Kohler Foundation grant to benefit student entrepreneurs
51ĀŅĀ× has received a $5,000 grant from the Kohler Foundation for the LU Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (LUCIE) which helps student startups overcome the financial barriers to launching a business.
LUCIE will set up a fund to cover the initial startup expenses and help students fill their first orders and generate revenue.
āWhen a student receives an initial order for a product, they typically need to buy equipment, software or supplies before they can fill the order or onboard a new customer,ā said Stephanie Hoskins, Lakelandās Herbert V. Kohler & Frank G. Jacobson Chair in Business and Entrepreneurship. āThis financial burden creates a barrier to getting to market.ā
The grant dollars are already at work. Student entrepreneur Max Wheeler, the creator of Platypus Puzzles, received an order for his puzzles and grant dollars were used to purchase the equipment and supplies needed to enable the production of puzzles.
Hoskins said the grant supports work at the Entrepreneurship Studio at Jake's, A Lakeland Community, in downtown Sheboygan, and complements efforts to feature upcoming student products in our Muskoās Campus Shop, Lakelandās official apparel store.
