We are pleased to announce the 12th Annual Deshpande Symposium Award winners! Every year, institutions and individuals are selected for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of entrepreneurship and innovation within their campuses and communities. The Deshpande Symposium Awards—now in their ninth year—have marked a notable tradition in the history of the conference, and they continue to inspire and attract nominations from across the U.S. and beyond.
Congratulations to the following awardees:
- Burroughs Enterprise, Startup, and Technology (B.E.S.T.) Innovation Lab, Benedict College—Rising Star Award
- University at Buffalo—Award for Excellence in Student Engagement in Entrepreneurship
- Social Entrepreneurship Initiative, Horn Entrepreneurship, University of Delaware—Award for Excellence in Curriculum Innovation in Entrepreneurship
- Brad Burke, managing director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Rice University, and board chair, Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers—Award for Outstanding Contributions to Advancing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
- Simon Fraser University—Entrepreneurial University Award
“These awards are a highlight of the Deshpande Symposium year after year,” said Phil Weilerstein, president and CEO of VentureWell. “We are pleased to celebrate and honor those whose dedication, vision, and results inspire us and move the field of innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education forward.”
About the Deshpande Symposium
Co-founded by the Deshpande Foundation and the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 2012, the Deshpande Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education brings together academics, policy planners, and practitioners to discuss best practices in integrating entrepreneurship throughout their college and university communities. This year, VentureWell took over the operational management of the symposium. Read more about the symposium and the awards here.