Entrepreneurial research stood out at the tri-annual UVM board of trustees meeting May 19 – 20.

University officials presented some of their current research on entrepreneurship at the meeting May 19.

“We believe that the region is at a tipping point for innovation and entrepreneurship,” Galbraith and Provost David Rosowsky stated in a report they presented to the board.

Outside funding for research increased by over $5 million in fiscal year 2016 from the previous year, according to the report.

In November 2016, UVM hosted a conference titled Creating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.

https://www.uvm.edu/newsstories/news/legislative_summit_addresses_entrepreneurship_ecosystem

Students have had a role in creating this ecosystem, too, through the Catamount Innovation Fund, the report stated.

The fund started with an initial $15,000 by SGA in spring 2017 and will fund student business proposals.

SGA President Chris Petrillo said the fund will need to find other sources of funding next year.

The governor’s office plans to start similar programs, Scott said in a February interview with the Vermont Cynic.