![\"Portrait](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/IMG_2584-Tom-Duening.jpg\" "\\"IMG_2584")
<\/a>\u201cWe are motivated by the belief that entrepreneurship is the next-generation social force,\u201d Venkat Reddy, dean, College of Business, said. \u201cThe more entrepreneurs we create, the stronger the force becomes.\u201d<\/p>\nStartup companies in the United States are creating an average of three million jobs annually, according to Duening. In contrast, large companies are decreasing their U.S. workforces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want to dig out of this lingering jobs recession, we have to train, encourage, and assist startup ventures in our community and country,\u201d Duening said.<\/p>\n
The new minor can be paired with any UCCS major and includes core business courses as well as courses specific to the development of entrepreneurs. The program will begin in fall 2011.<\/p>\n
Duening will teach an initial course \u201c New Venture Creation\u201d to introduce students to opportunity identification, evaluation, and feasibility. Students who continue in the program will learn issues surrounding venture creation including funds needed for launch, growth, and exit. Students will prepare business plans and will present their plans to groups of seasoned investors.<\/p>\n
The new minor in entrepreneurship is unique in Colorado Springs and is part of a larger effort undertaken by the Center for Entrepreneurship to build southern Colorado.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe region is a perfect laboratory for experiments in new venture creation,\u201d Duening said. \u201cIt has tremendous untapped potential and is certainly a must-go destination for entrepreneurs outside the region as well. I\u2019m really excited to begin teaching in this new program.\u201d<\/p>\n
Duening joined UCCS in 2009. Previously, he directed entrepreneurial programs at Arizona State University, launched the Arizona Technology Investor Forum and directed\u00a0 the University of Houston\u2019s Entrepreneur and Venture Development Center and was assistant dean for administration and executive programs in the UH College of Business. He also served as president of U.S. Learning Systems and vice president for content development for Edgia, Inc. He is the author of 12 books including, \u201cTechnology Entrepreneurship.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about the new minor in entrepreneurship, contact: Thomas Duening, director, College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship and El Pomar Chair of Business & Entrepreneurship, tduening@uccs.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The College of Business will offer students a minor in entrepreneurship to share the challenges of new ventures and to spur regional economic development.<\/p>\n