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ACTiVATE students from left to right: Peggy Robinson, Meta Lankford '00, Vashti Green and Tonya Taylor '90.
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You have the idea. You have the drive.
So what separates the men from the boys, so to speak, when it comes to starting your own business? For five UMBC alumnae, the answer is simple: ACTiVATE.
“It’s a little scary to think about the risk of starting a business, but to me it’s more exciting to think about the future possibilities,” said Meta Lankford ’00, mechanical engineering, an aspiring tech-sportswear entrepreneur enrolled in the UMBC ACTiVATE program.
Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, ACTiVATE (Achieving the Commercialization of Technology in Ventures Through Applied Learning Training for Entrepreneurs) focuses on training female entrepreneurs interested in creating technology-based start-ups.
Although Maryland universities currently generate an average of 500 invention disclosures per year, only about 12 start-up businesses result. ACTiVATE aims to help women entrepreneurs bridge that gap, allowing them to “learn by doing.” Working in teams, trainees in the program spend a year researching potential opportunities, creating business plans and proposing methods of commercialization, all while meeting regularly with entrepreneur mentors for guidance, networking and support.
The hands-on approach attracted Tonya R. Taylor ’90, information systems management, Lankford’s partner in creating their potential business, Active Bodywear, which employs technology from NASA. Currently, she is CEO and president of Rising Star Ideas, LLC, a web content management system provider.
“I decided to participate in the program because I am a struggling entrepreneur,” she said. “Over the years I have tried to start various businesses, and I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to learn how to accomplish my endeavors a better way.”
In addition to Taylor and Lankford’s plan to create a sportswear line allowing for warmth or ventilation in extreme climates, three other UMBC alumnae are participating in ACTiVATE this year. Linda Burger ’86, information systems management, and Gloria Prettiman ’88, emergency health services, are working on applications of hyperspectral imaging technology. And Sharon Papciak ’91, Ph.D. biological sciences, plans to commercialize a technology that will help identify new drug candidates for a variety of diseases.
Sharing their prior work experiences, while working diligently to create thorough business plans, the women of ACTiVATE hope the training will put them one step ahead of the competition when launch time rolls around.
“This has been an incredible experience with all of the available resources and network of people to share their experiences and provide guidance in all aspects of a start-up,” said Lankford.
ACTiVATE is currently accepting applications for a year-long program, which begins in January 2006. Applicants should have a strong business or technical background. For more information about ACTiVATE, visit the program online at www.umbc.edu/activate, call 443-543-5594 or e-mail Barbara Breslau, program manager, at breslau@umbc.edu.
– Jenny O’Grady
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