STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Sociological research on academic entrepreneurship is relatively new and existing literature is limited in scope, focusing only on formal ventures, particularly technology startups. This research project aims to address this gap by investigating student entrepreneurs and university based startups. The dissertation project utilizes iterative long-term data collection, semi-structured interviews, online survey, and descriptive quantitative analysis. The study aims to be the first to provide an in depth sociological examination of entrepreneurship on the university campus at Cornell University, providing deep evidence that the university is taking on a role that incorporates startup execution beyond encouraging and accommodating innovation: a result of the connection between university and student entrepreneurs in an iterative, symbiotic relationship. This project captures an R1 university in its transition into an entrepreneurship generator. The project addresses both the institutional and student aspect of the narrative in rich detail.