Entrepreneurship Education Empowers Everyone 

The Close School offers a range of co-curricular programs to complement the academic experience of entrepreneurs at Drexel University. These funding opportunities and competitions reinforce lessons learned in the classroom and allow students to flex their entrepreneurial skills such as managing a product development cycle, speaking with potential investors and leading a team to accomplish a mission.

Entrepreneurship Co-op

In lieu of participating in a traditional co-op, entrepreneurship students have the opportunity to spend six co-op months establishing their own business. The Close School acts as a support system providing mentors, training, progress reports and $15,000 to fund their business. This opportunity is open to all Drexel students. Those with a pre-existing business idea are encouraged to apply.

Learn More

Startup Fest Competitions

Drexel’s premier entrepreneurship event and competition, Startup Fest, is one of the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship’s largest events of the year. It includes pitch presentations from students, along with business showcases, guest speakers and ample networking opportunities. The event culminates with final contestants of the Baiada Incubator Competition competing for funding from a $25,000 pool.

Learn More

Botstiber Senior Design Entrepreneurship Competition

The Botstiber Senior Design Entrepreneurship Competition is designed for senior design students in the College of Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering. The purpose of the competition is to provide an opportunity to students with potential commercial ideas to receive funding and to be led in the proper direction in project development. Projects with commercial potential can discuss incubation options within the Baiada institute.

Learn More

Drexel Startups Fund

This competition program, which is run by the Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship and supported through its Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship team, provides support to students for their startup ventures, with preference going to promising senior, graduate or post-graduate students. Up to $50,000 will be awarded.

Learn More