We believe that every student should have the skills to solve problems, innovate, and communicate effectively, regardless of their chosen career path. Our mission is to equip students with the necessary tools to become innovators, leaders, and changemakers. We encourage students to think big, embrace challenges, and make a meaningful impact.
Our Entrepreneurship Minor is open to all undergraduate students at DU, designed to provide students with the skills and confidence to start their own businesses. By completing the entrepreneurship minor, students will:
- Learn how to think creatively and come up with innovative ideas.
- Develop and validate their business ideas and opportunities.
- Cultivate the skills and self-assurance needed to launch a business.
- Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
- Foster strong communication and collaboration skills.
You’ll get in, get what you need, get out and get to work, with a cutting-edge skillset developed through through two types of courses.
You take three required 4-credit courses:
- EVM 1100: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
- EVM 3350: From Idea to First Dollar Sale
- BUS 1440: The Fourth Industrial Revolution, which includes the Madden Challenge. (Already a required course for business majors)
You’ll earn the rest of your credits by choosing from more than 30 one-day, 1-credit Sprints.
Undergraduate students from any school or college can take the Entrepreneurship Minor. See the degree plan for detailed information about all the classes in the minor.
BUS 1440: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4 Credit Hours)
Offered in the Fall, Winter & Spring quarters
This course provides a practical glimpse into the future of the global and competitive nature of business. From product ideation to product deployment, this course introduces students to business’s role in society in promoting sustainability as the only successful business model for delivering value to customers and stakeholders of all kinds. Key business activities such as marketing, finance and accounting, working in teams, and product/service innovation and creativity are introduced. Key 4th industrial revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), distributed ledger technology and cryptocurrency, augmented/mixed/virtual reality, additive manufacturing, and autonomous robotics and drones are also introduced.
EVM 3350: From Idea to First Dollar Sale (4 Credit Hours)
Offered in the Fall & Spring quarters
Designed to serve as the capstone course for the Entrepreneurship Minor, From Idea to First Dollar Sale takes students through the process of starting a company, launching a product, creating a market, and learning how to embrace “failure” and manage uncertainty.
Student will use and apply the knowledge, skills, and tools they have developed in previous Entrepreneurship Minor courses to spin up a business in ten weeks. Most types of businesses are welcome: retail, services, technology, hospitality, etc. Students may build on an existing idea, iterate, and take it to the next level or develop an entirely new idea.
Through class discussions, activities, presentations, and guest speakers, students will explore the principles of planning, testing, measuring, analyzing, and rapidly iterating a product or service. Startups require significant effort, commitment, creativity, and passion. This class is no different and whether you have started a business in the past, you will know what it takes to be an entrepreneur by the time this class is finished!
EVM 1100: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (4 Credit Hours)
Offered in the Fall, Winter & Spring quarters
Entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving innovation, promoting social change, creating jobs, and changing the way we live, work, and communicate. Entrepreneurs come from different backgrounds, professions and possess a wide range of skills and experiences. What entrepreneurs have in common, the desire to make change and create value through innovation.
This introductory entrepreneurship course is for students that are interested in entrepreneurship or first-time entrepreneurs with an idea. Students will learn the tools and frameworks for starting a for-profit business, a non-profit business, or a business within a business.
EVM 2100: Social Entrepreneurship (4 Credit Hours) *Elective*
Offered in the Spring quarter
Interested in making a positive impact through business while also making money? Social entrepreneurship will teach you how you can ‘do well by doing good.’ This course examines how all types of organizations can be used to positively impact our global society. Students will explore their own passions and see how purpose and profit can combine to create rewarding and inspiring careers and companies.
Human-centered design, alternative funding, business models, and impact measurement will all be integrated to prepare students to lead impactful careers. Through class discussions, case studies, guest speakers, and hands-on application, this course will prepare students to join the growing group of innovators using business to address society’s greatest challenges.
EVM 2200: Global Entrepreneurship (4 Credit Hours) *Elective*
Offered in the Fall quarter
Entrepreneurship is about solving problems, identifying unmet needs and opportunities. Where some see roadblocks, entrepreneurs see opportunity. As people, cultures and business become interconnected it is important for entrepreneurs to have a global mindset and approach to business. The Global Entrepreneurship course provides you with the skills and knowledge to start a business in another country, develop a market in another country, and identify opportunities across borders. Students will develop an intercultural understanding as they learn about history, religion, culture, economy, and government in other countries. Students will identify commonalities, shared interests, and differences between cultures and apply business frameworks to develop products and services for international markets.
The Lamont School of Music and the Daniels College of Business have launched a joint specialized graduate certificate in Music Entrepreneurship.
The certificate is aimed at students who seek to develop and manage their careers as working artists in the field of music. They’ll gain the background, practical skills and critical perspectives necessary to develop an entrepreneurial career in their chosen area of expertise.
> Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Music Entrepreneurship