蘑菇视频

Launch Fund Nexus features student-startup-industry trios, each working on a collaborative project that helps move a startup forward. Unlike a traditional internship, where students may contribute to various tasks, Nexus trios focus on a single, well-defined collaborative project.

**This is just one way students can connect with startups and other partners across the 蘑菇视频. See related programs here!**

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Students

It all starts with you! You can .***

• Give: Their time and expertise on the project. Expectations:
  • Commit to the collaboratively decided upon meeting schedule and asynchronous project time (as will be defined in the joint application)
  • Exercise professional workplace conduct
  • Treat any confidential material properly
• Get:
  • Mentoring from the startup
  • Experience growing skills and applying them
  • Exposure and network connections to two different workplaces
  • Monetary award (if selected; approximately $2,000, after a successful mid-point check-in)

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Startups

USM-affiliated startups can .**

• Give: Their time to manage the project and mentor the student. Expectations:
  • Provide a warm, welcoming environment for the student.听Exercise professional workplace conduct.
  • Treat any confidential material properly
  • Make time for the collaborative project (as defined in the joint application)
  • Make time for additional mentoring (as defined in the joint application)
• Get:
  • To “own” the project, which will help move their venture forward
  • Connected to a student as a potential future hire
  • Connected to the industry partner as a potential future partner, service provider/supplier, or client.

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Industry Partners |

• Give: Their time and expertise on the project. Expectations:
  • Commit to 15 hours of pro bono advising on the project, which can be split among more than one employee
  • Exercise professional workplace conduct
  • Treat any confidential material properly
• Get:
  • Connected to a student as a potential hire
  • Connected to a startup as a future potential partner, service provider/supplier, or client
  • Exposure to entrepreneurial activity
  • Opportunity for visibility to the entire Nexus community by providing an educational session

Additionally, Launch Fund Nexus includes training and capacity-building, with workshops on innovation topics and project management that are accessible to students, entrepreneurs, and industry mentors alike. These virtual trainings will be led by startups, industry experts, and university personnel.

**We recognize that students may have their own startups. And startups may be interested in being an industry partner. Applicants may apply from more than one perspective (e.g., as a student and as a startup founder). However, for any project receiving student funding, individuals or organizations may only participate in one role鈥攕tudent, startup, or industry partner. For example, a student with their own venture cannot be funded to work on that venture, and a startup cannot also serve as the industry partner on the same project.

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Example Timeline

• October听– Students Submit Interest Form
• November – Due Date for Joint Applications from students and startups
• December听– Additional time for Industry Partner recruitment
• January听– Virtual Kickoff
• February听– Virtual Midpoint
• April/May听– Closing Event (virtual or hybrid)