Calling Nice Explorers: Travel and Attend Conferences

Entrepreneurship can be taught and developed. Combining learning outside of the classroom is a powerful compliment to in-class learning. That’s why we’re excited to announce the Nice Explorers.

The Nice Explorers provides scholarships for students and faculty to attend conferences or design learning experiences that develop innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. A list of recommended events is listed below, and we welcome suggestions on additional events to add to our list.

Explorers attend with an NDSU cohort and connect with an NDSU alumni while attending. On their return, they share their learnings via podcast or video.

These experiences enable fellows to:

• Break out of their daily routine to create time to think and create
• Learn from leading experts in fields that interest them
• Connect with NDSU classmates, faculty and alumni
• Network with entrepreneurial learners and leaders
• Think bigger about their work and ability to impact their community
• Bring back energy and ideas to the NDSU community

We encourage student and faculty from across campus to apply as we seek to increase the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial activity throughout NDSU. If you have questions, just contact me.

Possibilities Symposium — September 18, 2019 in Fargo, ND

The Possibility Symposium on Social Business gathers community leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs to explore how social entrepreneurship applies business models and strategies to solve unique social challenges.

Twin Cities Startup Week — October 9th-16th, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN

In every corner of the Twin Cities Metro Area there is a hacker, builder, artist, engineer, and entrepreneur whose efforts power the future economic vitality of this great state. During this week, we celebrate their efforts in the form of attention, praise, and investment… if you feel so bold. It’s an entire week of Minnesota-made innovations on display.

SOCAP — October 22–25, 2019 in San Francisco, CA

SOCAP is about activating the capital markets to drive positive social and environmental impact — convening the marketplace at the intersection of money and meaning.

The conference brings together impact investors, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, business leaders and other innovators from across the world in a cross-sector approach to catalyze collaboration for change.

Upswell — November 13–15, 2019 in Chicago, IL

Upswell, Independent Sector’s newly redesigned national conference, will bring together 1,500 of the nation’s leaders and changemakers from all sectors of society, including nonprofits, grant-making organizations, businesses, government agencies, and concerned individuals with no formal affiliations.

Upswell will be an immersive, high-energy forum for passionate individuals committed to turning ideas into action to create a better world.

Cultivate — November 14, 2019 in Fargo, ND

Cultivate is an emerging technology in agriculture conference that convenes leaders to explore tech innovations they’ve created, are currently building, or are searching for in their industry.

Design Your Own Learning

Students and faculty interested in designing an independent learning experience are encouraged to apply for a Nice fellowship.

Your learning experience should connect you with thinkers and doers outside of your existing community and should help you pursue a project or idea. We encourage you to pursue matching support from your department.