Think Like an Entrepreneur

The Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation brings resources to students and citizens alike. 

By Micaela Myers

The Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) is funded by the Wyoming Innovation Partnership and aims to coordinate, collaborate, promote and strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset. Located on the University of Wyoming Laramie campus, WyCEI is helping UW become a leader in the innovation sector with wide-ranging partnerships.

Not only can citizens contact WyCEI to learn about resources, but the center also brings entrepreneurial skills to students — from high school to college — through courses, workshops, speakers and more.

“The ultimate goal is to keep students in Wyoming,” explains Director Penelope Shihab. “If they can’t find their opportunity in an existing business, they have the opportunity to create their own business.”

One example of student programming — Shihab led a free three-week Innovate Wyoming course this past summer that was open to community college and UW students. The course included visits to businesses in five communities as well as to the governor and state legislators.

“I took the students to talk to entrepreneurs so they could understand their vision, operation, investment and how they scale up,” she says. “Through this, students grew their own network and made connections.”

Part of the Wyoming Business Resource Network, WyCEI also connects entrepreneurs with the state’s many resources, including IMPACT 307, the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network and Manufacturing Works.

Momentum is building regarding entrepreneurship in the state, Shihab says: “We’ve all agreed this is the right timing to push, strengthen and work on these initiatives.”

Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/innovation.

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