The Emerging Minority Business Leaders (EMBL) Summer Institute is currently at West Liberty University until June 24, 2011.  This is the fourth year that WLU has hosted the two-week entrepreneurial program for students from across the country and internationally.

EMBL is currently funded through the Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency.  The goal of the summer institute is to provide students the opportunity to learn about technology innovation, entrepreneurship, starting a business and team building skills.

The EMBL summer institute is designed to work as an “entrepreneurial boot-camp”. Students work in teams with educators and business professionals as their facilitators. The students then build a business launch plan from a technology registered with the patent and trademark office.  At the conclusion of the institute, students compete for cash awards to help them start their business.  In addition, students who complete the program earn three undergraduate or graduate credits from WLU.

On Friday, June 24 from 8:30am-4:30pm, the students will present their technology innovation business launch plans in Kelly Theatre on WLU’s main campus.  The presentations are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

“EMBL has been a very successful business and entrepreneurial program for West Virginia technology innovation. We would love to get the community involved in some of these cutting edge ideas generated from our students.  Anyone interested in attending these presentations are welcome,” said Carrie White, Professor in the Gary E. West College of Business at WLU.

For more information please contact White, at 304-336-8159 or cwhite@westliberty.edu.