Mission
The Alabama Green Entrepreneurial Internship Program (EIP) consists of teams of high school and undergraduate students paired with expert mentors, each aiming to develop a sustainable, eco-friendly product or process tied to Alabama’s economic growth. The goal has been to spur new business creation in Hale County, Ala. and the Black Belt region of West Alabama. The EIP student interns are offered the opportunity to gain unique entrepreneurial skills by working with faculty at the University of Alabama, industry CEOs, leaders from the private sector, as well as entrepreneurs from a broad spectrum of companies in Alabama. The first program series was held in 2012 and has developed to include community members and adult students. Skills aquired include brainstorming ideas for innovative and emerging technologies, products, processes and design; writing business or social plans; marketing materials and promoting ideas; obtaining funding; registering with governmental agencies; filing DBA paperwork; learning about insurance, taxes; creating websites, interacting with the business community; developing marketing materials, selling products; and launching a company. Students also apply theory learned in their classes, including basic science, design, engineering, and business basics.