An innovative idea from Dave Askaripour from MindPetals to build an entrepreneurship university on SecondLife...and create a real business partnership to make it happen...

In light of this Second Life phenomena and the ever-increasing army of young entrepreneurs popping up all over the globe, I see a golden opportunity to unite the two elements. Something like this has never been done or attempted before.

I am proposing to build an actual Entrepreneurship University on Second Life. A university that would be on a private island built out of beautiful modern glass and steel, 6 stories high, with an auditorium, low rises, surrounded by a natural landscape with a beautiful park, a plaza for events and entrepreneurial gatherings.

The school would be fully equipped with teaching equipment: large screen TVs, projectors, whiteboards, light furnishings, halls, seats, etc…

You may be scratching your head at this point, but the best way to think about it is to image walking into a real university, sitting with a small class of 10 other young entrepreneurs, and learning from a professor who is a real entrepreneur. Imagine all of that, but now imagine doing it all online in virtual setting.

Did you ever take an online course from your college? If you have, you know how boring, non-interactive, and plain they are. Most students take online classes so they can watch TV, talk on the phone, and occasionally chime in on what’s happening on the screen.

That will be changed by providing a “virtual” online class. In a “virtual” classroom setting. Not just a computer screen.

Here are some ways that we can run the classes:

- stream live video across projectors
- use live audio to lecture class
- pull RSS content onto virtual blackboard
- dynamically type notes onto the blackboard
- upload notes, diagrams, charts, etc…

An online university focused on young entrepreneurship in a real life setting – never been done. I am seeking 3 (4 max) entrepreneurs to come on board as equal partners and help make this a reality. I can’t do this alone and I am, naturally, seeking the help of my closet young entrepreneur friends.

More than money, I am seeking to build a team of young entrepreneurs who have a real desire to make great strides in the world of young entrepreneurship and to help young entrepreneurs learn. Though a small financial investment will be required, I’m looking for hungry, passionate, and motivated young entrepreneurs to help me make this a reality. When this takes off, of course, revenue will be made and profits will be shared. We can do both “good” and “well” with such a university helping young entrepreneurs.

Here is the commitment I am seeking [12 month minimum]:

1.) $1360 - $1700 [university construction, land deposit, landscape design, website construction]

2.) $80 - $100 [per month to cover the lease for the land and to maintain the property]

3.) Help build, market, and maintain the university curriculum [courses, classes, lectures, speeches, etc..]

4.) Commit to teaching a determined number of courses per month

After the 12 months, we [the partners] will have the option to purchase the entire island for $1850 USD from a real estate developer the university will be renting from. From the start, we [the partners] will own all construction on land [university, park, landscape, etc..] The landowner and the university, both, may not sell the island for at least 12 months – we’d be locked in. We would have exclusive rights to purchase the property at the end of the lease.

Of course there are many more variables to discuss, such as courses, how much to charge per course, business models, ROI, and finding people to help teach the classes.

This letter was meant to see how many people would be interested in being a part of such an opportunity. If you are and would like to speak further about making this happen or have any ideas of your own that you can bring to the table, please contact me. The risk here is small, but the opportunity is so great!

To Our Success,
Dave
david[at]mindpetals.com