Our Network
THE HMCEN MISSION AND EXPERIENCE
The Harvey Mudd College Entrepreneurial Network was formed in 2000 as a social network with the purpose of aiding HMC alumni, students, and other members of the HMC community with their entrepreneurial projects.
Since that time, the HMCEN has hosted a large number of regional meetings, bringing together Mudders with a common goal. Although most attending members are involved with startups, curious and interested alumni from all walks of life are invited and have actively participated in prior meetings. A selection of students interested in entrepreneurship are also invited to attend and in some cases their travel expenses are paid by the HMCEN. The regional meetings have been held by chapters formed in San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, Orange County/Los Angeles, and Seattle. In 2008, the HMCEN will attempt to establish a Santa Barbara chapter and is receptive to suggestions about meetings in other areas of the United States if a nucleus of interested alumni can be identified in any new region.
These meetings typically begin with an hour or so of sharing beverages and snacks while allowing members to mingle, meet, discover old friends, and share experiences about their companies and other entrepreneurial ventures. Then typically a Mudd entrepreneur involved in a startup will take the floor and spend about half an hour sharing his or her experience, often soliciting advice from others in the room. Finally a meal is served and the afternoon or evening winds down with more casual conversation. The HMCEN also hosts a bi-annual convention on campus that brings together interested alumni and other HMC community members from around the nation.
As of mid-2007 the HMCEN is being restructured, in alignment with the new HMC Strategic Vision, with the hope of expanding the resources made available to aspiring HMC entrepreneurs. At some point in the future the HMCEN envisions the possibility of a well-funded Entrepreneurial Support Center that will greattly expand the range of services offered by the HMCEN, possibly including helping with advice and resources for legal issues, IP protection, general management, sales, and funding.
The faculty sponsor of the HMCEN is Professor Gary Evans, the Ruth and Harvey Berry Professor of Entrepreneurial Leadership at Harvey Mudd College. Professor Evans works with Pat DiPaola from the Office of College Advancement at HMC. Questions about the HMCEN experience should be directed to Professor Evans or through Pat DiPaola at the contact information email address shown on this website.