In addition to the Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), GateWay Community College student entrepreneurs will have another resource at their disposal.
In August, the grand opening of Fahrenheit Labs was celebrated. Fahrenheit Labs brings together expertise from CEI and SBDC to provide all Maricopa Community College student entrepreneurs a place to develop their business and business savvy. Fahrenheit Labs is the first and only student incubator available to students at any of the Maricopa Community Colleges.
At the opening, GateWay President Steven R. Gonzales recognized the efforts of those that laid the foundation toward building an entrepreneurial focus at GateWay, in particular that of his predecessor and new President of the Maricopa Corporate College Dr. Eugene Giovannini.
“Dr. Giovannini’s vision of making Gateway a hub for entrepreneurial and small business activity and growth will be a lasting legacy for the area and Gateway,” he said.
“Gateway constantly strives to develop opportunities that are innovative and responsive to the diverse learning needs of our community and our students. From our academic programs to our workforce development initiatives, we continue to cultivate leading professionals in their industry and provide them with the education and skills that are fundamental to their personal and professional success,” said Gonzales.
An initiative of CEI and the Maricopa Corporate College, and housed in the Maricopa SBDC office in the South Building on campus, Fahrenheit Labs will be a one-stop shop of resources, mentorship and guidance available to help nurture and grow student-led businesses.
Eligible students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours at any one of the ten community colleges and/or two skill centers as well as maintain a 2.5 GPA or higher upon entrance and throughout the duration of their time in the program. Additional business-related factors will also be used to determine final acceptance into Fahrenheit Labs.
“Fahrenheit Labs represents a new form of entrepreneurial education for the students that are accepted, as they will be exposed to a tremendous wealth of small business knowledge and experience – learning every step of the way how to better position their company for long-term prosperity and how to better position themselves for success after they complete their academic studies,” said Maria Harper-Marinick, executive vice chancellor and provost of Maricopa Community College District.
Students are welcome to apply to be part of the program. Call (602) 286-8958 for more information.