Scienties as Entrepreneurs

Scientists as Entrepreneurs Conference

The main purpose of this workshop was to familiarize the Bridge-to-the-Doctorate Fellows with the nature of entrepreneurship. Sixty eight graduate students, including BDP Fellows, attended the workshop where two successful local entrepreneurs explained the nature of entrepreneurship, the skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico, and how entrepreneurs contribute to the economic development of Puerto Rico. The two speakers were Dr. Manuel Figueroa and Mr. Luis Romero. Dr. Figueroa is the President of Virtual Educational Resources, Inc. (VERNET), a software development and ISP company located in Puerto Rico. Under his leadership the company grew from no revenues to $3M in two years while maintaining profitability. It is now the leading educational software development company in Latin America. Mr. Romero is the President of Optivon, Inc., a telecommunications company that exports its systems to Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

At the 2006 PR-LSAMP Advisory Board meeting, members had the opportunity to meet with a group of BDP Fellows, and were surprised that not one of them expressed an interest in becoming an entrepreneur. Following the Advisory Board’s recommendation, PR-LSAMP offered the workshop “Scientists as Entrepreneurs”, to expose BDP Fellows to successful entrepreneurs. Two local entrepreneurs were the main speakers: Dr. Manuel Figueroa, President, Virtual Educational Resources, Inc. (VERNET), a software development and ISP company located in Puerto Rico. Under his leadership the company grew from no revenues to $3M in two years while maintaining profitability. It is now the leading educational software development company in Latin America. The second speaker was Mr. Luis Romero, President of Optivon, Inc., a telecommunications company, that exports its systems to Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. They both explained the nature of entrepreneurship, the skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico, and how entrepreneurs contribute to the economic development of Puerto Rico. They described their life experiences as successful entrepreneurs and then interacted informally with the students.

Dr. Manuel Figueroa’s presentation

Mr. Luis Romero’s presentation

Photos of the activity

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