Entrepreneurship Immersion Week, a student-focused event based on learning, networking and friendly competition, will be held at Baldwin-Wallace College Aug. 8-13.

Julie Messing, director of the Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, said each year EIW is held by one of the nine schools in the Entrepreneurship Education Consortium. This year, eight schools are participating with each school sending five students as participants.

“Our common factor is the students,” Messing said.

During EIW, students attend seminars and have the opportunity to talk to successful people they wouldn’t normally meet. They also work in teams to create a business idea and proposal. The winning team receives a cash prize as well as one free year of business space to make their ideas a reality, Messing said.

The Burton D. Morgan Foundation sponsors the event, allowing students to attend free of charge.

Senior advertising major Brianne Kimmel attended last year’s EIW and said that while the week is pretty intense, she learned a lot of useful information. She said she particularly liked talking to professors from other schools and learning about the business resources that northeast Ohio has to offer.

“(EIW) gives you an appreciation for everything that goes into starting a business,” Kimmel said.

Senior marketing major Danny Butler plans to attend EIW this year. He hopes to someday start his own business and wants to learn about the tools he will need to succeed.

“I hope to take away viable experience and knowledge that I don’t have now,” Butler said.

Junior attendee Chris Lintner is double majoring in entrepreneurship and managerial marketing. He is currently the CEO of Laundry in a Flash, a student-run business in Kent .

“I’m excited to meet with new people and work on ideas we haven’t even thought of yet,” Lintner said.

Senior entrepreneurship major Pat Welsh said he has a few ideas for the competition, but Lintner and Butler say they are going into it with an open mind. All three say they hope for first place this year.

“Whether it’s first or last, I think we’ll come away with a great idea,” Lintner said.

Contact business reporter Helene Miller at [email protected].