Wayne State University Announces Fifth Annual E2 Detroit Entrepreneurship Conference

Wayne State University Announces Fifth Annual E2 Detroit Entrepreneurship
Conference

Keynote speakers include Rick Inatome, Michigan computer pioneer, and Thomas
Murphy, former mayor of Pittsburgh

DETROIT, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wayne State University will host
the fifth annual E2 Detroit conference on Thursday, Oct. 15. Built upon the
foundation of entrepreneurship and excellence, E2 Detroit provides attendees
with the opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs. Business experts and
CEOs of start-ups will share their successes and challenges to provide "real
world" insight to entrepreneurs seeking practical knowledge.

Two keynote speakers will headline this year's event. Rick Inatome, Michigan
native, life-long entrepreneur and co-founder of two multi-million dollar
companies will talk about the tremendous opportunities available to businesses
during times of economic downturn. Inatome, who today is managing director of
Sterling Partners, a $4.2 billion private-equity fund with 34 portfolio
companies, is considered Michigan's first computer entrepreneur and has played
a key role in helping guide Michigan's business and education technology
infrastructure.

Tom Murphy, former mayor of Pittsburgh, guided the revitalization of
Pittsburgh by directing new investment into the city to refurbish
neighborhoods, build world-class facilities and boost the economy by
transitioning the city from heavy industrial to high technology and life
sciences.

E2 Detroit is focused on establishing Michigan as an enterprise hub and Wayne
State University as a premier training ground for entrepreneurship. Attendees
will gain knowledge to create start-up companies and generate new jobs. From
topics like, "Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship" to "Selecting the Right
Business Model," attendees will learn important information on timely issues
led by nationally and locally recognized leaders in the business development
community.

In addition, the event will host a competition for Wayne State students who
have an idea for starting a company. The E2 Detroit Elevator Pitch competition
will allow students to present 60 second elevator pitches to describe their
new company ideas. Students will be judged on their ability to present a
business case that appears feasible and profitable; is unique and creative;
and has a potential market niche and competitive advantage.

"In addition to giving our students an opportunity to pitch their business
ideas, E2 Detroit will help business entrepreneurs come up with new ideas to
revitalize their companies which is critical in these difficult economic
times," said Judy Johncox, director of business services at WSU. "Earlier
this summer, three major events called 'FastTrac to the Future' were held at
Wayne State University. They were highly successful; however, this event
differs in that the focus is on people who are already in business and seek to
grow their business by identifying new sources of funding, new high quality
staff as well as new technology that may be available through Wayne State
University's Technology Commercialization office."

Registration is now open. To learn more about E2 Detroit, visit
http://www.e2detroit.wayne.edu today.

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research
universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to
research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government,
industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic
growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of
Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at
Wayne State University, visit http://www.research.wayne.edu

SOURCE Wayne State University

Julie O'Connor, +1-313-577-8845, ag2712@wayne.edu