ZELL LURIE INSTITUTE
MISSION AND PRIORITIES
The Zell Lurie Institute at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business aims to educate and inspire people to think and act in ways that create economic and social value
The Zell Lurie Institute (ZLI) hosts co-curricular programs and experiential learning opportunities that support undergraduate and graduate students from across campus, as well as alumni, who are interested in entrepreneurship and venture capital The institute’s top three priorities are to educate and train students and alums to start businesses, invest in businesses, and lead entrepreneurial organizations
Start a venture: discover how to ideate, validate ideas, launch a venture, plan for scale and growth, and gain transferable skills in any industry
Invest real dollars in real startups: think and act like an investor; learn how to source deals, evaluate startups, perform due diligence, negotiate with entrepreneurs, and gain deep industry expertise
Lead entrepreneurial organizations: learn innovative concepts to solve complex challenges, gain experience working within innovative companies and venture capital firms, and strengthen professional networks
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE YEAR
Start The annual Michigan Business Challenge, a University-wide and multi-round competition, guided participants through new venture creation, from writing business plans to pitching to judges The competition features three tracks: Seigle Impact Track for mission-driven businesses. Pryor-Hale Innovation Track for consumer or enterprise ventures. Pryor-Hale Invention Track for high-tech ventures with intellectual property. Last academic year, students refined their business plans and pitches, winning over $100,000 in cash prizes
Invest The Venture Capital Investment Competition is the world's largest venture capital competition with over 120 university and graduate teams globally Unlike typical pitch competitions, students act as investors while real entrepreneurs pitch to them Annually, the competition hosts 50+ events on four continents, involving over 1,500 students, 150 venture capitalists, and 100 entrepreneurs. Last year ’ s U-M undergraduate team won first place in the Undergraduate Midwest Regional Finals, hosted at Carnegie Mellon University.
Lead Every spring, students in the Zell Entrepreneurs program make an international trek to network with fellow entrepreneurs The 2023-2024 cohort traveled to Singapore, immersing themselves in the city's entrepreneurial ecosystem As a global hub for innovation, Singapore provided an unparalleled setting for learning about startups. The week concluded with a reflective lunch where students shared their takeaways, unanimously agreeing that the trip was a tremendous learning experience that encouraged them to think big and global in their entrepreneurial journeys.
2023–2024
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Approximately 750 students participated in ZLI programs.
180 alumni participated in ZLI programs as recipients of support.
16 of the 19 schools and colleges at U-M were represented in ZLI programs
Over 30 programs were offered for students and alums interested in entrepreneurship and venture capital
More than $1M was allocated to students and alumni
11 investments were made by ZLI student-led funds
THINKING AHEAD
WHY ZLI IS A TOP-RANKED PROGRAM
Generous Support from Donors: ZLI benefits from significant contributions, enabling it to award over $1 million annually to students and alumni
Knowledgeable Staff and Faculty: The expertise of its staff and faculty supports comprehensive programs focused on both launching ventures and investing in startups
Strong Support from Ross Leadership: Backing from Ross leadership fosters continual innovation and the development of new programs
University-Wide Engagement: Collaboration across the University’s top-ranked programs in various fields helps create robust interdisciplinary teams and provides valuable industry expertise
Robust Alumni Network: The extensive alumni network facilitates warm introductions for students to successful entrepreneurs and investors
SUPPORTING THE FUTURE
Internships, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000, provide essential funding for one internship, offering hands-on experience in the entrepreneurial field
The ZLI Entrepreneurship Challenge, with a funding requirement of $10,000, covers prize money, encouraging students to showcase their innovative ideas.
The Michigan Investment Challenge, requiring $15,000, supports both operations and prize money, enabling students to engage in investment-related activities.
The Product Innovation Program, with a funding need of $25,000, offers student stipends and the potential for naming rights, incentivizing students to develop innovative products
Intercollegiate Competitions, with a budget of $30,000 to $50,000, fund student travel to external competitions, and also offer naming rights opportunities
The Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition program, requiring $50,000 to $75,000, funds operations and student stipends, with the possibility of naming rights
The Startup Studio, with a funding range of $50,000 to $250,000, supports operations and student stipends, and offers naming rights, ensuring comprehensive support for students' startup endeavors
DONOR IMPACT
ZLI is entirely funded by the generous support of donors These contributions are crucial in supporting ZLI’s wide array of programs and initiatives, from internships and competitions to innovation and entrepreneurship education The institute remains deeply grateful for this commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
ZLI is an amazing resource for any student interested in venture capital or entrepreneurship. No idea is too big or too small; one mentor once told me to fail forward and ever since then I don’t see my failures as just that but as opportunities to grow, to change the way I think, and develop my brand
- Trinity Brown BBA ’24
CONTACT INFORMATION
ZLI Leadership: Gregg Latterman, Executive Director Clinical Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies
For more information, please contact us at: zlicontact@umich edu
