Starting a business is a dream for many self-motivated individuals. While innovation can be learned through trial and error, there are numerous benefits that a degree can bring to those who are interested in starting or improving a business

On February 21st, The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, sponsored by Univest, Graphite GTC, and Kanu, hosted an epic event that left attendees buzzing with excitement. Future Fest 2023 was a day packed with activities, including pitch competitions, networking opportunities, and a keynote speech that left everyone inspired.

Taking part in any graduate degree program shows you’re committed to expanding your skillset; but, a focus on entrepreneurship will help you with more than just your business skills. You’ll gain a deep understanding of how to innovate inside an existing business - a very important skill that will help set you apart from your peers. Whether your idea comes to fruition or not, having the mindset of an entrepreneur will teach you to learn from your failures, and to push forward as you continually learn and develop your expertise. Not only does a graduate degree in entrepreneurship from the Close School teach you how to put your entrepreneurial mindset to work, but it also introduces you to a network of mentors, experts, and peers who can help connect you to a world of new opportunities. Whether you use your skills to take a deep dive into an existing strategy or to create an innovative plan for your next business, a degree in entrepreneurship will teach you everything you need to know in order to succeed.

As an entrepreneur, it’s important to set goals in order to track your progress as a team, with clients, and in the current market. Check out the infographic below for the 6 steps you need to crush your entrepreneurial goals!

Meet Kristen Hayes, the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. 

Change is inevitable, and being at the forefront of change ensures success in any industry, but who are the people shaking things up and bringing changes to the business world? Entrepreneurs. 

Meet Harrison Hertzberg, a fourth-year student at Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship. As the son of an inventor, Harrison grew up with an inquisitive mind and a strong interest in building things. Before moving to Philadelphia for college, he spent his time on his family's ranch in the isolated wilderness of Northern Idaho...

Meet Melissa Tevere, the Program Manager for the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship. Since joining the Close School team 4 years ago, Melissa has planned events such as Startup Fest, Future Fest, Proving Ground Pop-Ups, and much more.

When people think of entrepreneurship, they tend to associate the word with terms such as startup, business, creativity, and innovation to name a few; but did you know you can get a minor in entrepreneurship? Minoring in entrepreneurship is just like getting a minor in business, finance, or advertising, but with an entrepreneurship minor students will learn to think outside the box and develop an entrepreneurial mindset that will help them create their own path in both their professional and personal lives.

Working to make the world a better place is inherent for many entrepreneurs, especially social entrepreneurs. With issues such as fighting world hunger, access to quality education, gender inequality, health and well-being, along with the problems in the infographic below, the world is not short of obstacles that need solving. While this list of problems can seem daunting; through innovative thinking and a drive to make the world a better place, today's entrepreneurs have consistently found, and will continue to find solutions that use technology to make an impact. With the help of the new Impact Innovation Hub, 3 - 5 Drexel undergraduates and/or graduate students have the chance to apply for an opportunity to receive educational opportunities, incubator space, access to mentors and a stipend both at the start and the completion of the program.

The Ciright Dragon Startup Competition is open to any Drexel University student, with the goal to spur innovative app based solutions to real-world and social problems that affect Drexel University and the surrounding communities.

During the Fall/Winter term, three student entrepreneurs participated in the Close School’s Entrepreneurship Co-op. This Spring, they gave a presentation discussing their experience, their entrepreneurial journey, and their plans for the future. The entrepreneurs included: Paige DeAngelo, the Founder of Aer Cosmetics, Kasiah Harrison, the Founder of Delirium Dreaming, and Phoebe Fry, the Founder of Phoebe Jay Creative.

While there are many types of entrepreneurs in the world, Social Entrepreneurs are constantly seeking to make the world a better place, but where do these entrepreneurs gain the skills and knowledge to start turning their ideas into a reality?

Entrepreneurs often have the same goals as many of our favorite superheroes, they use their unique set of skills to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, they can inspire a movement for social change, and often face and overcome obstacles through hard work and perseverance. While there is no magic formula for finding success as an entrepreneur, there are certain super power skills that entrepreneurs possess which can contribute to their success. Take a look at the infographic below for some superpower skills every entrepreneur should learn throughout their journey, and click here to rsvp for the next Super Power Skills Series discussion with Debra Malinics!

Meet Kimberly McGlonn, the founder and CEO of Grant BLVD. Kimberly was featured on our Diverse Entrepreneurs In Action panel where she shared her story about launching a business during the Covid-19 pandemic, her passion for helping others, and her journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Kimberly shared unique insights into her journey from teacher to entrepreneur and 6 key factors that go into making a successful entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur understanding your business inside and out is very important when crafting the perfect pitch. Whether you plan on pursuing funding, partaking in competitions, or presenting to potential investors, having a solid pitch will be what sets you apart from the plethora of other businesses. Creating a successful pitch takes more than just time, planning, and practice. You have to be dedicated to the business, know your role, and most importantly, you have to know your audience. Read the infographic below to see how you can level up your pitch and come out on top after your next presentation!

February is Black history month and we want to share stories of successful Black entrepreneurs that paved the way for future generations through their hard work and innovative thinking. It is stories like these that show courage in starting a business and thinking like an entrepreneur. The entrepreneurs featured below took steps that were not taken by others before them, and became an inspiration an example of success to many entrepreneurs in the Black community. Whether they worked from the ground up to become a successful CEO or to become the first Black millionaire and even billionaire! Their stories are perfect examples that anyone can become a successful entrepreneur through dedication, hard work, and a passion for what they do.

Supporting black businesses is a continual effort, it helps to empower the community, their families, and honor black culture. One of the many people that helped pave a path to success for the black owned businesses of today is Martin Luther King Jr.. Today we see so many outstanding examples from black owned businesses, it’s hard to pick just a few of whom to shine a spotlight. Below is an infographic highlighting 5 black owned businesses in Philadelphia that deserve to be recognized for their hard work, innovative thinking, and continued service in the community!

Many businesses start with a great idea, innovative thinking, and a passionate entrepreneurial spirit - but it takes more than that to make a startup work. It takes funding. 

Funding helps startups scale, gain access to better talent and resources, and grow to the point where they can begin to attract venture capital as well as more knowledgeable investors. Programs like the Drexel Startups Fund help young entrepreneurs by not only giving them access to funding but provide other important benefits such as mentoring, incubator space, and introductions to angel and venture capital funding from the university’s alumni network.

 

Drexel alumni and Co-Founders of goPuff, Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev Drexel class of ‘15, were able to dive deep into their entrepreneurial journey during their fireside chat with Drexel University’s host, the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship, on December 3rd. They discussed the unique values instilled in them by their first-generation American backgrounds, the story behind goPuff, the challenges they faced as startup co-founders, and their goals for the company’s future. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we experience the 2020 fall semester for all of us at Drexel University, but in the spirit of entrepreneurship, we innovated. From October 27 - 29, Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship hosted its largest entrepreneurial event of the year, Startup Fest. The event brought together students, alumni, staff, entrepreneurs, and mentors for a three-day virtual event packed full of exciting competitions, educational sessions, and fun entrepreneurship based games.

When asked to picture an entrepreneur, you’ll most likely conjure an image of a founder of one of the technology companies from Silicon Valley creating breakthrough products and paradigm shifts. But entrepreneurship covers more than just corporate and new venture creation. The lesser-known brother of the three entrepreneurship concentrations covers developing better communities and lives through what is called social entrepreneurship.

A pandemic like COVID-19 has adverse effects on the economy and development of businesses. However, innovators and entrepreneurs who think outside the box can help develop the technologies and solutions that will have a lasting and positive impact in the post-pandemic climate. This pandemic has helped rapidly advance industries across the board and has sped up technological innovation across the world. In times of uncertainty, innovation helps us overcome many of the current challenges we face - and there is no one more capable in rising to the challenge than our future entrepreneurs. 

Scaling a business is tough, but it gives you the opportunity to support growth in your company. Without the proper training and know-how, growing a business can be extremely difficult, but with the proper training and knowledge, any entrepreneur can take their business to the next level. Taking classes at the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship such as Managing Entrepreneurial Growth and Building Entrepreneurial Teams can help tie in all the essential skills and knowledge required to grow a venture from the ground up. Managing Entrepreneurial Growth will give you an overview of all the important aspects of building your business while helping you to develop the best plan of action to scale and grow. While most people think scaling and growth are two sides of the same coin, there is one key difference. Scaling refers to an increase in revenue without increasing the company's production cost, while growth is equatable to an increase in revenue - but also an increase in spending to get there. 

Producing a successful business requires consistent learning, great leadership, and an open mindset when discussing new strategies. At the Charles D. Close School, courses such as Leading Startups, Building Entrepreneurial Teams, and Managing Entrepreneurial Growth provide entrepreneurs with the tools and framework to create a strategy, build a team, and grow with limited resources. Whether you're looking to tweak your marketing strategy or advance your product, here are our 5 entrepreneurial tips that will help your team and business standout:

Meet Timothy Ericson, a Drexel alum and founder of Zagster (formerly known as CityRyde). Zagster is a bike-sharing company that offers turn-key solutions often found in big cities, for small to medium-sized businesses, commercial companies, and other organizations. With over 250 different bike-share setups across the country, Zagster has become one of the leading companies in the transportation sharing industry.

A co-op, which is a term short for cooperative education, is a program employed throughout Drexel University to give students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned from the classroom and apply it to a real-world experience. While on Co-op, students have the chance to work full-time while their academic studies are put on pause. Most people think an internship is the same as a co-op experience, but there are many factors that set them apart from one another.

“To aspiring Social Entrepreneurs: start in your heart! Everybody has a true passion for a problem in society, what’s your soul-searing passion? Don’t know yet? Then go somewhere where you can remove all distractions and then go DEEP - into your own heart and soul. Once you have found your Driving Passion, you’re on the right path to social entrepreneurship. But note well: You need your own Driving Passion - because a social mission is grindingly tough and at times even seemingly hopeless. It’s your Driving Passion that will propel you through the grind.” 

The Charles D. Close School is delighted to announce its new AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation.

 

 

As an entrepreneur, your daily life and routine can be an everchanging cycle of adaptation as new tasks and problems arise. While you may be tempted to put in long hours or feel anxiety about new challenges that may emerge, practicing mindfulness can have great benefits not only for your health, but also for your business. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an impact on the lives of citizens, government officials, and business owners alike. Many business owners around the world have been pushed to switch to remote work, reevaluate their business plans, and seek a new “normal” as they prepare for the future. With no definite end in sight for the pandemic, many have begun to consider going digital as a way to keep their businesses afloat. Companies able to leverage technology and pivot their businesses to withstand current economic hardships will find themselves not only able to survive these uncertain times, but also see their business come out even stronger than before.

Stuck working from home in the next few weeks? Are you worried about staying productive and on task with your studies or work? You may be feeling anxious about how to stay productive during everything that is currently unfolding. We’ve got you covered with four tips to keep you productive while taking online classes and working from home!

On Monday, March 9th, Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship hosted the second annual Maguire Women’s Empowerment Summit at the Behrakis Grand Hall in Philadelphia, PA. The event brought together women from both Drexel and the surrounding community for a day filled with empowering speakers, interactive workshops and networking sessions! 

On Thursday, January 30th, The Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship hosted the first annual Entrepreneurship Alumni Network Kickoff Tour Reception following the Proving Ground Popup event. Alumni from across the university with interests in entrepreneurship and innovation joined us to celebrate the occasion and welcome the new Entrepreneurship Alumni Affinity Group. 

We took the time to reflect on our students' successes, their growth as entrepreneurs, and their continuous improvement, and we couldn't be happier with what we have accomplished so far.

Cozy up to read an entrepreneurial twist to Clement Clarke Moore’s classic poem, “A visit from St. Nicholas!”

The Proving Ground provides students with the chance to receive mentoring and advising from other Baiada companies, as well as unbiased (and free!) focus groups to test their ideas!

Use these tips to keep your business running even when you're on the go:

Bake up a perfect business plan with these three simple steps:

Check out some creative ways to thank your customers:

Drexel Ranked as a Top Entrepreneurship College by The Princeton Review:

Check out the five best moments from StartupFest:

This week, we honor five entrepreneurial veterans.

Wondering what you should expect from Drexel’s most prestigious #entrepreneurship event of the year? Read our infographic to learn more:

How the trailblazers of the past still impact and inspire today's entrepreneurs:

Risk-taking is scary, but not realizing your dreams is scarier. See who took a risk and reaped the benefits:

You've graduated college and you're taking the entrepreneurial leap- here's how to face down your obstacles and succeed.

An active body helps maintain a healthy mind. Check out these ideas to stay fit around Philly!

Take a look at some college essentials that you can find on goPuff.

Take a look at some of the entrepreneurial programs and events you can take advantage of during your time at Drexel!

Pro tips to keep in mind when you're establishing a startup's brand.

Check out how this Drexel Startup is changing the riding experience forever.

Wrapping up an internship or co-op? Use the experience to your advantage.

Find out how Snapchat can give your company a competitive edge!

Check out these 9 essential tips for every digital marketer.

Jared Therrien has a mission to save lives by reducing emergency response times.

Participate in the American Dream through Entrepreneurship at Drexel.

Check out a breakdown of Philly's entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Have you ever wondered how some of America's most successful people got their start?

Get the results you want from your email blasts with these simple tips.

Baiada Institute Incubator company, Boost Linguistics,created an application designed to help writers create emotionally-charged marketing content for articles, blogs, and social media posts.

You and your team brainstormed plenty of new ideas... but what comes next?

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the incubator.

Have you ever searched for a brand’s website or social media page, but you end up on a page that doesn't seem right? The Twitter profile picture might still be an egg or the website may be completely blank. What happened here?

We understand that entrepreneurs lead hectic lives. Take a look at our infographic on how to organize your organization!

Each year, we make resolutions to accomplish big things during the upcoming year. Take that determination to start something and apply it to your startup. Whether you’re still in the idea stages or you already have a business, make this year YOUR year!

With their class finals in mind, Close School students, Danish Dhamani and Paritosh Gupta founded Orai, a public speaking company with its sights set on helping students and professionals become better presenters, speech-givers, and orators.

They don't call Philadelphia the "City of Firsts" for nothing. See what unique assets this city has to offer its entrepreneurs.

Learn how being a mentor can benefit both your professional and personal life:

Minoring in entrepreneurship can strengthen your education in more ways than you think:

Take a look at this list of ideas to help your resume stand out from the competition!

Did you know that entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to any career path? See if an entrepreneurship minor is right for you:

Ace your classes and enjoy these sunny months at the same time!

Get into the patriotic spirit by supporting these American businesses!

Utilize some of the many resources Drexel University's campus has to offer.

Utilize some of the many resources Drexel University's campus has to offer.

Here's a list of methods to help guide you into your next chapter:

Take a look at some growing industries that need entrepreneurs:

Learn how you can utilize feedback from early customers to help your business grow!

Build your entrepreneurial mindset with these simple tips:

Big companies are looking for innovators too- check out what it means to be an Intrapreneur:

Check the newest batch of Entrepreneurship Co-ops and their awesome ventures:

With these helpful tips you can continue to grow professionally after graduation:

Network like a pro with these great tips:

Land your dream job with these simple tips:

Meet some of the newest additions to the Baiada Institute's family!

With these tips you’ll be able to stay lucky throughout the entire year:

This month we celebrate the accomplishments of influential women in Philadelphia.

One startup, two startup, three startups, Baiada. Read about The Places You'll Go with The Close School!

What is the Proving Ground? Find out with Gossamer Games' Thomas Sharpe:

The world is always changing, and offices are no exception.

Philadelphia is home to hundreds of business, and some originated right here at Drexel University!

These African American entrepreneurs used their skills to change our country:

Overcome the most common creative obstacles:

It's important to understand a team's personality types, differences of opinion and how to be patient.

Check out these tips to achieve your New Year's resolutions:

Check out these tips to meet your goals and resolutions for the New Year:

5 Essential Tips You Should Remember When Developing Your Brand's Packaging

Social media is a large part of our day-to-day lives, both personally and professionally. Many businesses take to social media to broaden customer reach and brand awareness.

But where should you begin? And how?

Fear is a primal motivator - it taps into basic survival instincts, propels us to think, form opinions, and act quickly. It's no surprise that many marketers rely on fear-based narratives to drive messages or products. We have all seen ads that directly encompass this idea: smoking kills, the negative effects of drugs, political smear campaigns, etc. But do extreme fear-based campaigns actually work?

Here are 5 Common Fears of Entrepreneurship and How to Overcome Them

Drexel University's Startup Day encompasses Philadelphia's long-standing tradition of entrepreneurship and development. At Drexel's biggest entrepreneurship event of the year, we celebrate the innovative ideas of our city's entrepreneurs, while encouraging the next generation of starters.

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.

An attempt at leveling the playing field of education through the use of high-speed internet and artificial intelligence.

Tern Water Introduces Smart Technology to Your Home's Water System

WindiGo Turbines make renewable energy more feasible and are creating a buzz in the startup community.

Growing Resources Expand Women's Entrepreneurship In Technology and More

Checking in with AutoGradr, Incubator Competition Winners of Startup Day 2015

Baiada Bred Female Entrepreneur Adds a Dash of Love to the Philly Food Scene

Learn how Tern is using the university incubator space to make a product that improves the quality of our world.

The Drexel grad and video game entrepreneur talks about what's next for the philanthropic game company.

After a trip to San Francisco and a victory in the Microsoft Imagine Cup, the team behind the tutoring app looks back on a hectic year and prepares for what’s next.

Collin Cavote traveled across the country to find his inspiration in the most unlikely of places. Now he’s on a mission to bring nature back to urban life. Do you believe?

Amidst a sea of tech startups, ChocAmo founder Michelle Silberman’s most important tool isn’t her computer — it’s her oven.

The Baiada Institute company is making hospitality management more efficient — starting with a five-star hotel in their own backyard.

For Benjamin Melman, Collin Cavote and Maria Allison, launching their ventures means more than just turning a profit. It means changing minds.

Renaissance Man Chuck Sacco never saw the world in black and white. It’s the colors in between that matter most.

From the ice to the iPhone, eventuosity founder and Drexel alum Justin Panzer has always found inspiration in organization.

Maria Allison and Nicole Koedyker, co-founders of Forsei Consulting, are helping to create a new class of socially conscious entrepreneurs.

The co-founder of 215 Marketing, currently incubating the Baiada Institute, shares the story behind his love of inspirational quotes.

Founded by Drexel grad Rachel Zeldin, the former Baiada Institute company is touted as the "TripAdvisor of funeral planning."

Co-founder Shaw Levin looks back as his company moves on from the Baiada Institute.

TechGirlz, a nonprofit aimed at closing the gender gap in the technology world, partnered with the Close School to host its third annual summer camp for girls interested in tech careers.

Max Goldberg and Dan Leung, recent Drexel graduates and founders of video production company Five Five Collective, discuss working on projects with the Close School and their own path to entrepreneurship.

The incubation arm of the Close School translates its groundbreaking work incubating student and alumni ventures into an interactive online resource center.

Collin Cavote finds inspiration, funding for his carbon-scrubbing biowalls in the City of Lights.

Founders of all-in-one solar charger find inspiration in water, crowd funding.

Created by Dan Eberhart and Jonathan McDaniel, Kegg is a networking service that connects college students to local events via a private, college-only environment.

The six teams chosen will present their business plans to a panel of judges on May 8.

The Close School’s first batch of Entrepreneurship Co-op students trade insights and speak prolonged success.

This year, 70 teams submitted entries for a coveted spot in the top three.