Exploring Entrepreneurship in the Next Generation

On Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7, 2024, the Metropolitan College Department of Administrative Sciences hosted the second annual Boston University Symposium on Entrepreneurship & Technology. Titled “The Paradigm Shift: Exploring Entrepreneurship in the Next Generation,” the event gathered business leaders, academics, and students for what Department of Administrative Sciences Chair Irena Vodenska, in her introductory remarks, called “a platform to exchange ideas.”

An academic exploration of the evolving global landscape, papers, and presentations would touch on themes that include the transformative role of AI in entrepreneurship, enterprise management strategies, sustainable entrepreneurship, and empowering women in entrepreneurship, among others. With a high degree of international participation, there were a total of 56 abstracts submitted from 34 different institutions representing 11 countries—Canada, Greece, India, Iran, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the United States. Of the 45 papers accepted for presentations, 23 came from the Boston University community.As the event commenced, Professor Vodenska laid out the symposium’s three pillars: empowerment through knowledge, collaboration across disciplines, and commitment to impact. These values, she explained, reflect the degree programs within the Department of Administrative Sciences, which put on the event. “We’re preparing students, professionals, and innovators to be trailblazers who don’t just adapt to change, but drive it,” she said. “I challenge each of you to aim high, think big, and take bold steps forward. As entrepreneurs and technologists, you hold the power to create solutions that are not just for the present, but for generations to come.”

Read more about the panel and keynote speakers.


Exploring New Challenges in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship in Education

Hosted by the BU MET Department of Administrative Sciences, the inaugural Entrepreneurship & Technology Symposium was held December 1–2, bringing together academics, researchers, and experts in innovation to tackle its theme, “Exploring New Challenges in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship in Education.” With researchers hailing from more than a dozen countries on hand, and 23 research institutions represented, the global nature of the entrepreneurial space was in full view, as sessions focused on entrepreneurial development, entrepreneurial finance, innovation and technology, artificial intelligence and data analytics, entrepreneurial education, and globalization and marketing.

In her welcoming introduction to the proceedings, Administrative Sciences Chair Irena Vodenska said, “Innovation is like planting a seed–out of which we hope surprising beauty will come. Innovation is a driver of progress and an exciting journey of creating value out of thin air. Without innovation, there could not be entrepreneurship.” The rousing inaugural keynote address was given by distinguished Metropolitan College alum and vice chair of the Boston University Board of Trustees Cynthia Cohen. Cohen drove home how essential university-level research is to the ecosystem of business and innovation. As innovation hubs like blockchain and artificial intelligence rise in prominence, she explained, the viability of these enterprises is entirely predicated on the accuracy of the data that backs them. That is where the kinds of research presented at the symposium, with its theme, “Exploring New Challenges in Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship in Education,” come in. “The data you analyze, they need,” she said. In closing remarks, Associate Chair Marcus Goncalves added, “Let innovation be our guide and collaboration our compass. May the seeds of yesterday’s and today’s ideas blossom into tomorrow’s successes.”

After 38 fascinating presentations, one thing was made plain—the first year of the Entrepreneurship & Technology Symposium would not be the last.