History

Founded in 1978, the MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and strengthening the way new technology-oriented companies get their start, and to providing information needed for them to grow and prosper. Membership is provided through a network of 24 chapters across the United States and in Toronto, Taiwan, Israel, Japan and the United Kingdom. Chapter Membership is open to all - MIT graduates and non-graduates - and attracts local executives, business leaders, venture capitalists, industry experts, and service organizations, as well as newly emerging entrepreneurs with technology business expectations.

Forum Programs

The chapters arrange their own events locally. Some of these programs include:

• Professional Seminars
• Startup Clinics
• Case Presentations
• Business Plan Workshops

Forum chapters offer advice, support and educational services for emerging technology-based companies.

Networking Opportunities

One of the most valuable features of Enterprise Forum activities is the opportunity to network with a variety of business professionals including:

• Venture Capitalists
• Private Investors
• Industry Experts
• Other Successful Entrepreneurs
• Service Providers

MIT Enterprise Forum Timeline

1978

The MIT Alumni/ae Associations launches a new initiative - the MIT Enterprise Forum - on basic entrepreneurship, based on widely successful programs in Boston and New York. The first 2 cases presented are the ECD Corporation and Port Industries

1981

The Washington-Baltimore chapter is established.

1982

The Start Up Clinic program is launched in Cambridge.

1983

Chicago chapter founded.

1984

CalTech, Seattle and Texas (Houston) chapters are formed.
Popularity of the case presentations in Cambridge grows so large, they are moved to the MIT classroom known by its building and room number, 10-250, and re-branded as such.

1985

"Business Plans That Win $$$s: Lessons From the MIT Enterprise Forum" is published.
Mexico and San Diego chapters are established.
The MIT Alumni/ae Association creates the Global Office of the MIT Enterprise Forum to help run the organization and its chapters.

1986

Chapters are formed in Connecticut and Dallas-Fort Worth.

1987

Central Coast (Santa Barbara, CA) and Pittsburgh join the ranks.

1988

The MIT Enterprise Forum opens a chapter in Toronto.

1990

The Cambridge chapter hosts the final awards ceremony for the MIT $10K (now $50K) Business Plan Competition.
The Bay Area chapter is formed at Stanford.

1991

The MIT Enterprise Forum of Oregon is established.

1993

For the first time, the Enterprise Forum spans an ocean as the Israel chapter is founded.

1994

Taiwan becomes home to an Enterprise Forum chapter.

1996

The Global Office holds its first Satellite Broadcast program, featuring Tim Berners-Lee.

1998

New Hampshire opens its doors as a chapter for the Enterprise Forum.

1999

Texas adds its third chapter with the opening of the MIT Enterprise Forum of Austin.

2000

Two chapters join the fold: Atlanta and Japan.

2001

Great Lakes (Detroit) and Switzerland become the latest chapters to open.

2003

Expansion and consolidation as South Florida becomes the newest Enterprise Forum chapter, while the Mexico and Switzerland chapters are dissolved, and the Oregon chapter spins off as its own entity.

2004

The Global Office begins offering their broadcast programs via both satellite and Web cast.

2005

The MIT Enterprise Forum of the United Kingdom and the MIT Enterprise Forum of the Pan-Arab Region (Lebanon) are launched.

2006

The MIT Enterprise Forum Global mailing list is established, allowing anyone around the world to become more connected to the organization. Podcasts of our Global Broadcasts are available for the first time.