Entrepreneurship at Notre Dame

Several resources are available to help nanotechnology researchers in South Bend explore entrepreneurial opportunities with potential business ventures. These resources include the Four Horsemen Entrepreneurial Program, the McCloskey Business Plan Competition of the Mendoza College of Business, Innovation Park at Notre Dame, and the City of South Bend.

Four Horsemen Entrepreneurial Program
The Four Horsemen Entrepreneurial Program in the College of Engineering is designed to help engineers learn about business start-up subjects. The program runs business plan competitions, conducts monthly informational meetings with successful technical entrepreneurs, and supports joint activities with other entrepreneurial activities on campus.

McCloskey Business Plan Competition
The Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship of the Mendoza College of Business conducts an annual business plan competition. The competition has three stages, with successful entrants receiving progressively more assistance, mentoring and coaching in developing their business plans. In addition, the McCloskey competition exposes fledgling businesses to potential sources of funding for launching their business. For more information, visit the Gigot Center website.

Innovation Park at Notre Dame
The mission of Innovation Park at Notre Dame is to facilitate the transformation of innovative ideas into viable marketplace ventures. To accomplish this mission, the Park convenes innovators throughout the Notre Dame community, including faculty, students, alumni and partners in the region and beyond. By bringing together the University's intellectual assets, world-class market expertise and access to early-stage capital, Innovation Park connects the key ingredients that are essential to successful commercialization outcomes. For more information, visit the Innovation Park website.

The City of South Bend, Indiana
Entrepreneurial ventures that get started using the on-campus programs will find a receptive welcome to grow their businesses in Northern Indiana. The City of South Bend has developed a technology park known as Ignition Park. This site, along with Innovation Park, form Indiana's first two-site state-certified technology park.