BACKGROUND OF THE IDAHO E-CENTER

While we were serving a mission at BYU Idaho Bob was asked by President Clark to grow the economy of Southeastern Idaho as a support to the growth of the university. The result is an off campus entrepreneurial center, Eastern Idaho Entrepreneurial Center or Idaho E-Center. Later he assisted in developing a student research center originally named The Southeastern Idaho Research Center (SIRI). These two centers have since come under a newly established Business Development and Research (BDR) Center.

Through these organizations student interns are trained to work with client businesses, determine their needs, do extensive research, then present their findings to the client, advising as needed. 

The interns, hired as jr. analysts for a venture capital company, under the direction of staff and faculty, are assigned projects for specific businesses and organizations which need help to grow. They then oversee a team of capstone students to assist in the research.

It all began 8 years ago in 2006 and we are still working at it. The program in Idaho has grown and been a blessing to both the businesses served and the students. This excellent internship opportunity, provided right in Rexburg has assisted economic growth, provided more jobs and opened the doors to great job opportunities for the student interns because of the rich practical experience it gives.  We now are working to give those same opportunities to students and businesses in Africa.

Gidianny & Kenny - The current interns working on the African E-Center Project