MEDIA RESOURCES

 

CONTACT: communications@mail.cox.smu.edu

DALLAS, Texas (SMU) - When Robert Motion began the SMU Cox MBA program in 2000, he focused his interests on the Cox School's entrepreneurship offerings. In his first semester alone, Motion co-founded the SMU Cox Entrepreneurship Club, organized the Cox School's first ever business plan competition, and began working with the Cox MBA Venture Fund committee.

"Bob Motion is a rare individual among MBA students interested in entrepreneurship," said Jerry White, director of the Caruth Institute for Owner-Managed Business. "He founded the current MBA Entrepreneurship Club along with Dan Lee. He spearheaded the creation of the MBA Business Plan Competition and led it through a second year with major improvements. He has made a significant contribution to the evolution of the Cox MBA Venture Fund by benchmarking the performance of university funds around the country and by participating in Fund Advisory Board meetings. I am hard pressed to think of another student in the last decade who has contributed to the Cox entrepreneurship experience as much as Bob has."

For two years, Motion, who graduated May 18, 2002, has exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit. When he learned of the Cox MBA Venture Fund, a venture program designed to provide funding for early stage companies, he approached White with the idea of student involvement. White invited him to participate as a non-voting member of the advisory board as well as to take the lead in a directive studies course.

Motion became involved in every aspect of the Venture Fund, from reviewing business plans to interviewing companies. He even encouraged the winners of the SMU Cox Business Plan Competition to apply for the Venture Fund. "I consider the business plan competition as an opportunity to plant a seed for the future of the Fund," Motion said.

For the directive studies course, Motion completed a thorough research of university venture funds across the U.S., examining their operating structures, determining which structures work best, and recommending a course of action for the Cox Venture Fund, a course that suggests an increase in efficiency by increasing student involvement. As a result of Motion's research, White considers him to be one of the most well-versed MBAs in university venture funds and plans to continue to involve Cox MBAs in the Cox Venture Fund.

Motion plans to continue to be involved in entrepreneurship. He's currently pursuing opportunities in private equity and venture capital, focusing on financing startups.

Motion's leadership and initiative opened many opportunities for him and Cox MBA students to follow. When Robert Motion walked across the stage in May, he not only graduated with his MBA but the knowledge that he created a legacy for the Cox MBA program.