Today we learned more about Engineering development in the Czech Republic through the Central Bohemian Institute. They specialize in helping startups and small companies receive funding and other resources in order to actualize their idea. Many successful businesses have gone through their trainings and they are able to reach a wide audience. They discovered these startups through outreach programs into high schools and universities. Many students projects are then able to be turned into something applicable in the world. In the class we discussed the biggest challenges people face when starting a business. One big issue the representative we spoke to discussed, Athziri Moreno Romo, was finding the right market for the product. Many people struggle to separate their ideas and personal beliefs from what the market needs. The Central Bohemian Institute provides advice and professional mentors in those specialized fields to help direct the company so that they can actualize their goal.
In Pittsburgh, startups work in a similar manner. When someone has an idea, the first step is often either searching for funding or building out better prototypes. For students of Pitt, we are provided with many resources from the university (maker space, professional contacts, etc.) that allow students to freely experiment. Instead of needing to go to a private entity and receive external support, students can incorporate their businesses into their education.
Swanson School of Engineering 