Despite the flagging economy, the spirit of entrepreneurship is thriving at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. You can see it in burgeoning student businesses and competitions that display a wide variety of ideas, from iPhone apps to a Magic Bus spin-off to inventions that allow you to literally feel the music.

Students have submitted more than 1,000 pitches in the second annual contest bearing the same name. The MPowered Entrepreneurship student group surpassed the number of pitches submitted in last year's contest, collecting 2,165 pitches for this year's competition. Stay tuned to find out which ideas win in categories for iPhone apps, local business, global business, green campus, environment, social entrepreneurship, health, Michigan Matters and high tech.

About a dozen student-run businesses call the TechArb student business incubator home. After a highly successful start this past summer, the TechArb recently procured permananet support. In the new TechArb space downtown, young entrepreneurs will continue to share space, equipment and ideas. In addition, the new space will allow them access to Ann Arbor SPARK conference rooms and entrepreneurial activities. 

Entrepreneurship is an important part of the education at Michigan Engineering.