STEAM FORGE Location Opens in ECE Building

Arizona FORGE, which stands for Finding Opportunities and Resources to Grow Entrepreneurs, is the university’s entrepreneurial umbrella organization, offering specialized communities and locations statewide. FORGE and the college partnered to open a STEAM FORGE office in the ECE building in October 2022.

One of three campus FORGE locations, the office offers mentoring, programming and space for solo and group study. FORGE is open to students at any stage in an entrepreneurial journey, even those who might not realize they have permission to have ideas, said Paul Veldez, Student Venture Pathways program manager.

“Placing a FORGE office in the ECE building helps students see how to craft entrepreneurial versions of themselves,” he said.

Each student who accesses FORGE services can do so in the way that fits their needs, said Kelly King, entrepreneurial mindset development coordinator.

“They don’t have to launch anything. We are all entrepreneurial as we go about life,” she said. “If they do have an idea, we’re there to help them take the next step.”

ECE graduate student Raphael Lepercq has found engagement with FORGE helpful and is excited the new location is raising its profile for his fellow students. He believes that engineering students can benefit from business education and learning to be more risk tolerant.

Lepercq developed a product and business through the college's Interdisciplinary Capstone program and the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship New Venture Development Program.

“Engineers are told to make sure it 100% works and every avenue is covered. Entrepreneurship is very creative and adventurous,” he said.