financing world, in intellectual property assessment, technology consulting, etc. The TEC Program will provide a core curriculum for all students, while maintaining flexibility by offering two key pathways in entrepreneurship or corporate ventures, depending on the individual student's orientation toward entrepreneurial careers or more traditional industry. The students will then select between a Corporate Pathway and an Entrepreneurship Pathway, depending on their particular interests.
Students can choose the fourth course from several options.
In addition, students in both pathways will have independent study options for specialized projects that meet individual needs. Students can also compete in the Business Plan Competition. The 16 teams with the most investment dollars go on to the long presentation round. PEI awards a substantial cash prize to the plan with the greatest potential. The speaker series, held every other Thursday night during the academic year, brings the Northwest's most innovative business leaders to campus to discuss the ideas and the opportunities of the future.