Exploring Place-Based Pedagogy as Entrepreneurship Accelerator

This paper proposes a framework to create a small business and entrepreneurship accelerator designed based on prior work in evolving traditional place-based pedagogy to a more critical pedagogy of place. The case is crafted to utilize the built-in resources of a university as the core components in providing necessary resources for success, including expert-level technical assistance and a safe, empowering third space for collaboration. The included case focuses on a suburban/urban campus near several historically underserved geographies. This is important as the proposed framework for a small business and entrepreneurship accelerator focuses on educating and guiding local populations--including high school students--in growing their businesses. The case in this paper brings together university resources, local community elements, small business owners, social entrepreneurs, and high school students by activating a critical pedagogy of place rooted in improving economic conditions while addressing social issues.