Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.
— Niccolo Machiavelli

Entrepreneur refers to a person who undertakes and operates a new venture, and assumes some accountability for the inherent risks. As Purdue University has taken on a greater role in forwarding the economic development of the state, it has designed several programs to mitigate entrepreneurial risks for new high-tech enterprises, including:

Incubation Services – a Purdue Research Foundation-managed suite of state-of-the-art business incubators in West Lafayette’s Purdue Research Park as well as our satellite incubators at Merrillville’s Ameriplex at the Crossroads business and technology park, and Indianapolis’ INTECH Park that provide technology-based firms with services and amenities.

Office of Technology Commercialization – a division of Purdue research Foundation that helps to protect, market and license Purdue’s commercially viable technologies. To date, more than 40 Purdue faculty-entrepreneurs have engaged in the process of starting companies based on their work. OTC has helped to license other inventions to appropriate industry partners.

Purdue Gateways Program – a business development program from the Purdue Research Foundation that assists companies within the Purdue Research Park and its satellite incubators, and companies interested in forming close ties to the university (includes companies not based on Purdue University-licensed technologies).

Businessmaker Process™ – a program from the Purdue Research Foundation’s Office of Business Development that matches emerging Purdue University-licensed technologies with investors, management teams and business plans to ensure success. Through this program, potential entrepreneurs and investors learn more about available Purdue technologies during Technology Roadshows presented around the state.

Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship – a center within Purdue University’s interdisciplinary research complex Discovery Park, which provides faculty and students with opportunities for entrepreneurship training and activities.