Highland Heights-based Northern Kentucky University's Center for Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been named one of the world's best centers "at launching and supporting student-led startup companies," the school announced in a statement.
It received the distinction (specifically titled, “Outstanding Contribution to Venture Creation”) in Chicago at the annual conference of the 2018 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers along with four other finalists. Said finalists were Babson College, The University of Notre Dame, the University of Stockholm, Sweden and Michigan State.
The five finalists were chosen from 100 submissions by peer institutions.
“The CIE is built on a strong foundation and has recently been one of the top performing entrepreneurship centers not just nationally, but globally as well," said Zac Strobl, interim co-director of the CIE. "This recognition is largely due to the success of the students and alumni who have graduated from our programs."
The acknowledgement of CIE and the four other finalists is indicative about the growing trend across the globe of emphasizing entrepreneurship at colleges, said Brad Burke, GCEC executive director.
“Entrepreneurship has become a central and vibrant educational component at most top universities around the world," he continued. "Universities play a critical role in global innovation and economic development ... More and more institutes of higher education are recognizing that teaching entrepreneurial skills are key to the success of our students and the world’s future economy."
