Entrepreneurship at Mason

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have an idea for a business. Who can I speak to about my idea?
2. I believe that I have a potentially patentable idea. Who can I speak to about my idea?
3. I own a business. Where can I get information about growing my business?
4. I am an entrepreneur. Where can I find more people like me?
5. My business is growing rapidly. How can we locate students for either internships or full-time opportunities with my company?
6. What is Venture Capital?
7. What is an Incubator?
8. What is the SBDC?

1. I have an idea for a business. Who can I speak to about my idea?

If you are a Faculty Member, Student, Staff, or Alumnus, please contact Ian Mooers, Director, Entrepreneurial and Business Development Programs Support, to schedule an appointment. Call 571-294-6455 or email: imooers@gmu.edu

If you are member of the community, please review the resources listed on the Entrepreneurs page.

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2. I believe that I have a potentially patentable idea. Who can I speak to about my idea?

If you are a Faculty Member, Student, or Staff, the Office of Technology Transfer advises and assists with issues related to patents, copyrights, know-how and commercialization for the many rich and exciting university innovations. To schedule an appointment, please visit the OTT website: Office of Technology Transfer

If you are member of the community, please review the resources listed on the Entrepreneurs page.

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3. I have a business. Where can I get information about growing my business?

Review the local resources listed on the Entrepreneurs page to identify organizations at Mason, local organizations, and national organizations that can help grow your business. The Mason Enterprise Center at the School of Public Policy houses the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC). With locations across Virginia, the SBDC provides business counseling, training, and business planning assistance.

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4. I am an entrepreneur. Where can I find more people like me?

Networking is essential to any business venture. The Washington Metropolitan area has a large network of organizations that offer programs and events geared to emerging businesses. Consider joining the Business Alliance of George Mason University. Members of the Business Alliance include business owners, government and professional organizations, full-time students, faculty and administrators at George Mason University. Members come from many industries, including the financial services, legal, government contracting, marketing, public relations, and technology sectors. All share a common interest in supporting the growth of companies in the region through the exchange of new ideas, contacts, and expertise.
If you are current Mason student, there are several clubs at Mason devoted to business and entrepreneurial interests. The Inventors Club in the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering offers regular webinars from Young Inventors International on topics ranging from Intellecutal Property Protection, becoming an inventor, and much more! The Mason Entrepreneurs Club in the School of Management hosts the Young Entrepreneurs Academy every Spring at Mason. Subscribe to the Mason Entrepreneurs Club Yahoo Group and get updates on club events!
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5. My business is growing rapidly. How can we locate students for either internships or full-time opportunities with my company?

University Career Services offers a free job listing database (PatriotJobWeb) for employers and holds annual Job & Internship Fairs. Mason students and alumni can post resumes and apply for jobs in PJW.

Visit University Career Services website: http://careers.gmu.edu

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6. What is Venture Capital?

From wikipedia: Venture capital is a type of private equity capital typically provided by professional, institutionally-backed outside investors to new, growth businesses. Generally made as cash in exchange for shares in the investee company, venture capital investments are usually high risk, but offer the potential for above-average returns. A venture capitalist (VC) is a person who makes such investments. A venture capital fund is a pooled investment vehicle (often a partnership) that primarily invests the financial capital of third-party investors in enterprises that are too risky for the standard capital markets or bank loans.

The National Association of Seed and Venture Funds is an organization of innovation capital leaders: private, public and non-profit organizations committed to building their local economies by investing in local entrepreneurs.: http://www.nasvf.org

The Mid Atlantic Venture Association's (MAVA) mission is to facilitate private equity investing in the mid-Atlantic region and represent the collective interests of venture capitalists with investment interests in the mid-Atlantic. With more than 500 venture capital professionals from 125 firms, our members collectively manage more than $90 billion in capital: http://www.mava.org"

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7. What is an Incubator?

From wikipedia: Business incubators are organizations that support the entrepreneurial process, helping to increase survival rates for innovative startup companies. Only entrepreneurs with feasible projects are admitted into the incubators, where they are offered a specialized menu of support resources and services. The resources and services open to an entrepreneur include: provision of physical space, management coaching, help in making an effective business plan, administrative services, technical support, business networking, advice on intellectual property and sources of financing.

As a partnership initiative between the George Mason School of Public Policy and the City of Fairfax, the Fairfax Innovation Center is the largest, university-based business incubator in the Commonwealth of Virginia, featuring over 49 office spaces and approximately 29,000 square feet. Fairfax Innovation Center is a business accelerator program designed to help start-up businesses grow and achieve maximum success. Located in Old Town Fairfax, the Fairfax Innovation Center provides furnished office space, telephone and receptionist service, but unlike typical executive suites, we also offer access to business advisors, networking opportunities, and all of the quality educational programs offered at the Mason Enterprise Center. In more than a decade of operation, the Fairfax Innovation Center has helped dozens of companies grow and achieve success. We provide invaluable assistance by setting and monitoring mutually agreed-upon milestones, tracking your financial results, analyzing any shortcomings, and providing recommendations for improvement. Upon achievement of milestones, your firm will graduate from the program within a maximum period of 24 months. Notably, 80% of our clients are able to reach or exceed their goals, and are still in business five years after graduation. http://www.fairfaxinnovationcenter.org/index.htm

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8. What is the SBDC?

The Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network is the most extensive business development program in the Commonwealth. The network is a strategic alliance between the U.S. Small Business Administration, George Mason University-Mason Enterprise Center in the School of Public Policy and local sponsors throughout Virginia. The Virginia SBDC is an organization of 29 local SBDCs across Virginia providing professional business counseling, training and information resources to help grow and strengthen Virginia businesses. In 2006, over 4,500 business owners and managers received one-on-one counseling and more than 9,200 attended a training program offered by a local SBDC. SBDC professionals assist with business planning, marketing, financial analysis, access to capital, business start-up and other specialized services as requested. And companies report successes and impact as a result of their SBDC relationship---over $73 million in loans obtained, $109 million in total capital formation, 4170 jobs created or retained, and an increase in sales of $98.6 million was reported in 2006. http://www.vasbdc.org/