Uber is investing in the future of technology, advancing University of Maryland student-driven innovations and technology with an investment of resources and money. This new collaboration with UMd marks the first time Uber has developed a more interactive and involved relationship with a local university that's not specifically geared towards just getting more people to sign up.
The partnership, Uber says, will provide "significant investment," including $25,000 in the Startup Shell, a student-run startup incubator and co-working space on campus that fosters entrepreneurship through collaboration. Uber also announced that it will award investor grants to student-created businesses over the duration of the next two years.
“Partnering with Uber furthers our mission to position the University of Maryland as a leading public research institution, equipping students with top-notch entrepreneurial skills and opportunities," said Ken Ulman, UMd strategist for economic development, in a statement. "We are thrilled that Uber recognizes the opportunity to solve challenges in College Park and to engage our highly motivated students in the process of moving our innovation economy forward.”
Uber plans to lend its expertise to aspiring innovators on UMd's campus as well by offering mentorship opportunities throughout the year. By working first-hand with the raw talent cultivated at UMd, Uber is sure to have first dibs on the up-and-coming entrepreneurs who are a force to be reckoned with.
As expected, there is a transportation aspect to this relationship. An innovation council will be formed to crowdsource ideas from students, faculty and staff alike to determine research and development opportunities in addition to transportation solutions.
“The spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship being fostered at the University of Maryland, especially student-led and driven, is truly something special," Uber DC General Manager Zuhairah Washington said in reference to the partnership announcement. "The University of Maryland’s mantra of pursuing fearless ideas is a great complement to Uber’s fearless approach to problem solving in the 21st century.”
Whether this unique collaboration has anything to do with Uber wanting Maryland to regulate all of its services much like the way that D.C. and Virginia recently started to do is unknown. But Uber did offer free rides in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties in February to encourage people to reach out to local regulators and lawmakers to lobby for their cause.
