GET INVOLVED
The Burgess Institute annually engages nearly one hundred alumni and friends to volunteer their time as a mentor, speaker, guest lecturer, and more.
SPEAK
The Burgess Institute welcomes alumni and friends to share their stories as industry experts, founders, executives, leaders, and/or investors.
If you're interested in being considered for a speaking opportunity, please submit an application.
MENTOR
The Burgess Institute is dedicated to providing an inclusive, diverse, supportive, and equal community of practice at Michigan State University. We welcome alumni and friends to leverage their professional experience, leadership, and social capital to guide aspiring student entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential.
To be considered for mentorship opportunities, apply today.
JUDGE
Every year we invite select alums and friends to serve as judges for the Burgess New Venture Challenge. Typically held in the spring, volunteer judges are asked to be on campus for a full-day commitment, during which they get to hear semifinalists student team pitch their respective ventures in private sessions. As honored guests, judges attend the semifinalist showcase, finalist pitches, and awards ceremony.
If you're interested in judging, apply now.
HOST
The Burgess Institute holds experiential learning opportunities as critically important for equipping students with the skills to be innovators and problem solvers.
If you're interested in hosting an on-site visit at your corporation, startup, incubator or accelerator with our students, please contact our team to explore.
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
Based on their industry knowledge, expertise and connections, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence provide student founders with a strong professional foundation, assist in preparing student businesses for market and drive excellence with one-on-one mentorship.
External Resource Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is a sounding board for the Institute’s leadership, ensuring that the Institute’s programs are responsive to the needs of our students, the market, and reflective of leading thinking and best practices for university entrepreneurship education programs.