Published: May 28, 1997

This summer, 44 students from the University of Colorado at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Center for Entrepreneurship – a joint program of the colleges of business and engineering – will work for some of the areaÂ’s most innovative companies.

Host companies for the 1997 summer internship program include American Coin Merchandising Inc., recently ranked No. 54 on Business Week magazineÂ’s list of 100 Hot Growth Companies for 1997. This ÐßÐßÊÓƵ-based company owns “skill-crane” machines that dispense items such as jewelry and stuffed animals. Business Week reports their annual sales are $38.3 million and earnings are $2.6 million.

Requisite Technology and Sterling Rice Marketing Group in ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, Greendeck Capital in Denver, Coral Systems in Longmont and Higa Industries – the Domino's Pizza licensee in Japan and Hawaii – are among the dozens of other companies that will host students.

Each student will be paid by their employer and receive a stipend from the Center for Entrepreneurship as a result of contributions from the Ewing Marion Kauffman FoundationÂ’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Inc., The Price Institute, and from C.J. Lett, Fred Chaney and Dick Burridge, members of the College of Business and Administration Advisory Board.

Denis Nock, director of the Center, said he is elated with the quality of host companies and the extraordinary intern opportunities they are providing students. “These internships represent a vital real-world component of CU-ÐßÐßÊÓƵ’s Entrepreneurship Program,” Nock said.

The 41 graduate and three undergraduates students who are taking part in the internship program will meet this summer as a class and share their experiences.