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Entrepreneurial Mindset

Entrepreneurship education has traditionally focused on preparing one type of student for venture creation. Lehigh views entrepreneurship differently—more broadly. It’s not just about launching a venture, it’s about being entrepreneurial in any setting. And it needs to be global, diverse, and inclusive to be effective. We call it: global entrepreneurial mindset.

Lehigh believes an individual with a global entrepreneurial mindset is someone who leads with purpose, thinks globally, creatively solves problems using human-centered design, takes risks, and creates solutions with value, across all disciplines and in a variety of careers. Regardless of their program or course of study, all Lehigh students can develop a global entrepreneurial mindset through a variety of innovative programs and opportunities.

Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation

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Dedicated to inspiring and educating the next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers, the Baker Institute provides authentic opportunities for Lehigh students from every discipline to deeply engage in the entrepreneurial process. Programs ranging from two-hour dinners to two-month immersion programs help nurture students and their ideas. Learn more about the Baker Institute >

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LehighSiliconValley

LehighSiliconValley brings Lehigh undergraduate and graduate students together with alumni in the Silicon Valley for a weeklong immersion into new-venture creation. Students focus on real companies, real players and real situations in real time. Learn more about LehighSiliconValley >

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Hatchery

The Hatchery is a full-time, summer student idea accelerator open to all Lehigh students, regardless of their major, year or academic background. This competitive and selective opportunity allows students to immerse themselves in a culture of design thinking and develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more about the Hatchery >

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EUREKA! Ventures Competition

Through a series of competitions and a final pitch to a board of experts, the EUREKA! program offers a platform for students, faculty and alumni to work creatively toward business proposals. Learn more about the EUREKA! Ventures Competition >

Initiatives and Centers

Lehigh’s initiatives and centers support entrepreneurs and business owners as they develop their ideas and grow their businesses at every stage.

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Lehigh@NasdaqCenter

In 2017, we launched Lehigh@NasdaqCenter to extend Lehigh's entrepreneurial spirit on the west coast and beyond. Lehigh@NasdaqCenter is an exclusive academic in-residence collaboration between Lehigh University and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center in San Francisco—home to one of the most active startup and innovation ecosystems in the world. The Lehigh@NasdaqCenter is committed to accelerating student transformation and societal impact through high-impact learning experiences that develop global entrepreneurial leaders—innovative programs like the Global Entrepreneurial Fellowship, Startup Academy, and remote courses—that change the way students see themselves and the world. Learn more about Lehigh@NasdaqCenter >

Iacocca Institute

The Iacocca Institute was founded in 1988 to help prepare the next generation of leaders to thrive in a global economy, with the belief that successful leadership requires a deep understanding of different cultures and comfort working across boundaries and borders.

Lehigh University Small Business Development Center

The SBDC provides consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs wanting to start or grow a small business. SBDC consultants work one-on-one with entrepreneurs to help test a new business proposition, shape a business plan or investigate funding issues. Learn more about the SBDC >

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

In partnership with Lehigh University, Ben Franklin Technology Partners invests in and supports companies to create and retain highly paid, sustainable jobs; catalyze technology-based economic growth in northeastern Pennsylvania; and advance technologies that improve the human condition. Learn more about Ben Franklin Technology Partners >

Keystone Innovation Zone

Southside Bethlehem is a Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) that fosters innovation and creates entrepreneurial opportunities by aligning the combined resources of local educational institutions, the public sector and the private sector. Learn more about Keystone Innovation Zone >

Academic Programs

If you have an entrepreneurial mindset—or would like to develop one—Lehigh has an option for you. Opportunities ranging from supplemental coursework to undergraduate and graduate degrees allow Lehigh students to hone their entrepreneurial skills at a variety of levels.

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Technical Entrepreneurship

Technical Entrepreneurship courses are available to undergraduate students through a capstone and graduate students through a one-year, 30-credit professional master’s program where students learn by experiencing the idea-to-venture process in an educational environment that’s hard-wired to support the development of novel, innovative and commercially viable technologies. Learn more about Technical Entrepreneurship >

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VENTURESeries MBA Track

VENTURESeries, a highly acclaimed executive certificate program and MBA track, focuses on the next generation of entrepreneurs. Our courses show how owner-entrepreneurs can embark on the path to move idea to reality. Learn more about VENTURESeries >

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Entrepreneurship Courses/Minor

Students in any major can supplement their studies with entrepreneurial coursework that will help them increase their ability to identify opportunities for innovation, to challenge the status quo in any field and to implement sustainable change. Learn more about Entrepreneurship Courses/Minor >

Fostering Innovation

We strive to build in each student an innovative mindset, skill set and capacity for creative thinking. Lehigh graduates approach real-world problems with creativity, generate bold new ideas and make a direct impact on communities, organizations and institutions.

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A Serious Toy Business

IDEAS major Shannon Varcoe ’15 launched her business, TroubleMaker, LLC, and her first product, ZYX Sticks, as a graduate student in the Technical Entrepreneurship program. Since then, Shannon has been recognized as an innovator and trailblazer, and her product has won several toy industry awards.

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An App for Altruism

During his junior year at Lehigh, Zach Gray ’16, a marketing major and entrepreneurship minor, developed and launched STRIVR, an altruistic social media platform that connects individuals with friends and those around them in hopes of bettering the community.

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A Cross-Cultural Experience

The Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry is an intensive, five-week program that teaches adult professionals business, entrepreneurial and leadership skills while preparing them to thrive in a global community. Villagers learn and live among a culturally diverse group of more than 90 peers from more than 45 countries.