Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) Career Pathways is sponsoring the 2nd annual Student Entrepreneurship Conference hosted by Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) where high school and college entrepreneurs will convene to make quality connections with seasoned entrepreneurs and network with one another.
High school students from across southwest and west central Minnesota participating in their local CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) class and college entrepreneurs from the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be convening at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall, MN on Friday, March 24, 2023 to network with one another, pitch business ideas, get feedback from and make quality connections with seasoned entrepreneurs, and tour local businesses.
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, 94% of all Minnesota businesses employ less than 50 employees. Small business start-ups are critical to the economic vitality of southwest Minnesota. SMSU, local high schools and regional businesses are working together to create an entrepreneurial culture in southwest Minnesota. Students are being mentored by local business owners and working toward launching their own businesses. This event will provide students with the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and receive feedback from other students and veteran entrepreneurs.
Several groups are partnering to plan and host this event: ●SMSU Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Promotes developing the entrepreneurial mindset through experiential learning and community outreach with a goal to enhance the economic viability of the 18-county area of the MN Southwest Region. www.smsu. edu ●Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce - The largest professional business membership organization in Lyon County that supports the interests of 580+ members and advocates for a strong community.
●Midland CEO Chapters (Southwest (https://www.southwestminnesotaceo. com/), West
Central (https://www.westcentralmnceo. com/), and Lyon/
Murray County (https://www.lyonandmurraycountyceo. com/) A year-long high school course designed to utilize business partnerships to teach business development and entrepreneurial processes.
●Launch Your Future Today (LYFT) Pathways - A 18 county career and technical education initiative to help high school students find meaningful careers that match our regional economic needs. www.lyftpathways. org ●Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - A regional education service agency that provides a wide variety of services to 50+ public and private high schools in an 18-county service area. www.swwc.org ●Minnesota West Carl Perkins Consortium - A partnership of 38 high schools and 5 college campuses, working with our partners, to help improve the quality of career and technical education in the region. www. mnwest.edu & https://www. swsc.org/Page/279
