Entrepreneurship Academy

Applications for the Build A Venture program are now open

If you are a UWT student interested in turning an idea into a business, apply to the Build A Venture program. We will work with up to 10 business or social enterprise ideas from January to June 2025 to help you develop your business model and a minimum viable product. The Build a Venture program gives you:

Access to workshops, online resources, personalized coaching, and mentors
Group meetings 1-2 times per month from January through May
Eligibility for seed funding (up to $2000) that can help launch your venture.
Preparation for incubators and funding opportunities like business plan competitions

Applications are due by December 6. Teams are welcome to apply -- only one application is needed per team.

Explore the entrepreneur in you and understand the business landscape

Open to all UW Tacoma undergraduate and graduate students

No cost to participate

Earn a certificate that can help you qualify for incubator and startup programs

Building the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Phase 1 (Autumn Term)

In Autumn, Phase 1 of the Entrepreneurship Academy will focus on the entrepreneurial mindset. Guided by expert faculty and entrepreneurs, you will get to know other students, identify your strengths, generate ideas, and explore opportunities. No business experience or startup idea is required to participate in the autumn sessions (some with options to attend online). You will:

Assess your strengths and weaknesses and your fit with an entrepreneur’s lifestyle
Learn business fundamentals and how to evaluate whether a new venture is viable
Explore how entrepreneurs create value and solve problems for customers and society
Meet others who have complimentary skills to yours and build a new venture team

After Phase 1, you can continue to Phase 2 or try another option like a paid internship working for an entrepreneur.

Building New Ventures

Phase 2 (Winter and Spring terms)

In Phase 2 (Winter and Spring terms), the Entrepreneurship Academy will help you develop your ideas and prepare to launch a new venture. Phase 2 requires an application that describes the business idea that you and your team hope to launch. Those selected to participate will:

Learn market analysis and business development
Develop a business plan
Plan for financial success
Practice pitching your idea to funders
Be mentored by experienced entrepreneurs

Applications are open now through December 6, 2024. Program begins January 2025 for selected applicants. If you complete the whole program, you will earn a certificate that can help you qualify for incubator and startup programs to grow your business.

Be part of a vibrant and growing community of entrepreneurs in the South Sound region! Interested or have questions? Contact EntrepCenter@uw.edu

APPLY TO BUILD A VENTURE

COURSES RECOMMENDED FOR FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS

TGID 320

Innovation and Design Studio

Studio-based course focused on situated, practical, and adaptive design. Students work in small teams where they undertake design projects to develop innovative solutions to challenges arising within the campus, local community and beyond.

TGID in My Plan

T MGMT 474

Entrepreneurship: Idea Development

Explores techniques used to develop business opportunities. Examines the heart of entrepreneurship: the idea. Focuses on idea development, emphasizing the strategic feasibility of the business idea. Builds critical thinking skills and encourages professional communication skills via student projects and class activities.

T MGMT 474 in My Plan

T INST 475

Entrepreneurship in Computing and Software Systems

Study of the process of developing a product or service in the field of computing and software systems, preparing a plan for commercialization, and implementing that plan.

T INST 475 in My Plan

Entrepreneurship Academy

Main Content

Applications for the Build A Venture program are now open