Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation Funds for Giving!
The Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI), in the Seidman College of Business, is dedicated to developing best practices in entrepreneurship education and community engagement that enhance and impact the creation of new ventures and opportunities. Want to help us make an impact on more students and those in the entrepreneurial community? Review what funds we have available below and give today!
THANK YOU!
We could not do what we do without donors like you – thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a positive impact on GVSU students as well as the entrepreneurial community.
77 Idea Quest
77 Idea Quest offers an exciting opportunity for GVSU Lakers from all majors to turn their ideas into real-world solutions. Whether you're studying engineering, business, healthcare, or the arts, this competition challenges you to identify problems and propose innovative answers that can make a difference. You’ll gain valuable skills that set you apart in your career, while competing, collaborating, and innovating with peers from across disciplines. Showcase your creativity and problem-solving abilities in front of faculty, mentors, and the community. Each college will award a $500 College Champion Award, and the top ideas will compete for up to $3,000 in prizes.
Interested in sponsoring this program? Review the sponsorship packet below!
CEI Special Projects
The CEI Special Projects Fund plays a key role in supporting the wide range of programs and initiatives at the Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI). From collegiate competitions and workshops for veteran entrepreneurs to community-focused programs, this fund helps us deliver on our mission to inspire and support entrepreneurs. This fund is also designed to be flexible, giving us the ability to explore new ideas, test pilot programs, and launch special projects that don’t fit into traditional funding sources. It helps us take on opportunities that enhance our programs and provide greater value to students, entrepreneurs, and the community. By contributing to the CEI Special Projects Fund, you’re helping us grow and adapt, making sure we’re able to meet the evolving needs of the entrepreneurial community.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization Endowment
CEO has helped launch multiple student-run start-ups . We provide members with support, knowledge, networking opportunities and accountability to insure the maximum amount of success in their business ventures. We enhance our meetings by bringing industry leaders to speak on relevant topics, exploring local resources, and learning how to implement cutting edge business concepts into our projects. You are by no means required to have an idea or business before joining the group. We welcome students of all disciplines. Our leadership team can help you through the ideation process or match you up with an existing team that is in need of your talents.
What do we do?
The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization is the premier entrepreneurship organization at GVSU. We focus on active goal setting and accountability to empower students and community members who are serious about their business to go to the next level. The GVSU chapter won 1st place in Entrepreneurial Action the past two years at the CEO National Conference.
Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur Lab Fund
The Michigan Veteran Entrepreneur-Lab (MVE-Lab) is a program offered through the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) Richard M. and Helen DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI). MVE-Lab offers a free, 3-month cohort-based entrepreneurship accelerator for veterans and military-connected families. It is designed to provide hands-on startup education for those seeking to start a business, and win part of $20,000 in prize funding. The program is augmented by weekly guest speakers and mentoring sessions to provide feedback on pitch development and business acumen.
Interested in sponsoring this program? Review the sponsorship packet below!
Paton Family Entrepreneurial Fund
Don and Diane Paton Family Entrepreneur Scholarship
This scholarship was established to assist students pursuing Entrepreneurship during their junior and senior years.
Scholarship Criteria
- Must be an undergraduate junior or senior enrolled full time and making Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Must be enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Certificate Program, or Entrepreneurship Major
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
Renewal Criteria: This scholarship may be renewed without reapplication provided the recipient continues to meet the qualifications stated above. This scholarship may be awarded to an individual for a maximum of four (4) semesters.
Award: $1,500
Rockford Construction Student Enterprise Endowment
The Rockford Construction Student Enterprise Endowment is designed with a clear mission to fuel entrepreneurial ambition among Grand Valley students by offering pre-seed venture capital to those with the drive and resilience to transform ideas into reality. This endowment supports GVSU student-founded businesses, specifically aiming to bridge funding gaps and help them reach crucial milestones. By providing grants at the early and growth stages, the fund enables student-run businesses to access essential resources they might not otherwise have, supporting the journey from concept to launch.
The grants play a crucial role in covering startup costs that are often barriers for student entrepreneurs. Funds can be used for essentials like licenses for digital platforms, purchasing initial supplies, securing equipment such as cameras for a photography business, and much more. By providing access to these resources, the endowment empowers students to gain momentum and tackle early challenges that come with starting a business.
Fundraising Goal: $10,000
Momentum by Seidman
Formerly LendGR Program
Momentum by Seidman (formerly LendGR) mission is to empower entrepreneurs who lack the necessary resources and support by providing them access to one-on-one technical consulting to provide clear and tangible deliverables to grow their business. The program will target West Michigan small businesses or startups in the early stages of 25 employees or less. Each eligible business will be paired with a qualified GVSU student who will provide up to 30 hours of probono services to deliver a tangible solution in areas of marketing, finance, social media development and more.