The Blackstone Charitable Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to establish the signature Blackstone Launchpad program at Arizona State University and 30 students enrolled at ASU and 10 Maricopa community colleges. Awarded additional grants to fund paid summer internships at targeted local startup companies.
Interested students should apply for summer internships by May 5th. Opportunities also exist at Blackstone and some companies within its portfolio.
Blackstone LaunchPad seeks to close the opportunity gap by providing college students with entrepreneurial skills and career exposure to promote economic mobility. Launched in 2021, the program was originally founded with a focus on entrepreneurship and helping students become tomorrow’s job creators. We provide tools for experiential learning that allows students to develop critical skills sought by employers.
“ASU is committed to promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our students and is grateful for the generous support and partnership of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. ’s existing ecosystem and provide students with the resources and networks they need to succeed in the rapidly changing world of work,” said Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise. Masu.
Blackstone LaunchPad works with ASU’s J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute and Maricopa Community Colleges to offer regular workshops, networking and pitching events, internship opportunities, and other skill-building resources. The program is free and available to all enrolled college students, regardless of major or experience.
“We believe that entrepreneurial skills help our students succeed in their future careers. For Blackstone LaunchPad, there is no better partner than ASU and MCCCD. “We are an institution deeply committed to reaching our goals and preparing for a bright future,” said Maura Parry, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.
“The Blackstone LaunchPad platform provides a network for students to hone their creativity, curiosity, critical thinking and leadership skills, making them more competitive and confident in today’s job market,” said ASU’s Lauren Dunning. “I will.” “We’re seeing an evolution from what is the career path that I want to what are the skills that I want to develop? The skill set and perspective of being entrepreneurial and taking an innovative approach to life. will be valuable no matter what your future career path is.”
The Edson Institute’s mission is to help students become entrepreneurial and pursue their ideas. With LaunchPad, you can gain entrepreneurial skills early in the process and expand your network early, including students at Blackstone and Maricopa Community College.
“With 10 colleges and 31 satellite locations across the Valley, Maricopa Community College meets students where they are and provides a path to endless opportunities through innovative program offerings.” said County Community College District President Stephen R. Gonzalez. “This partnership with Blackstone LaunchPad opens new doors, fosters entrepreneurship, and empowers students to make valuable contributions within their communities.”
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Acacia Barnett, program manager for ASU’s Blackstone LaunchPad, speaks to students, leaders, and community partners about her entrepreneurial journey, which includes starting two businesses and a nonprofit organization.
Photo by Eban Straker-Meads/ASU Enterprise Partners
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Maura Parry, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, announced the $1 million grant awarded to establish the Blackstone Launchpad program at ASU and to fund local paid summer internships. We speak to students, ASU leaders, and Maricopa County Community College District leaders about additional grants. The startup targets her 30 students enrolled at ASU and her 10 Maricopa community colleges.
Photo by Eban Straker-Meads/ASU Enterprise Partners
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Students will hear from speakers about ASU’s new Blackstone LaunchPad program, which provides entrepreneurship skills training and internship opportunities to students enrolled at ASU and 10 Maricopa community colleges.
Photo credit: Eban Straker Meads/ASU Enterprise Partners
Registered ASU or community college students in any field can join ASU LaunchPad at any time by signing up through the website. Time commitments vary by activity, and students can participate through the network. Several virtual events will be held during the summer. The fall program includes five to six programs and events each month, allowing students to choose the ones they would like to experience.
“The interesting thing about LaunchPad is that there is no one version of what success looks like, but our hope is that students will feel more prepared for whatever their future holds. , becoming more connected to the community and becoming more aware of how innovation and entrepreneurship are relevant to us as skills,” Dunning said.
Acacia Barnett, program manager for ASU’s Blackstone LaunchPad and founder of two businesses and a nonprofit organization, said Blackstone LaunchPad is a great way for students to seek advice and gain valuable insight while exploring career paths and entrepreneurship. He said it provides an opportunity to learn. She was a student entrepreneur.
Barnett, who earned a bachelor’s degree in tourism development and management from ASU in 2013 and plans to earn a master’s degree in architecture from ASU in the future, said he is now looking to network, continue education and seek mentorship in the business world. I understand the importance of this,” he said. This spring.
“You can always learn and gain something new from the insights and experiences of others. Programs like LaunchPad help students navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship.”
