Involvement of Graduate

Students in

Entrepreneurship&Innovation

Faculty Researchers:

Kim Schatzel, PhD; Joy Beatty, PhD; Crystal Scott, PhD

Student Researchers:

Anas Kassoumeh, Kerry Thompson, Steven George

College of Business, University of Michigan-Dearborn

iLabs, a research institute established within the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Business in 2006, is dedicated to advancing the understanding of corporate, entrepreneurial and

institutional innovation and its impact on economic development. For more information, please visit www.umdilabs.com

iLabs MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGY CLIMATE

iLabs, the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research, conducts research to better

understand the opinions of executives regarding Michigan’s business climate for technology firms. iLabs

partners with the Detroit Regional Chamber and Automation Alley on this annual survey of technology

executives from across southeast Michigan. Respondents are leaders in technology firms with

business activity in Michigan. Many of the firms report they have stable or growing workforce, but indicate

that Michigan lags other states as an environment to successfully start and grow a technology firm.

RECOVERY PARK

RecoveryPark is a planned community redevelopment project for the city of Detroit that will include urban farming, education, commercial

and housing development along with other projects that visions the rebuilding of a partner

community with an eye toward financial and environmental self-sustainability. It is a projected 10-year, multi-million dollar project that will help

the city and its residents recover through personal and economic empowerment.

eCities is an annual research study that examines community-level factors that influence entrepreneurship, economic

development, and job growth. Local communities who participate in the project receive benchmarking reports showing their

performance at creating inviting business environments and encouraging entrepreneurial growth. The focus of the project is

to learn and share the “Best Practices” to attract entrepreneurial development and create business growth. Understanding the

best practices and utilizing these concepts across Michigan will have a positive impact on the state’s economic future.

POST GRADUATE EXPECTATIONS SURVEY

iLabs conducts an annual online survey of seniors on campus to understand the policy considerations that are attracting students to Michigan or leading

them to seek other opportunities outside of the State. The survey is part of comprehensive study

with the objective to maintain a better understanding of student’s professional and

personal expectations following graduation and how those impact Michigan’s future

This is the third time this survey has been conducted and it explains what factors students are looking for in a place as they consider where they

will settle down after graduation.

THE CAPUCHIN SOUP KITCHEN & ON THE RISE BAKERY

To make a sustainable impact in the Metropolitan Detroit community, the College of

Business partnered with the well-regarded Capuchin Soup Kitchen. The Capuchins use the Reaching Our Potential Everyday (ROPE) model as a program to help addicts and ex-prisoners

through a recovery process. As part of this, the men had started a small bakery operation which quickly outgrew their facility; generous outside

funding allowed them to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. Hence, in April 2009

the Capuchins opened a retail bakery, appropriately named, “On The Rise.”

While the eCities project focuses on assisting local governments, the voice of the business community and

their needs are critical components of the project. To help local governments better understand the business

perspective, iLabs has created the eCities Business Survey The objectives of this survey were twofold. One, to hear opinions of local businesses about what local resources and factors are critical for community growth; and two,

learn what local governments can do to support business' growth and future success

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Questions or feedback?

Program Director: Tim Davis

(tadavis@umd.umich.edu)

Poster Design: Anas Kassoumeh

(akassoum@umd.umich.edu)

Using your Smartphone and the associated application, snap a photo of the icons below and link to more information

GRADUATE STUDENTS RESEARCHERS Anas Kassoumeh, Anas recently finished his Master in Finance degree with Distinction at the University of Michigan – Dearborn’s college of business, where he is also volunteering as a research assistant at the Center for Innovation Research (iLabs) by conducting quantitative data gathering and performing inferential statistical analysis. Anas started his career as an engineer; he holds a master degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy, certified and trained in Quality and Six Sigma and has a work experience in manufacturing companies both domestically and overseas. Currently he is working at Caparo Vehicle Components Inc.

Steven George Steven’s research experience includes aspects of quantitative and qualitative primary and secondary research design, implementation, analysis, reporting and presentation of findings. Prior to joining Clear Seas Research as a Project Manager in March 2008, Steven worked for EventNetwork as an Operations Manager, overseeing data integrity for multiple retail stores. Steven is a graduate of The University of Michigan-Dearborn, where he earned a Bachelors of Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Business Management, and is currently working towards

a Masters of Business Administration there.

Kerry Thompson, of Ann Arbor, is a lifelong Michigan resident committed to furthering education and entrepreneurship within our state and communities. Currently, he is a doctoral student in the Marketing Department of the Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. His work at the Center for Innovation Research (iLabs) at University of Michigan – Dearborn has fueled complementary interests in entrepreneurship, social media, and dynamics of emerging markets. Professionally, Kerry has over fifteen years experience in hospitality management and sales as well as extensive entrepreneurial experience. He has contributed to the successful launch and operation of many small businesses and currently co-owns a small restaurant with his brother. At University of Michigan – Dearborn, Kerry recently completed a dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Finance degree with distinction (2010). He previously completed a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and Management with honors, achieving the rank of Distinguished Scholar with High Distinction (2008)