Exploring Place-Based Pedagogy as Entrepreneurship Accelerator

Abstract

This paper proposes a framework to create a small business and entrepreneurship accelerator designed based on prior work in evolving traditional place-based pedagogy to a more critical pedagogy of place. The proposal is crafted to utilize the built-in resources of a university as the core components in providing necessary resources for success including expert-level technical assistance and a safe, empowering third space for collaboration. The included case is focused on a suburban/urban campus located near several historically underserved geographies. This is important as the proposed small business and entrepreneurship accelerator will have a special focus on educating and guiding local populations – including high school students – in growing their businesses. The proposal in this paper brings together university resources, local community elements, small business owners, social entrepreneurs, and high school students by activating a critical pedagogy of place rooted in improving economic and social issues.