VOLUME 12, NO. 2     JANUARY 1999

Update on Entrepreneurs Collaborative

iran Apelian, WPI's Howmet Professor of Engineering, is the new director of the University's Entrepreneurs Collaborative. Founded in 1994 by former University Relations Vice President Donald F. Berth '57 and management Professor Arthur Gerstenfeld, the collaborative was designed to focus on scientific and technological entrepreneurship.

Apelian's vision for the Entrepreneurs Collaborative includes organizing a cohesive course on entrepreneurship; focusing on the Major Qualifying Project and opening up opportunities for start-up companies for students; developing a plan for students to obtain capital to start companies; and nurturing the Entrepreneur-in-Residence program.

Marketing executive Robin Bruhjell Brass is this year's Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Brass, who taught an entrepreneurship seminar in B-Term, is the owner of Creative Financial Services, a Washington, Conn.-based company with offices in New York and Florida. She lectures frequently on such leadership topics as "Starting Your Own Business" and "Creating a Business Plan That Will Get Read and Used," sits on the board of several businesses, and chairs the board of the Sponsor a Future Leader Foundation.