PreMiEr Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
The ERC for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr) is an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) based at Duke University.In the summer of 2023, PreMiEr’s Innovation Ecosystem (IE), led by Dr. William Walker, actively engaged approximately 30 scholars and faculty members from all five of PreMiEr’s collaborating institutions in a one-day interactive “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp”—a workshop where participants acquired essential knowledge in the fundamentals of applied innovation and entrepreneurship.
While academic researchers possess deep expertise in their scientific fields, they frequently lack the practical know-how to transform their discoveries into concrete products or enterprises. This shortcoming can result from academia's traditional emphasis on teaching and research, which often neglects entrepreneurship and product development. One of the basic missions of an ERC is to bridge that gap between discovery and application. Accordingly, PreMiEr's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp offered participants the tools and knowledge needed to turn research into practical solutions, nurturing an innovative culture in academia. These types of activities ultimately empower researchers to navigate the entrepreneurial aspects of their work, thereby unlocking PreMiEr's potential for societal and economic contributions.
The one-day workshop provided attendees with an immersive experience into the authentic world of entrepreneurship, guiding them through the various innovation and entrepreneurship phases of a venture. The workshop imbued attendees with an understanding of the need to identify real-world problems and customer needs, the differences between “product” and “technology,” and the technical fundamentals of intellectual property. These and other topics were presented through the lens of Dr. Walker’s experiences as a faculty member, company founder, inventor, operating CEO, and operating CTO.
Interactive sessions promoted active engagement, encouraged networking, and facilitated hands-on application of knowledge, ultimately equipping participants with essential communication tools. The Bootcamp provided exposure to key concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship, imparting valuable insights from real entrepreneurs' experiences to navigate venture complexities. Through hands-on activities, attendees had an opportunity to sharpen their understanding of the key processes and fostered a sense of community through networking opportunities. Participants left with newfound entrepreneurial confidence, practical skills, a supportive network, and a clearer path to pursue innovative ideas and create impactful ventures.
