FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. &ndash This spring the University of Arkansas' Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will offer five virtual workshop series for students who are interested in the innovation process or who have ideas for new products, services, and businesses.  

Offered by experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and U of A faculty, the workshops may be attended individually or in groupings. They are designed with the needs of current students in mind but are free for all members of the U of A community, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni. 

Students may view the entire workshop schedule on the OEI website and register today. 

Pitch Camp (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 

In this interactive, three-part series, Permjot Valia (OEI Mentor in Residence) will break down the elements of language and storytelling to demonstrate the role they play in persuasion. 

This series will benefit those preparing to pitch for investment or other sources of funding. It is also relevant for anyone who wishes to enhance their communication skills to better deliver complicated messages or motivate and inspire others to action. 

Students who have conducted customer discovery or market research on an idea for a new product, service, or venture will have the opportunity to pitch for up to $2,000 in funding at OEI's Seed Fund Pitch Competition in Jan. 25 at 3 p.m.  

Students may apply to pitch by completing this form. 

Core Series (fast track on Tuesday; Standard on Thursday) 

In this four-part series, explore the foundational skills of innovation, drawing on human-centered design and lean startup methods. At the end of this series, you will better understand how to identify meaningful problems, conduct empathy maps and customer discovery, use prototyping and experimentation to improve a business model, and create a connection with any audience.  

Launch Lab Series (Tuesday)

The Launch Lab is intended for students who have an idea for a product or service and want to explore how to bring it to the market. 

New Venture Series (Thursday)

From choosing a structure to understanding how to measure return on investment in terms of both profit and impact, the New Venture Series is intended for founders and founders-to-be. 

Flying Solo Series (Tuesday) 

The Flying Solo Series is designed for those interested in building businesses with a single employee — yourself! If you are exploring the "solopreneur" path as an artist, contractor, freelancer or consultant, this series is for you. 

About the U of A Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation creates and curates innovation and entrepreneurship experiences for students across all disciplines. Through the Brewer Family Entrepreneurship Hub, McMillon Innovation Studio and Startup Village, OEI provides free workshops and programs — including social and corporate innovation design teams, venture internships, competitions and startup coaching. OEI also offers on-demand support for students who will be innovators within existing organizations and entrepreneurs who start something new.  

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.