Entrepreneurship in Manhattan...And we're Not Talking about New York

Students have great options when it comes to entrepreneur programs in Kansas and Missouri. And Kansas State is one of them. 

For most students, summer has come to an end.  This week marked the first days of class for many colleges and universities across the Midwest.  For young entrepreneurial minds, the beginning of the semester is arguably the best time of the year.  It is a chance for a fresh start because it opens the door to limitless opportunities.  Right now, you can find bright, industrious minds all over campus actively pursuing various degrees.  But where do these students go when they want to turn their passions into entrepreneurial careers? 

They don’t have to go very far.  The University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), Kansas State University (K-State) and Rockhurst University all offer degree programs for students interested in entrepreneurship.  Students at the University of Kansas (KU) can also earn a Certificate of Entrepreneurship from the KU School of Business School.

Entrepreneurship programs are a growing trend among many top universities in the country.  K-State, located in Manhattan, Kansas, established its entrepreneurship program in 2009 as a reaction to the growing demand among students who wanted to pursue entrepreneurial careers.  This year, the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship recognized K-State with the 2011 Emerging Program Award.  An honor rightly deserved. 

K-State’s entrepreneurship program is growing fast.  “We are working on bridging the gap between the classroom by connecting our coursework with outside resources,” says Chad Jackson, Associate Director of Entrepreneurship at K-State.  K-State has already established a campus-wide business plan competition and a professional mentoring program.  The program is now in the process of creating a venture fund and business incubator to help make the entrepreneurial endeavors of K-State students a success.  

Students that have interest in social entrepreneurship would benefit from looking at K-State’s Entrepreneurship Program.  In the next few years, K-State is looking to focus its direction on social entrepreneurship and startup organizations.  It is put best by Jackson himself: “Social entrepreneurship is already a growing trend and it has the ability to make a huge impact on the world.”

It is wonderful to see so much growth in entrepreneurial education right here in the Midwest.  So whether you’re from Manhattan, New York or Manhattan, Kansas, one thing is for sure—a great idea can come from anywhere.

 Written by Laura Goede

@LauraGThinkBig

Headed Back to School? The Top 10 Universities for Entrepreneurship

Due to the surge in startup companies, many universities have developed the entrepreneurship degree.  Is this degree the right one for you?  And if so, where should you go to get it?

1.  University of Houston: The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship has been a leading program in the U.S. for the past several years. Over 1,800 students are engrossed in the entrepreneurship major or minor at this Texas school every semester. Continuous outside classroom experiences and opportunities are presented to the University of Houston entrepreneurship students, expanding their networks and connections. An average of 65% of students enrolled in this program have started a business in college or shortly after graduation.

2.  Baylor University: With a goal to assist local entrepreneurial efforts as well as national ventures, the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship has been thriving for decades. Baylor University was one of the first universities to implement an entrepreneurship program and it has proven to be a leader for the rest of the country. Extensive entrepreneurship programs are offered such as International Entrepreneurship Study Abroad, The Innovation Evaluation Program and Institute for Family Business.

3.  Brigham Young University: Ranking first in the country for the number of startups, licenses and patent application per research dollar spent, Brigham Young is a surprising powerhouse in the entrepreneurial field. This small Mormon school produces promising entrepreneurs while retaining a low tuition cost and several mentoring opportunities for the students.

4.  Babson College: Having the mindset and commitment to encourage innovation, this small east coast school has exceedingly done so, time and time again. Babson has been ranked as a top college, business school and a first class entrepreneurship program numerous times. The study of entrepreneurship is “a way of life” at Babson College.

5.  University of Southern California: A valuable asset to the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is the diverse and well-seasoned professors that encourage students to go above and beyond. With the ability to give students respectable exposure and resources, the entrepreneurship students are in good hands at USC.

6.  University of Missouri-Kansas City: UMKC's Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Bloch School of Management has not only won dozens of awards, but has produced many successful entrepreneurs and startup companies in the Midwest.  With various student ventures, mentor programs, seed funds, creative challenges, workshops, clubs, and entrepreneurial meet-ups, UMKC is a great resource for innovation and future success.  Not to mention, UMKC has the Kauffman Foundation located in its reach, allowing for even more dynamite resources. 

7.  Syracuse University: Syracuse University offers a diverse, yet critical set of entrepreneurial classes to students in addition to community business exposure. Those majoring in entrepreneurship learn every step of starting a business from creating a business plan to marketing invention designs to participating in pitch competitions.  Be sure to check out Syracuse's Student Start-Up Accelerator with various classes, seed capital, and vast incubator capabilities. 

8.  University of Notre Dame: Established a little over a decade ago, the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurial Studies has become a leader in developing young entrepreneurs. The goal of this school is to develop individuals aspiring to create for-profit ventures as well as help rebuild struggling businesses. The faculty is extremely credible, 90% being entrepreneurs themselves.

9.  Washington University in St. Louis: Trying to ignite a spark between the St. Louis entrepreneurial community and the students of this accredited school, Washington University’s main focus is on collaboration. The Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurship offers several free programs throughout the year to promote networking for both the community and the students. Washington University of St. Louis also offers many clubs for students to get involved in for all sorts of entrepreneurial pursuits.

10.  DePaul University: The entrepreneurship program at DePaul University attempts to give students real world experience so they can be “proficient in self-employment skills” and “live the dream.” The Coleman Entrepreneurship Program gives a competitive advantage to students by keeping close connections with alumni and the faculty with an entrepreneurial spirit. Centered in Chicago, undergrads majoring in entrepreneurship have eminent resources near them at all times.

These schools are the cream of the crop when it comes to entrepreneurship. With this being said, a successful entrepreneur does not necessarily have to attend one off this list, but the extra networking, knowledge and exposure can’t hurt!

Written by Genevieve Alander and Allison Way

@GennaThinkBig   @AllisonThinkBig