Entrepreneurship
From early-stage startups to fully-fledged technologies, the Entrepreneurship practice area at the Wond’ry offers resources for all faculty, students, staff and alums from Nashville-area colleges and universities, who are interested in learning how to grow a venture from the ground up. The Wond’ry offers three programs to help on the entrepreneurial journey: Ideator, Builder, and Founder. Completing a Wond’ry Entrepreneurship course with a STEM-related idea gives the potential for access to the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. Additionally, our Wond’ry Mentor program connects entrepreneurs to industry experts in a variety of fields
Noticed a problem or challenge you think you could solve? Have an idea for a new product, service, technology, research tool, or process that’s been keeping you up at night?
Think you have an idea that has the potential to lead to a new business, nonprofit, or licensing deal? Or you’re unsure how your idea or research could deliver value in the market, but want to take steps to find out.
Don’t know where to start?
The Wond’ry’s Sullivan Family Ideator Program is for you!
Have you already completed the Wond’ry’s Ideator Program?
Have you found problem-solution fit for your idea (there is an identified value proposition for a defined customer segment supported by evidence from customer discovery)?
Are you ready to learn what it takes to launch a new venture or pursue licensing?
Builder is for you!
Have you already completed the Wond’ry’s Ideator & Builder Programs?
Have you found product-market fit for your idea and started a new venture?
The Wond’ry team is here to help as you navigate next steps with our Founder program.
Have a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related idea?
Have a piece of technology you’ve developed in the lab that you think might have commercial application?
Looking for funding or mentorship?
I-Corps is for you.
Funding Opportunities
Many Wond’ry Entrepreneurship programs include opportunities to compete for microgrant funding to help innovators with customer discovery and product development for their idea.
Learn more about previous Microgrant recipients here.
If you have questions about how to get involved with Entrepreneurship at the Wond’ry, email thewondry@vanderbilt.edu
The Fifteen for Founders Program
SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO EMPOWER A DIVERSE GROUP OF FOUNDERS TO BUILD COMPANIES WITH A LASTING SOCIETAL IMPACT.
To help us keep bringing people’s ideas to reality, we could use your help. By donating to our Student Innovation Fund, you are providing direct resources and funding opportunities to these innovators. But innovation doesn’t just require financial support; it also requires a robust system of support and encouragement. To that end, you can also volunteer your time and experience, to speak with innovators; just fifteen minutes can provide a wealth of insight to a project.
Click here to learn more about this program, and how you can make a difference.
The VUIT Genius Bar
The Wond’ry is now home to the Vanderbilt University IT Genius Bar (VUIT). This collaboration was developed to assist the Wond’ry’s student innovators, Ideator and Builder entrepreneurs and Makers developing innovations with a technology component. The Genius Bar will be staffed on Tuesday and Thursday from 11-5pm by a VUIT Relationship Manager, and is located on the 2nd Floor.
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you have any questions for VUIT, you can also contact
Michael.hollifield@vanderbilt.edu or call 615-936-8530.