This paper outlines the experiences at the School of Engineering at the University of Dayton in implementing the Product Realization Process (PRP) in industry- sponsored capstone team design projects with an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, and developing business plans. Particular emphasis is placed on the incorporation of innovation and entrepreneurship since the Innovation Center was established four years ago. In 1996, we began using the PRP in engineering capstone courses with eleven projects from four companies. We now implement over eighty projects each year from approximately forty companies annually. The total number of companies that have sponsored projects is now over 100. Approximately thirty capstone projects per year are related to innovation and entrepreneurship and include elements of market studies, intellectual property investigations, cost estimating, manufacturing, and the development of a business plan. This paper will address the following:
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