ASU launching yearlong innovation, venture development masters program

PHOENIX — Arizona State University is launching a first-of-its-kind masters program in the fall centered around innovation and venture development.

The yearlong program is a partnership between the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, W.P. Carey School of Business and Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Students will be required to launch a new product or service that solves a problem as a graduation requirement.

“The ideas these teams work to solve can cover the full spectrum of challenges, from for-profit to non-profit, social ventures to digital innovation, local problems to international,” Chery Heller, the program’s director, said in a press release. “Students literally become entrepreneurs the first day they walk into the MSIVD program.”

Students and their ventures will be guided and mentored by experienced entrepreneurs, business executives and program advisors throughout the year.

The ventures will be reviewed by investors and venture capitalists after graduation for funding consideration.

Program leaders are asking business leaders to submit problems for consideration as possible venture opportunities for students.

Anyone with an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution can apply for the program, which is the first of its kind in the United States.

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