"We Grow Entrepreneurial Scholars."
We are "a network of entrepreneurship scholars that supports the professional development of our members who create and disseminate knowledge."
So let's grow them!
What's the plan?
This PDW starts... NOW. Before AoM. By identifying promising research projects and help them to compete in NOT a "shark tank".
We invite researchers to pitch ideas and connect them with mentors/coaches in an iterative process where we all can watch them grow, with the 'finals' a celebration. Think the USA show "The Voice", only with research projects with scholarly and practical impact for growing entrepreneurs.
How does it work?
Junior scholars can submit project proposals to this PDW. We want to match selected participants with a Mentor Team: one world-class ecosystem scholar and one expert "Ecosystem Builder" and/or policy expert (e.g., from the ESHIP Alliance).
The Mentor team works with the junior scholars together to refine the research's "pitch" for both academic rigor and real-world relevance. Because unlike traditional "shark tank" formats, the goal here is not to eliminate, but to educate!
To do this, we need interested young scholars, a steering committee to make this rock, and we need mentors. (We are identifying practitioner and policy mentors too, so each team will have a scholar-mentor and an ecosystem builder-mentor and/or a policy mentor.)
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iRZsYyqhr55WaizU8
"Singers": If you have an idea for such a project, let us know. We definitely seek younger/newer scholars. Hoping for multi-institution teams, especially multi-national. (If you don't have a team, we might be able to play matchmaker.) We need 4 teams but can do more :) No existing "stars" but if you are, join the mentors or steering committee.
"Coaches": If you'd like to be a mentor, let me know. We promise to sing your praises.
Corrupt Record Label Execs Steering Committee: If you would like to be involved in planning/organizing/rescuing this effort, let me know ASAP. You get to help guide the process, find mentors, design the website for posting projects, and keep everything moving forward honorably and brilliantly.
Teams will pitch their idea, potential mentors will scan and find projects to coach, Every month or so, teams post an update that includes what you've learned and how you have pivoted. Teams will also provide developmental feedback to the other teams. Audience will get to comment too. Lather, rinse, repeat. Selected teams get to show off at AoM!
Let's DO this! (Or Norris will sing...)
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iRZsYyqhr55WaizU8
Your organizers,
Norris Krueger, Gabi Kaffka, and Suresh Kumar
Program entry: https://submit.aom.org/2026/ViewSubmission?subId=18476
Full proposal: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1phEqo9QODDRamfcIDQiYh_RfqRGyvYdG/view?usp=sharing
Norris