Universities Fostering Business Development

Abstract

Universities play a fundamental role in promoting entrepreneurship and directly contributing to the economic development of the country. This chapter presents the case of EAN University, an institution that from its foundation has focused on entrepreneurship as its mission. Over time the university has taken concrete actions to develop its three mission areas: training, research and social outreach. At EAN University, the entrepreneur training model is mandatory for all programs, making it part of the student's core education. In addition, the university promotes and creates a culture of entrepreneurship in its community through permanent business incubation and acceleration services, which are available to all students and graduates. EAN's accompaniment model begins with a diagnostic which determines the stage the company is in: preincubation, incubation or acceleration. The university's effort is focus on directing and accompanying companies in the preincubation and incubation stages.