Empowering Innovation: PVAMU debuts Blackstone LaunchPad to support next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals

PRAIRIE VIEW , Texas (Feb. 15, 2024) – On Feb. 12, Prairie View A&M University hosted a groundbreaking event to inaugurate the Blackstone LaunchPad on campus, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students and faculty. The event was the culmination of a $10 million commitment across Texas dedicated to entrepreneur success and economic mobility. “We believe joining the prestigious Blackstone LaunchPad program will greatly aid in strengthening the ecosystem and culture of entrepreneurship on the PVAMU campus,” said Dr. Munir Quddus, dean of the PVAMU College of Business. “These resources and partnerships will help our students receive national exposure and strengthen their own education and business ideas.” The Blackstone LaunchPad initiative, spearheaded by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, has been instrumental in supporting entrepreneurship education and experiential learning on college and university campuses since its inception in 2010. The program currently serves more than 70 universities across the country, including 43 minority-serving institutions. With a current focus on HBCUs, the program empowers students with entrepreneurial skills and career-building opportunities, including internships with Blackstone, its portfolio companies and select start-ups. LaunchPad at PVAMU PVAMU’s commitment to innovation and student success is reflected in its partnership with Blackstone LaunchPad, further bolstered by a $500,000 grant to enhance entrepreneurial initiatives on campus. Held at the Ernest Boyd & Floretta Brown Collins Auditorium, the LaunchPad kickoff event featured distinguished speakers, including Philip Bouchard, director of PVAMU’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Maura Pally, executive director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation; PVAMU President Dr. Tomikia P. LeGrande; Interim Provost Dr. Michael L. McFrazier; Dr. Quddus; and PVAMU Program Coordinator Brandy Walker. “Since Blackstone, the parent company of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, is among the world’s largest financial organizations, this association lends prestige to our entrepreneurship program,” said Quddus. “Because of PVAMU’s membership in LaunchPad, PVAMU students minoring in entrepreneurship and others will have opportunities to participate with students from other LaunchPad member institutions to receive additional training and education and participate in competitions to sharpen their thinking and ideas.” LaunchPad’s impact extends beyond traditional entrepreneurship programs, providing students with workshops, speakers, professional networking opportunities, and access to internships that foster innovation and career readiness. By equipping students with essential skills such as a growth mindset, creativity, critical thinking and leadership, LaunchPad aims to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals. “What the Blackstone Charitable Foundation is providing to our next generation of community and business leaders is truly remarkable,” said President LeGrande. “With the LaunchPad program at Prairie View A&M University, our talented students can develop an entrepreneurial mindset and access key resources that will improve their career outcomes.” Launching HBCU Entrepreneurs PVAMU’s collaboration with Blackstone LaunchPad underscores its commitment to cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus and fostering economic growth in the region. As the program continues to expand its reach across Texas, it serves as a catalyst for innovation and opportunity, shaping the future of entrepreneurship education and experiential learning. “Blackstone Foundation is calling this project an attempt to reduce the ‘opportunity gap’ that exists for young college students from underserved minorities,” said Quddus. “Entrepreneurship is a time-tested path of income and wealth building.” The kickoff event for the Blackstone LaunchPad at PVAMU represented a pivotal moment in the University’s journey toward fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and student success. With a $10 million commitment to Texas higher education institutions, Blackstone LaunchPad is poised to make a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering students to turn their ideas into reality and drive positive change in their communities. “Every student should have access to a place to cultivate ideas, develop skills and access job opportunities,” said Pally. “Our goal is for all students who engage with Blackstone LaunchPad to be able to access quality job opportunities, expand their network and develop skills that will set them up for success in any career they pursue. We’re thrilled to have reached this $10 million commitment in Texas – programs like LaunchPad that train and develop all students will help keep Texas talent local and Texas companies strong.” A History of Developing Business Leaders Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, a global nonprofit organization helping business schools create innovative leaders, the PVAMU College of Business seeks to develop students who will have a “societal impact” in the global economy. “The COB students and those across the campus have a keen interest in entrepreneurship and becoming business owners one day,” said Quddus. “We have many alumni who have started their own businesses, and many have done well.” PVAMU has a rich history of developing entrepreneurs who bring value, energy and innovation to the market. LaunchPad is a continuation of the long-standing efforts to pour panther prowess into business communities across the globe. “The COB offers a six-course minor in entrepreneurship available to any student on campus,” said Quddus. “Every semester, a number of engineering students, among others, enroll in courses in entrepreneurship. We also have a student club dedicated to young entrepreneurship. A number of our professors are entrepreneurs with real-world experience running their own businesses.” The PVAMU College of Business has been an accredited member of AACSB since 2006, hosting and supporting the on-campus Small Business Development Center for Waller and Grimes counties. Now, Blackstone LaunchPad promises to rocket the program into new, exciting opportunities. “The broader goal and vision of the College are to host one of the top-ranked entrepreneurship programs among HBCU institutions and among all universities in the nation,” said Quddus. “The COB has recently received a one-million-dollar grant from Title III grants to build up our Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” The sizeable grant allowed the College of Business to hire a new, full-time director. Bouchard has a long history as an entrepreneur, hailing from Silicon Valley. Assisting Bouchard in the endeavor is PVAMU Program Coordinator and Alumna Walker. “A number of faculty members in the College of Business are interested in teaching entrepreneurship and conducting research on the subject,” said Quddus. “We also have a number of professors who have experience as entrepreneurs and as business leaders and professionals. They will benefit from the training the LaunchPad program has for faculty members. “We certainly anticipate our faculty members will serve as mentors and guides for students as they graduate from studying entrepreneurship to actually becoming real-world entrepreneurs launching their own start-ups and companies.” The evolution of the Blackstone LaunchPad program at PVAMU promises long-term impacts on the University community and beyond, transforming student and faculty aspirations of owning a company into real-world endeavors. “In the short run, we believe by joining a select group of other colleges and universities, we will gain prestige, visibility, and resources to strengthen our courses and programs,” said Quddus. “In the long run, this will help us attain our vision, which is to develop one of the top-ranked entrepreneurship programs among HBCUs and in the nation. Proximity to Houston provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our ecosystem and education in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Blackstone LaunchPad program provides us with the resources to do so.” By Kerry Laird -PVAMU-