Education and Entrepreneurs: From University to "Shark Tank"

Abstract

According to the US government, entrepreneurs drive America's economy and account for the majority of the nation's new job creation and innovation in every industry. Inspiration for new business ideas are found in a personal pain point, listening to complaints from friends and family, observing what's going on around you, having preexisting expertise in an industry, technology, or process, or seeing a gap in the latest "hot" businesses or industries. Many ideas are only able to become opportunities through the strategic use of technology. An excellent example is Packback, an e-learning company that is disrupting the textbook business model and helping facilitate rich student discussion. The company was founded by four university students in their junior year to address a common complaint among their peers and professors and began their business by winning their university's new business competition. This keynote will highlight one of Packback's founder's experience, from co-working at 1871, Chicago's hub for start-ups, through a unique opportunity on Shark Tank and and discuss how education has brought value to the success of Packback.