Burgess Institute launches new annual gathering, Venture Summit

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is thrilled to announce the start of a new annual fall tradition: Venture Summit. The institute will host its first annual gathering on September 23 and 24, 2022.

Venture Summit 2022 invites Spartan entrepreneurs, investors, makers, and shakers — alumni and students alike — to converge on campus to celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation, and, this year, the 10^th anniversary of the MSU Hatch.

2022 marks the MSU Hatch’s decade of service to Spartan venturers. The co-working and startup incubator space is at the heart of MSU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. “The Hatch,” as many Spartan entrepreneurs lovingly refer to it, provides a centralized co-working space just off campus, across Grand River Avenue from the Union. It’s where students interested in starting their own companies become part of the Burgess Institute’s Discovery and Launch programs. Once on board, students receive hands-on mentorship, apply for, and receive, financial resources, and discover a community of like-minded doers.

Paul Jaques, managing director of venture creation at the Burgess Institute, leads the team that established the MSU Hatch.

“Back in 2009, the Hatch was a glimmer of an idea. A group of dedicated entrepreneurial students, calling themselves the Gumball Club, were searching for a space where they could launch their business ideas,” Jaques reflects. “In 2012, with funding help from the MSU Foundation, we found a suitable space and launched the Hatch. The rest is history.”

Since then, Michigan State University has become a top-ranking, globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship education. The facts bear this out: since 2016 alone, over 1,000 students have engaged with the Burgess Institute’s entrepreneurship programming, starting more than 800 companies at the MSU Hatch. Those companies have gone on to raise more than $25.8 million in funding to fuel their startups’ growth.

“With Venture Summit 2022,” said Jaques, “we’re excited to celebrate a decade of entrepreneurship education with the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have made MSU a destination for aspiring founders. This annual conference will offer attendees access to thought leaders within the entrepreneurial space and networking opportunities, all while showcasing student startups and inventions. Together, we will celebrate the supportive alumni and friends who have helped us advance the program since its inception.”

Registration for Venture Summit 2022 is now open. The two-day gathering will kick off on Friday, September 23 at 9am with the Burgess Institute’s External Advisory Board. From there, attendees will get the chance to network, visit a student expo, and, in the evening, enjoy a strolling dinner at the Broad Art Museum. On Saturday, September 24, Venture Summit will close out with an Entrepreneurship Tailgate at the Spartan Stadium.

For FAQ and advance reservation details, please visit eship.msu.edu.