The University of Denver kicks off an ambitious campaign Friday, April 19
The University of Denver’s Denver Difference Campaign is all about shifting conventional thinking, sparking transformation and innovating a new vision.
Sounds a lot like the core principles of entrepreneurship.
On Friday, April 19, a Daniels College of Business “Entrepreneurship Village” will help publicly launch the University’s most ambitious campaign in history. The celebration will feature an array of immersive activities that showcase every academic unit on campus, plus athletics, extracurricular groups, and centers and institutes. Each represents a component that makes DU a transformational force.
“Entrepreneurship is necessary for innovation and progress. It’s critical to the core mission of the University of Denver,” said Joshua Ross (MBA 2001), director of entrepreneurship. “It’s not just about starting businesses—it’s about developing the skills, resilience and creative confidence to tackle complex challenges. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and providing the resources and space for students to develop and test their ideas, Entrepreneurship@DU is cultivating the next generation of problem-solvers, changemakers, creatives and leaders.”
During the school year, E@DU hosts a packed schedule of speaker series, workshops and skill-building seminars. Every quarter, students in the BUS 1440 course pitch their ideas for a public good-benefitting startup in the Madden Challenge. And this summer, E@DU will launch its third BASE Camp summer accelerator, an intensive program that provides budding entrepreneurs with mentorship, coaching, coworking space and financial support to take their ideas to the next level.
Several student and alumni entrepreneurs will be at Friday’s celebration to show off their products and explain the ways E@DU has benefitted them. Guests can chat with entrepreneurs—like Zak Mbereko, who designed Chancellor Jeremy Haefner’s custom Denver Difference Converse sneakers—while tasting GoodLove Foods’ gluten-free baked goods, trying out ICEBOX video game controllers and playing around on the ChargeHolidays platform, which provides eco-friendly travel options.
“We are honored to present at the Denver Difference Campaign kickoff,” said Lilith Diringer, founder of ChargeHolidays. “We really want to make a difference in the sustainable way of traveling and trip planning. We hope that everybody traveling to the event will test out our tool for a sustainable future.”
The goal of the Denver Difference campaign is to raise $1 billion, cementing DU’s legacy as a top-tier university that prepares students to be well-rounded graduates. The campaign prioritizes DU’s people—and the programs and places that facilitate their work.
“It’s remarkable to witness how Entrepreneurship@DU, under the direction of Daniels alumnus Joshua Ross, has become a cornerstone of the Daniels College of Business,” said Cody Sherrod, the Daniels director of alumni engagement. “This Friday we celebrate this evolution and immerse ourselves in the excitement of showcasing student and alumni entrepreneurs and faculty. Let’s explore together how Entrepreneurship@DU is fueling the inventive process, transforming ideas into tangible realities.”
Join us in Magness Arena from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 19, to celebrate the Denver Difference! RSVP for the community celebration.