PHASE I, II, & III PROGRAMS
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION
Wyoming’s ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation is confusing and complicated to most aspiring entrepreneurs, as a result, the Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will bring awareness and connectivity to existing resources and organizations, as well as develop new channels for entrepreneurs. The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will serve as an interdisciplinary integrator for programs supporting the state’s priority economic sectors, in addition to activating new business sectors and supporting state workforce objectives to deliver necessary infrastructure and support for statewide expansion of entrepreneurship.
MAKERSPACE
Makerspaces provide a critical opportunity for innovators and entrepreneurs to access emergent technology and fabrication tools that may be otherwise inaccessible due to cost, size, ventilation, power, or other factors. They can provide venues for a highly inclusive, energetic, accessible environment where makers from all technical levels, abilities, ages, and backgrounds can bring their unique experiences and perspectives to the innovative design process.
INNOVATION WORKSHOPS AND CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT
Wyoming has always been fertile ground for entrepreneurs that want to build an organization and remain living in Wyoming. There has been very limited education or resources to support entrepreneurs in a way that supports a higher level of long-term success. This project involves building a comprehensive regional entrepreneurial ecosystem to inspire and support start-up companies and advance existing companies through innovation.
CREATIVE ECONOMY
Wyoming’s creative arts are a critical, but often overlooked portion of the state’s economy. This programming will create a series of workshops and start-up competitions focused on sustainable careers and businesses in the creative arts that fuel tourism, culminating in the development of a centralized "hub" of Wyoming’s creative economy resources. It will also utilize and build on the successes of existing partnerships.
PHASE I KEY METRICS
The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) plays a crucial role in navigating the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation within the state. Recognizing the perplexity faced by aspiring entrepreneurs, the Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, a key component of WIP, is dedicated to enhancing awareness and connectivity among existing resources and organizations by establishing and fostering collaboration and spearheading programs aligned with the state's economic priorities.
Wyoming already boasts an impressive 76.5% success rate for startups remaining active after one year. WIP fortifies support for the existing workforce and champions the development of new business sectors. In Phase I, this initiative has resulted in four innovative programs, including a career and technical education (CTE) program, a certificate program, an associate's degree program, and a bachelor's degree program, showcasing a commitment to comprehensive and diverse educational pathways for future entrepreneurs within the state.
PHASE II KEY METRICS
Entrepreneurship is a vital component of Wyoming’s economy. The WIP serves as a vital force in guiding entrepreneurship and innovation across Wyoming by providing support for both the existing workforce and fostering new business sectors. Several new and continuing programs are benefitting from the WIP’s commitment to diverse educational pathways for future entrepreneurs statewide.
PHASE III KEY METRICS
Entrepreneurship is a vital driver of Wyoming’s economy, and communities across the state are gaining new opportunities to innovate and grow through WIP efforts. At the University of Wyoming, initiatives like the Venture MBA, Entrepreneur-in-Residence activities, and the Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program are strengthening business education and connecting students and start-ups with world-class expertise. The Creative Economy project is fueling Wyoming’s artistic sector through workshops, competitions, and seed funding, while makerspaces are expanding access to technology, innovation, and hands-on learning from Sheridan to Laramie. At Central Wyoming College, the Bootstrap Collaborative Center for Innovation has already supported more than 270 entrepreneurs and 35 new businesses, while the new Business Studio at LCCC is helping local innovators turn ideas into sustainable companies. With additional efforts like statewide ecosystem mapping, WIP is bringing greater visibility and coordination to Wyoming’s entrepreneurial resources.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (WyCEI) is committed to coordinating, collaborating, promoting, and strengthening the entrepreneurship mindset throughout the state. Tasked with supporting and impacting various units and organizations within Wyoming's entrepreneurship ecosystem, WyCEI aims to position the University of Wyoming (UW) as a leader in the innovation sector.
WyCEI successfully developed and offered a topics course on entrepreneurship activities during the Summer of 2023. This course, hosted by the University Honors College, included 13 students from UW, one student from LCCC and one from Casper Community College.
Course Highlights:
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Real-World Experiences: Participants engage in hands-on experiences, gaining insights into the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.
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Mentorship: Accomplished entrepreneurs provide mentorship, guiding students in turning their passion into something tangible.
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Interdisciplinary Approach: The program adopts a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship education.
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Statewide Journey: Students visit startups, local businesses, and incubators across Wyoming, witnessing real-world challenges and triumphs.
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Networking Opportunities: Participants connect with like-minded individuals, aspiring entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
This kind of hands-on, interdisciplinary approach aims to provide participants with insights into the challenges and triumphs of successful entrepreneurs, as well as demonstrate the collaborative effort to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation in Wyoming.
Visit Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation | University of Wyoming (uwyo.edu) to learn more.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MAKERSPACE
The Wyoming Innovation Partnership is proud to support the Concept Phorge at the Laramie County Community College (LCCC) Advanced Manufacturing and Material Center and the University of Wyoming's Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace program.
Laramie County Community College and Concept Phorge
Concept Phorge is an advanced manufacturing and fabrication lab and makerspace at LCCC that was established to serve as a maker-to-market (M2M) fabrication lab focused on closing the gap in the M2M pathway and strengthening Wyoming’s ability to support locally invented and innovated products.
Concept Phorge is equipped with:
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3D printers
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laser printers
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sublimation printers
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camera equipment
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other fabrication necessities to be utilized by LCCC students and the local community through a variety of membership and class options.
Learn more and sign up to visit Concept Phorge at https://www.lccc.wy.edu/manufacturing/conceptForge.aspx.
Sheridan College and Sheridan Phorge
Sheridan College and the Sheridan Phorge makerspace are investing in resources to support the local entrepreneur and manufacturing ecosystem in Sheridan. The college is currently investing in a new Tier 2 and 3 manufacturing incubator to be located inside their new Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Center.
The manufacturing incubator will work to elevate its ability to support the growing manufacturing hub in the region and is in line with the state’s diversification goals, the Wyoming Community College Commission’s strategic plan, and Sheridan College’s mission and strategic plan. The college has sought and obtained funding from local sources – such as Whitney Benefits and other philanthropic and public organizations – as well as state and federal sources to build capacity with highly skilled faculty, new and renovated facilities, industry-aligned curriculum, and state-of-the-art equipment.
The college’s alignment with regional employers such in the manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, and healthcare sectors ensures that graduates are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills they’ll need for careers in these fields. This is an extension of these efforts to provide technologically relevant training opportunities and make a difference in our community through educational leadership.
Learn more at: https://phorge.co/.
University of Wyoming and Mobile Makerspace
The University of Wyoming’s Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace program is set to revolutionize STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education in rural and remote Wyoming communities. Students gain access to cutting-edge technology such as robots, 3D printers, drones, and more, promoting hands-on experience and cross-institutional credentials.
Designed to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities, these mobile makerspaces — crates, trailers, and mobile workshops — offer a flexible and accessible solution. Students can train in a makerspace and gain access to the entire network, participating in free workshops, earning badges, and acquiring marketable skills. Shippable ‘maker crates’ can also be sent directly to schools/communities. The Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace program is made possible by a WIP investment, demonstrating a commitment to advancing education and innovation in Wyoming, with twenty-two (and growing) educational and community partners engaged across the state.
To learn more about the Wyrkshop Mobile Makerspace program and its impact on STEAM and CTE education, visit www.uwyo.edu/wip/makerspace. Explore the collaborative Maker Access Map program and find local makerspaces at www.wyrkshop.org/map. Join us in shaping the future of education and innovation in Wyoming.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
INNOVATION WORKSHOPS AND CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT
Recognizing the need for enhanced education and resources to support entrepreneurs, the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) backs efforts to create a robust infrastructure for increasing the success rate of start-ups in Wyoming. With WIP funding, Central Wyoming College (CWC) has been able to support the efforts of the Bootstrap Collaborative and the Fremont County entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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The Bootstrap Collaborative Center for Innovation (BCCI) is central to CWC's mission, aiming to strengthen the education of entrepreneurs and build a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem within the service area. This encompasses
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formal college courses/programs
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non-credit workshops
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collaborations with key partners
The BCCI partners with Makerspace 307, At Work, County 10, and Wind River Development to provide tools, co-working space, web design and marketing consulting, and funding consultation to build a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, fostering the growth of start-ups and advancing existing companies through innovation.
In Phase I of the WIP initiative, CWC supported internships, hosted monthly workshops and networking events, vetted consultants, and hosted the Teton Leadership Center Kickoff Summit in partnership with Silicon Couloir. The Director of Innovation at CWC oversees these activities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship education and support. The Bootstrap Collaborative also pioneers new courses, entrepreneurship training for Native Americans, and a "Values-Based Leadership" program in partnership with Silicon Couloir.
Looking ahead, CWC is actively involved in developing new courses and the institution and expanding the Teton Leadership Center. As part of the WIP, Central Wyoming College is committed to driving entrepreneurial success in Wyoming's business landscape.
For more information on the Bootstrap collaborative, visit About Us | The Bootstrap Collaborative.
To learn more about the Teton Leadership Center visit: https://tetonleadershipcenter.org/about/.
To learn more about the Entrepreneurship Program at CWC, visit: Entrepreneurship - Central Wyoming College (cwc.edu).
WIP SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS IN WYOMING
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CREATIVE ECONOMY
The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) exists to support growth with across multiple sectors, including through public investment that can yield private investment. One such sector that ties greatly into the innovation component of the WIP is creative entrepreneurship in regards to the arts and culture.
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Wyoming’s creative economy is a critical, but often overlooked, portion of the state’s economy. The arts and cultural sector account for 10,640 full time jobs, making up 3.8% of state employment and 4.3% of state compensation (Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2020). Examples of creative economy opportunities include art galleries, music venues, museums, film festivals, libraries, publishers, cultural centers, retail vendors in the arts, and many others ventures.
Creative economies not only contribute to a community’s cultural identity, but they also encourage people to stay and live in a community, attract and create jobs, aid in new business recruitment and retention, and contribute to hospitality and tourism. Data shows that cultural tourists stay longer in a location and spend 36% more at their destination than other kinds of travelers (Mandala Research, Travel Industry Association of America, CVI). The creative economy is an essential driver for new business recruitment and retention in Wyoming Communities.
The WIP has several key initiatives including:
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creative economy workshops
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a creative economy start-up competition
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industry mentoring
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the development of a centralize hub for resources for the state’s creative entrepreneurs.
The workshops will bring together artists, performers, arts professionals, and other creative thinkers and makers to support career development and networking within the the state. Participants will be incentivized by the startup competition to use the information and skills they acquired to start a business or develop an idea right here in the state. The overall goal is to foster the creative economy in a Wyoming community.
This work is being led by UW’s Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts in collaboration with Sheridan College and Northwest College, with workshops expected in Laramie, Sheridan, Riverton, Powell, and Rock Springs in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
