FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MICHAEL J. LENOX
... THE i.LAB PROVIDES A BOG WHERE CREATIVITY BUBBLES UP FROM THE IMPASSIONED EXCHANGE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INDIVIDUALS.” - W. L. Lyons Brown III
At the Batten Institute, we have long operated under the hypothesis that students learn best when exposed to diverse individuals with unique backgrounds and expertise. The most promising entrepreneurial ventures and innovative ideas often emerge from multidisciplinary efforts combining a creative vision with business acumen and technological expertise. In 2008, we partnered with the Office of the Vice President for Research to create the U.Va. Entrepreneurship Cup — a pan-University concept competition involving students across Grounds and across the schools of the University. In 2009, we held our inaugural E-Conference, creating an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout the University and Charlottesville community to learn more about entrepreneurship and innovation and to network with one another. In 2012, we established the iDEA network, creating a network of city-based affinity groups linking alumni, students and innovators, to Charlottesville and beyond. This past year, we took perhaps our greatest step towards executing on our vision to help foster a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University and in Charlottesville by creating a space where businesspeople, engineers, scientists, inventors and designers could gather to pursue their entrepreneurial passions. Through the generous gift of W. L. Lyons Brown III (Col ’82, MBA ’87) and the numerous donors that he helped rally to the cause, we were able to significantly expand the physical plant and operating scope of our Innovation Lab, renamed the W. L. Lyons Brown III i.Lab. In partnership with U.Va. Innovation and the 11 schools of the University, and under the direction of Philippe Sommer, the i.Lab provides opportunities for coaching, course work and incubation for those interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. We have opened our Incubator to the entire University and Charlottesville community. Twenty-four ventures founded by students, faculty, staff, alumni and Charlottesville community members convened in June to form the first incubator class under the tutelage of new Incubator director, Kathy Carr. Lyons said it best at our gala opening in April that the i.Lab provides a bog where creativity bubbles up from the impassioned exchange of entrepreneurial individuals. While the renovation and expansion of the i.Lab consumed much of our entrepreneurial energy during the past 12 months, we continued to execute our established and well-regarded programs. In July, 22 Darden students completed internships at entrepreneurial ventures with support from the Batten Venture Internship Program. In August, 14 students (seven Second Years and seven First Years) matriculated as Batten Scholars, enjoying full-ride scholarships to Darden to help them pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. In October, more than 150 student ventures competed in the U.Va. Entrepreneurship Cup. In November, we convened the fourth annual E-Conference, hosting more than
2 | ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13