The University of Utah has announced a major new program to support its alumni interested in entrepreneurship. The program, Lassonde for Life, is open to all alumni of the university, from every department and major, who want to start or grow a business, a school release said. It is provided by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, a division of the David Eccles School of Business, in partnership with the university’s Office of Alumni Relations and the PIVOT Center, a university office dedicated to innovation and economic development.
“This is a first-of-a-kind program to support all of our graduates who have a business idea or imagine starting one sometime in the future,” said Troy D’Ambrosio, executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and an assistant dean at the Eccles School. “We want to help them all become entrepreneurs and follow their dreams, while also helping each other through workshops, mentoring and other resources.”
University of Utah alumni can participate in the program for free and from anywhere in the world. The program will be offered mostly online to make it as accessible as possible. Alumni can get involved at any time. The program is expected to keep alumni engaged and attract new students to the university who want more than a degree. Information about the program is available at https://lassonde.utah.edu/life.
“We are excited to offer Lassonde for Life to our estimated 300,000 alumni across the world,” said Kris Bosman, the chief alumni relations officer for the University of Utah. “We know many of our alumni have business ideas, and this is their chance to launch them. We hope to help them find success through this program; Lassonde for Life will give them the support and encouragement they need.”