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The following is an article by Manuel Soberon, a G51 Venture Scholar and MBA candidate at Baylor University (originally published on LinkedIn). Manuel is one of a group of students at Baylor and 10 other universities across the country that is completing the Venture Scholar Program: G51 teaches the next generation of business leaders about private equity and how to evaluate startups through the lens of Venture Capital investors. Below is Manuel’s article.

As an MBA student at Baylor University, I have the opportunity to take advantage of special programs and literally work and prepare for a career I love. Baylor University offers a program partnering with G-51 Amplify, an Austin based research firm that uses its experience in the venture capital world to connect clients with interesting and strategic businesses, people and technology. Working with G-51 prepares me to fulfill my goal of becoming an angel investor in the future.

G-51 Amplify works with students of top universities around the U.S. Once I heard this opportunity was offered to us, it didn’t take me half a second to realize this was the perfect opportunity to me. For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for running my own business. Growing up, my father exposed me to what being a true entrepreneur really was and I love every aspect of it. As a Venture Scholar at G-51, we conduct due diligence and provide adequate research and feedback on startups. This program has given me valuable experience on how this industry works.

[Source: Rudy Garza, Founder/Partner of G51: left to right- Austin Jolesch (Baylor), Trun Giang (Baylor), David Wynn (G51), Ed Valdez (G51), Nataysha Doyel (G51), Bill Kennedy (G51), Gordian Braun (Baylor), Manuel Soberon (Baylor), Rudy Garza (G51)]

At G-51 we are exposed to the greatest mentors with years of experience in the industry. They take the time to talk to us, give us opinions, but most of all, they are really interested in seeing us transform and grow. The learning environment is a priority at G-51. I am a firm believer in great ideas and in great people. There are hard working people out there with great ideas that just need a little help, and I would love to be a part of that growth. I will use my experience and knowledge to get the most out of this wonderful program in order to be better prepared for my future goal of becoming an angel investor.#studentvoicesFor more information about G51’s Venture Scholar Program, click here to read more and/or apply for our next cohort.[G51 thanks Professor Kevin Castello, EMBA Professor at Baylor University, who has consistently advised and supported top EMBA candidates who are accepted in the G51 Venture Scholar program.]

[Smartbulb: Bulb+Stereo Speaker - Source: ]

[Smartbulb: Bulb+Stereo Speaker by Sengled]

The following articles are the Top 3 Innovation Insights this week (ww1) with a brief snapshot summary of their strategic importance to your firm.

1) Meet the 2016 CES Innovation Award Winners (USA Today)

Snapshot: No January would be complete without mentioning the most innovative products/services which are announced annually at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Camera-drones, smartbulbs,, 3D glasses and other innovations were displayed in the CES 2016 showcase. Click here for a comprehensive list of winners. Or read the full article here on USA Today.

Strategic Impact: Fortune 500 companies and startups can benefit from reviewing the list of CES Innovation Award winners to get a glimpse of trends in mobile technology, Internet of Things and wearable tech – among many other fast-moving industry sectors. Equally important is that companies can ensure that whatever may be on their roadmap will present a competitive advantage to those innovations already announced.

2) Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Snapshot: The only thing constant is change. So what would it take to train company leaders and employees how to improve the quality and speed of innovation? As the Association for Talent Development cites, the next 10 years will bring more change than the last 10,000 years. There are four areas that businesses need to teach workers how to improve: spotting and reacting to new trends, bringing creativity and innovation to life, dealing with disruption and identifying tomorrow’s leaders (change agents). Click here to read the full article.

Strategic Impact: Although companies routinely set strategic agendas and tactical implementation plans, most companies have not defined or launched an Innovation Strategy. This article cites the need for urgency and advises every company to set up a plan to become futurists in order to embrace curiosity, act courageously, be adaptive, connect the dots and work on future proofing your business.

[Source: NewEurope.eu]

3) Why Entrepreneurship Education Matters:

Snapshot: Business scenarios are full of risks and uncertainties because business models are being disrupted and traditional mindsets need to evolve to newer mindsets for innovation. Improving Entrepreneurship Education at undergraduate and graduate schools is a significant and cost-effective way of investing in the future to foster economic growth and competitiveness. Businesses need to partner with universities to help prepare and equip a new generation of innovative thinkers and problem solvers with an entrepreneurial mindset. Click here to read the full article.

Strategic Impact: While the article is written from a European perspective, the premise that business, academia, startup communities and local governments should be sitting at the same table to create entrepreneurial education programs pertains to the USA as well. By working together, such coalitions can redefine how to improve the pipeline for success from K-12 schools through PhD programs in the USA and stimulate economic growth in existing businesses as well as improve employability and generate new startups at a faster pace.

Are there other articles you’ve read recently that you would consider highlighting? Let us know via innovation@18.219.185.187.

If you’re interested in how to provide innovation training and/or foster an entrepreneurial mindset in your company, contact us.

[Ed Valdez is Vice President of Global Business Strategy at G51.]

Posts

G51 Venture Scholar: Preparing for My Future

Top 3 Innovation Insights (ww1): CES Awards, Tomorrow’s Leaders & Entrepreneurship Education