A student points to a page in a binder while seated at a table across from two men

Entrepreneurship

The School of Business builds entrepreneurial competency and an innovation mindset among KU students through academic and outreach programs.

The hub for student entrepreneurs

Whether students want to launch a new venture, already have their own venture, or just have an interest in entrepreneurship, the KU School of Business is the destination for students wanting to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Our entrepreneurship minor and certificate develop entrepreneurial competency and are open to KU students of every major.

Beyond the classroom, our co-curricular programs, such as The Catalyst, Jayhawk Consulting, and RedTire allow students to gain hands-on experience advancing their ventures, providing advising and consulting solutions to clients, and assisting retiring entrepreneurs in the Midwest with selling their businesses.

Entrepreneurship isn't limited to those with specific business ideas. It's a set of knowledge, skills and abilities that sparks innovation and inspires strategic thinking, transforming ideas into products or services that directly benefit society and our economy.

Three students walk on the sidewalk just west of Capitol Federal Hall

Startup Jayhawk

A celebration of entrepreneurship
Join the second annual Startup Jayhawk on March 22, 25–26.
Event lineup and registration



Academic programs

  • Certificate in entrepreneurship

    Open to all undergraduate KU students beginning fall 2023, the certificate includes coursework designed to build foundational entrepreneurship skills, as well as participation in entrepreneurship co-curricular activities.

  • Minor in entrepreneurship

    Open to all undergraduate KU students beginning fall 2023, the minor takes a deeper dive into developing entrepreneurial competency and strengthening your entrepreneurship knowledge.




Experiential learning and outreach

  • Jayhawk Consulting

    Jayhawk Consulting gives KU students the opportunity to gain hands-on learning while providing services to Kansas businesses. Working with a faculty advisor, students provide advisory and consulting services to clients from the Lawrence community and region.

  • The Catalyst

    The Catalyst encourages entrepreneurship through mentoring. It gives students the opportunities to work out ideas and business plans with input from industry mentors.

  • RedTire

    RedTire (Redefine your Retirement) is an economic development initiative designed to address the shuttering of viable small- and medium-sized Midwest businesses. As a program offering experiential learning opportunities to KU students, the service matches entrepreneurs with business owners looking to retire.

  • Entrepreneur-in-Residence

    Undergraduate and graduate KU students can gain skills and knowledge from an experienced entrepreneur to operationalize their new venture ideas, focusing on financial acumen and business modeling.

  • Boundless Creativity

    Open to all undergraduate and graduate KU students, this series led by the Innovator-in-Residence fosters creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking through weekly sessions.


Upcoming Entrepreneurship events


Entrepreneurship Team