New lab at South Dakota's Beacom School of Business features 3D equipment

The University of South Dakota's Beacom School of Business opened a lab this week featuring 3D printing equipment.

The Innovation Lab has Ultimaker 2 and MakerBot model 3D printers, a computer, computer-aided design software by SolidWorks, and a MakerBot Digitizer 3D scanner. 

According to Beacom Dean Venky Venkatachalam, the lab will enable student entrepreneurs the ability to rapidly develop prototypes for their ideas and also reduce the time it takes them to conduct market research.

In addition to opening the lab to prepare future entrepreneurs, the Beacom School of Business is also offering new academic programs in innovation and entrepreneurship. It launched its  Entrepreneur-in Residence (EIR) program just this week, which is aimed at encouraging the state's next-generation entrepreneurs through experiential learning opportunities and access to mentoring from top entrepreneurs. 

Among the entrepreneurs who will help students bring promising ideas to market are Ben Hanten, the founder of media and events company Think 29 that promotes entrepreneurship, and Sue Lancaster, who has helped launch research-derived innovations in markets such as agriculture and life sciences.

Beacom is the region's leader in business education and its programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Companies such as Princeton Review and the U.S. News & World Report have recognized Beacom for its high-quality learning experience, student success rate and affordability.