Having encouraging relationships is helpful when trying to achieve any goal. Just like a company might have a board of advisors, it’s helpful for individuals to have a network of mentors — people who can share past experience, advice or just a different perspective. The Venture Devils program is here to help you talk through ideas, examine what might be missing, build new relationships and learn from other people’s successes, missteps and course corrections.

No single venture was ever created by one person, and every entrepreneur should understand that it’s important to reach out when a particularly tough challenge arises, or when they just need another person to bounce some ideas off of. Edson E+I Institute has many resources to help with this, for example our Entrepreneurship Catalysts who work with students, faculty and staff throughout the academic year to answer questions, provide connections and increase opportunity in the entrepreneurship space.

Edson E+I works closely with local businesses, municipalities and other stakeholders to create high-impact partnerships to serve our surrounding community. One example is Peoria Forward — an alliance we’ve developed with the City of Peoria designed to grow and scale the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Peoria and accelerate economic development throughout the West Valley.