September 13, 2016

Welcome to the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, the first freestanding school of entrepreneurship in the United States! Our home city, Philadelphia, has become a blossoming hub for entrepreneurship, with many of our students and professors proudly developing numerous innovative ventures happening around the region.

The Close School is home to many unique opportunities that'll help you stand out from the rest. During your time here, you'll learn about entrepreneurship and an ever-evolving market through workshops, programs, and experiential learning.

ELLC

The transition into university life can challenge even the most mature freshmen. The Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community (ELLC) hosts around twenty full-time freshmen majoring in entrepreneurship and offers support and encouragement as they adjust. This close-knit community experiences and explores the Philadelphia region's innovation ecosystem through field trips, guest lectures, and workshops as the students develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

Involvement

In addition to an enriching academic experience, the Close School offers many opportunities for developing entrepreneurs. Students can attend several workshops and co-curricular programs specifically designed for student entrepreneurs honing their ideas and creating a startup.

Our most prominent event, Startup Day, gives students the opportunity to share their ideas in 60 sec. fast pitches or compete in the annual Baiada Institute Business Plan Competition. The competition helps student entrepreneurs develop their business ideas, receive feedback and mentoring, and compete for cash prizes.

Classes

Our non-traditional, experiential approach to education provides students with the skills needed to compete in a global market. Classes like Life Strategies, Launch It, and Ready, Set, Fail, prepare students for real-world experiences through intellectual challenges. These classes provide students with the tools they need, so students can apply their knowledge and create their own opportunities.

Baiada Institute

The Baiada Institute provides student entrepreneurs the incubation space, mentorship, and resources needed to develop their startup, no matter what stage the company is in. Students also receive legal, accounting, and funding assistance while in residence. This community is full of fellow student entrepreneurs, staff, and alumni, so there's always plenty of opportunities to network.

Co-op

The co-op program is a hallmark of a Drexel education, but at the Close School, we do things a little differently. We provide students, no matter what their major, an opportunity to use their company as their co-op experience. Students accepted into this program receive a dedicated workspace in the Baiada Institute, mentorship from Close School faculty and experienced entrepreneurs, and up to $15,000 in funding.

The Close School and the opportunities that come with it, will hopefully inspire you to pursue your passions while developing a skill set to help you reach your goals. Let's get started!

Sarah Temple, Communications, Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship