WEP Entrepreneur in Residence Program in Wharton West



	HOME NEWS & EVENTS ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREERS Overview Internships at Startups Venture Capital and Private Equity Corporate Venturing Consulting Clubs and Conferences Partners and Resources Awards and Fellowships STARTING A BUSINESS TEACHING & LEARNING RESEARCH ALUMNI Get It Started - WEP's newsletter of highlights and insights		Wharton Entrepreneur in Residence Program Wharton West Campus What is the EIR Program? How to Participate What EIR Offers Wharton Alumni and Other Entrepreneurs What EIR Offers Students Upcoming EIR at Wharton West: Charles Moldow General Partner, Foundation Capital What is the EIR Program? Recognizing that many students at the University of Pennsylvania want to start their own businesses, Wharton Entrepreneurial Programs offers the Entrepreneur in Residence Program (EIR) to complement the classroom learning experience at Penn. EIR provides an opportunity for students to meet one on one with a successful entrepreneur to discuss his or her aspirations as an entrepreneur. Students are expected to come prepared with questions, based on their ideas, opinions, and strategies for potential or actual business ventures. Students are encouraged to choose to meet with entrepreneurs who are active in fields that capture the student's interest. How To Participate Students: In order to for this program to succeed, participating students are expected to: Make appointments in advance Honor the commitment and appear on time for the appointment Come prepared and conduct the conversation professionally A student may schedule appointments with as many EIR's as he or she wishes. However, a student must register in advance for each appointment. Students may only schedule one appointment with each entrepreneur. Failure to appear for an appointment or to provide adequate advance notice of a cancellation will preclude the student from participating in the program in the future. A waitlist is available for signup in case all the appointments are taken. Students on the waitlist will be contacted to fill slots in the order that they sign on to the waitlist. What EIR Offers Wharton Alumni and Other Entrepreneurs Wharton welcomes into the Entrepreneur in Residence Program successful entrepreneurs who enjoy working with students aspiring to follow in their footsteps. The program complements students' academic classroom learning experience at the University of Pennsylvania by providing advice and counsel from an accomplished entrepreneur who has survived the difficult process of launching a business. During one-on-one meetings with the EIR, students who want to start their own businesses profit immensely from the wisdom and real-world perspective offered by the founder of a thriving business. The benefits for participating EIRs include: Interaction with Wharton and Penn student entrepreneurs while sharing lessons learned in the trenches The opportunity to help shape a student's future The potential for a relationship to grow out of a student meeting if it is mutually beneficial The opportunity to meet with faculty at Wharton or Penn as desired Potential speaking engagement with a student club such as the Wharton Entrepreneurs Club In order to for this program to succeed, an Entrepreneur in Residence is expected to: Provide an up-to-date biography, a photograph and a description of three areas of expertise offered Meet with students in 30-minute intervals that day An entrepreneur who is interested in participating in the Wharton Entrepreneur in Residence Program is invited to apply using our online application form, or can contact Juana Droessler at juana@wharton.upenn.edu or by phone at (415) 267-6312. What the EIR Program Offers Students The EIR Program offers a participating student: A one-on-one meeting with an experienced, innovative and highly successful entrepreneur Ideas and feedback on the student's business concept, strategy or venture The chance to learn best practices for starting a business Insight into specific industries or markets The opportunity to broaden the student's professional network Potential opportunity for a relationship to grow out of this meeting Please note that EIR meetings are not recruiting visits. Students may not discuss job opportunities with the EIR. In addition, students are advised that, consistent with industry practice, entrepreneurs are not asked to sign confidentiality agreements prior to participating in the program. Entrepreneurs should always operate under the assumption that any communication (written or oral), absent a written and signed agreement, that they have about their venture is not legally protected. To schedule an appointment with an EIR, respond to the announcement.