The Fermanian Business Center at Point Loma Nazarene University announced March 8 creation of the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program.

The program, which will be funded by an endowment created at the San Diego-based university, is designed to boost communications between students and San Diego industry leaders, entrepreneurs and financiers. The center plans to host and manage the EEP, helping students create their entrepreneurial business models.

“We believe that successful entrepreneurs are often the ones able to leverage good business planning and conception, while simultaneously having solid personal and professional relationships,” said Randy M. Ataide, director of the Fermanian Business Center and the EEP adviser. “The EEP recognizes that the ultimate value in these programs is not always obtaining venture funding in a ‘winner takes all format,’ but rather the enhancement of relationships that will sustain the enterprise for the long term.”

Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, the program is receiving applications until April 15. During the fall semester, students will work on their projects, present them at an exposition, and submit them to a review committee in the spring of 2008.

The EEP will wind up every year with an annual banquet, where students and their business advisory teams will be recognized for their joint efforts.

For more information on the program, contact Randy Ataide at (619) 849-2563 or rataide1@pointloma.edu. Alternately, people may contact Cathy Gallagher at (619) 849-2564 or cgallagh@pointloma.edu.

— Pat Broderick