The Times-Independent

Local student accepted into Lassonde Institute


Aerial photo of the University of Utah, which houses the Lassonde Institute. Photo by Parker Gibbons on Unsplash

Sean McKay of Moab has been accepted into the inaugural group of Lassonde Founders for the 2020-21 academic year.

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute — a top-10 ranked division of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah — welcomed the inaugural group of 31 students and two student directors as they moved into Lassonde Studios in August for the fall 2020 semester.

“We’re excited to have these exceptional students join us this year as we launch this new program to support young entrepreneurs who want to spend their time at the university to grow a business idea, or maybe several, and learn how to launch a company,” said Troy D’Ambrosio, executive director of the institute and an assistant dean at the Eccles School.

The students admitted into the program applied by explaining their business idea and why they wanted to learn about entrepreneurship. In the program, they will receive a scholarship to live at Lassonde Studios, a nationally recognized innovation center and dorm. They will also receive extensive support for their startup ideas from the institute and the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy at the Eccles School.

McKay and the other Lassonde Founders get the opportunity to live with other serious entrepreneurs so they can learn from each other. They will join entrepreneurship classes and complete a three-course academic program. They will also have access to grants, workshops, mentor opportunities, makerspace, and much more provided by the institute.

“We designed the Lassonde Founders program to provide everything a student entrepreneur would need to succeed and have a life-changing experience,” D’Ambrosio said.