Click here to read the article on Techcrunch!
The above article covers the news that Stanford is going to
invest in student startups. When I first read this article I have to admit that
I was a little scared. What is a university doing investing in companies? Are
we just investments in the university as they wait to cash out on their return?
I’m still unsure of the implications of this move and its impact on the student
population.
Since so many Stanford students are starting their own
businesses, Stanford’s investments will definitely be beneficial to many
students. It only encourages the entrepreneurial spirit that pervades the
campus. Students will be even more encouraged to pursue their ideas and
passions. If a startup is their passion, that is.
Investing in Stanford startups serves to reinforce the image
of Stanford as money and industry-driven. We only continue to tiptoe that line
between university and industry. What about the humanities students? Startups
are definitely more typical of engineering students. Will a Classics major be
able to utilize this investment? Probably not.
I, like the article, also question Stanford’s motives. If
Stanford is willing to invest in these startups, wouldn’t VC firms be
interested as well? Does Stanford want more money even though it is
unnecessary? More press? I loved how we got to meet with the CFO, Robert
Livingston, the day after this news was released. He seemed quite excited about
it; I think he sees it as a way to give back to the students.
I also found it interesting that the former editor of the
Stanford Daily, Billy Gallagher wrote this article and how it was posted on
TechCrunch, a division of AOL, which supports StartX. The article does not seem
biased, but it is interesting to see how all these parts are connected.
Anyways, it will definitely be interesting to see how this will impact the
future.
-Kiki
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