The Opportunity

The Delta’s next great companies start here.

EpicenterU is designed to connect university talent with the innovation ecosystem, including industry leaders, mentors, and community partners. Creating clearer paths to build and grow in the delta.

Get Involved!

Why EpicenterU Exists

Talent belongs in the Delta. Opportunity should, too.

EpicenterU connects students across the Delta with mentors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurial resources, transforming ideas into ventures. By bridging university learning with real world experience, it helps more emerging founders build, grow, and remain in the Delta.

What Is EpicenterU?

A students-to-startups pipeline built for the Delta.

How It Works?

One connected pipeline, built around real opportunity.

1. Explore in the classroom

Students explore real challenges in agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare while connecting with entrepreneurs, alumni, mentors, and business leaders.
2. Build through fellowship

In a two-year fellowship, selected students receive a $40,000 annual stipend and guidance from experienced Experts-in-Residence as they build.
3. Launch with the ecosystem

Students pitch to regional and national audiences, then access capital networks and connections through the Epicenter ecosystem.

Partner with EpicenterU

Why engage with us?

EpicenterU partners help emerging founders understand real industry challenges, develop stronger ideas, and build ventures with roots in the Delta.

Benefits of partnership

Bring your perspective to what comes next.

1
Help students explore what is possible

Share real-world business challenges and opportunities that give student founders a meaningful place to start.
2
Connect with emerging talent

Meet the students, founders, and future business leaders who will help shape the Delta.
3
Build the regional pipeline

Help shape a stronger pipeline of locally based ventures, future jobs, and regional innovators.

Ways to engage

Choose the level that works for you.

Tier 1

Insider

1-3 hours per semester

Speak to a class, join an alumni or industry panel, share a real-world challenge, or attend an EpicenterU networking mix.
Tier 2

Connector

3-6 hours per semester

Host students for a company visit or industry experience, or introduce them to your organization, team, or field.
Tier 3

Champion

1-2 hours per month, ongoing

Mentor an EpicenterU Fellow, explore serving as an Expert-in-Residence or advisor, and share strategic insight with emerging ventures.

Current Partners

Building the pipeline together.

EpicenterU is currently being developed through partnerships with universities that share a commitment to creating stronger paths from student talent to regional opportunity.