The opportunities to learn and prepare to become an entrepreneur or innovator at Washington University in St. Louis are endless. A variety of programs around the university provide support for early-stage entrepreneurs.
Explore a wide range of learning opportunities
The Skandalaris Center is a cross-campus and community-wide initiative with the goals of igniting entrepreneurial interest and fostering a collaborative learning environment and open discussion of ideas. With few exceptions, Skandalaris Center programs are open to all and provide many free opportunities to learn and connect.
Tackle clinical challenges through Sling Health™
Sling Health™ (formerly IDEA Labs) is a student-run biotechnology incubator that provides resources, training and mentorship to teams of students tackling clinical problems by developing innovative solutions.
Partner with the Center for Experiential Learning
The Center for Experiential Learning creates innovative learning opportunities to produce meaningful results in the business and nonprofit communities. The center conducts projects for St. Louis nonprofits, startups and global firms.
Attend an IdeaBounce® event
The IdeaBounce® website and events connect early-stage entrepreneurs with each other and with the resources they need to help move their ideas forward.
Participate in the Hatchery
The Hatchery (Business Planning for New Enterprises) is open to all students at the university as well as community entrepreneurs. Olin Business School offers the Hatchery course, which partners student teams on Hatchery projects for community entrepreneurs.
Compete to win the Skandalaris Center Cup
The goal of the Skandalaris Center Cup business-plan competition is to support the growth of the entrepreneurial community at Washington University and the St. Louis region by promoting education, collaboration and team formation leading to the creation of successful early-stage ventures. Students, postdocs and recent graduates are eligible to enter the Skandalaris Center Cup competition.
Enter the Social Enterprise and Innovation Competition
The Social Enterprise and Innovation Competition (SEIC) promotes developing innovative approaches to social problems, moving social ventures beyond traditional dependence on philanthropy and government. The business-plan competition awards grants and in-kind services. Everyone is eligible to enter the SEIC.
Catalyze social change through the Suren G. Dutia and Jas K. Grewal Global Impact Award
The Global Impact Award invests in promising ventures and highly motivated entrepreneurs whose technological products and services spur economic growth and catalyze social change for underserved populations.
Join the Technology Transfer Trainee program
The program exposes trainees to a broad range of technology-transfer-related activities to help them acquire skills and experience in the commercial development of research discoveries.
Attend an F-Lab seminar session
The F-Lab Seminar Series is an opportunity for members of the WashU community to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and innovators through intensive seminars over the course of a semester.
Undergraduate Students
Major or minor in entrepreneurship
Undergraduate students can opt to major or minor in entrepreneurship through the Olin Business School.
Choose the StartUp (W)U: Skandalaris Center pre-orientation program
StartUp (W)U gives incoming students from all schools the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team to pitch innovative ideas and work in teams to take ideas from concept to prototype.
Intern at a St. Louis startup
The Skandalaris Center is able to subsidize 25 interns at St. Louis area startups. These internships are available to undergraduate students in any school pursuing any major, giving students the opportunity to experience entrepreneurship in a real-world setting while connecting to the St. Louis community of startups and support organizations.
Enter the Discovery Competition
The School of Engineering & Applied Science offers the Discovery Competition as an annual opportunity for engineering undergraduate students to explore their entrepreneurial interests with support from mentors and to compete for financial resources that could help turn their ideas into businesses.
Join student entrepreneurial organizations
WashU is home to a wide range of student groups focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Explore the options and find the organization(s) that are right for you.
Graduate Students
Focus your MBA on entrepreneurship
MBA students have the opportunity to pursue an entrepreneurship concentration, which prepares students to launch an entrepreneurial career in a range of business types.
Focus your MSW on social entrepreneurship
The social entrepreneurship specialization in the MSW program helps students build skills in business planning, budgeting, written and verbal communications, performance management and impact measurement.
Join graduate student entrepreneurial organizations
Graduate students are invited to join a variety of student innovation and entrepreneurial groups.
Faculty
Apply to the LEAP Inventor Challenge
The LEAP Inventor Challenge offers mentorship from experts, with the potential for teams to win funding to help progress their inventions towards commercialization.