Build the mindset that drives innovation
Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business. It’s about recognizing opportunities, navigating uncertainty, and turning ideas into action.
As an Entrepreneurship major, you'll develop the mindset and skills to innovate in any environment—from technology startups and family businesses to global corporations and non-profit organizations. Through applied coursework and collaborative projects, you'll evaluate opportunities, develop strategies, and bring ideas to life.
You'll build practical experience in innovation, design thinking, entrepreneurial finance, marketing, and leadership—preparing you to thrive in a business world where adaptability and initiative matter.
Entrepreneurship academic plan
“Marketing taught me to understand customers. Entrepreneurship taught me to build for them.”
A mindset employers value
Entrepreneurship develops skills organizations consistently seek in new graduates:
- Opportunity recognition and innovative thinking
- Creative problem solving and design thinking
- Strategic decision making
- Leadership and professional communication
- Navigating uncertainty and making progress when the path isn’t obvious
These capabilities prepare graduates for careers across industries—from consulting and corporate innovation to venture finance and new product development.
Learn from experienced faculty and connected alumni
Students learn from faculty who have launched ventures, advised growing companies, and worked closely with entrepreneurs and innovators. Their experience brings practical insight into the classroom and helps students understand how ideas move from concept to execution. Applied projects and industry connections also give students opportunities to engage with alumni and business leaders before they graduate.
A flexible major that pairs well with others
Entrepreneurship is one of the most flexible business majors and works exceptionally well as a double major.
Students often combine entrepreneurship with:
- Finance
- Marketing
- Business Analytics
- Management
- Accounting
Pairing entrepreneurial thinking with technical expertise signals to employers that you’re not only capable—you’re adaptable, strategic, and ready to lead.
“Tippie’s entrepreneurship major gave me the perspective that I can do good in the world and still make money.”
Career paths with impact
Entrepreneurship graduates pursue careers across industries and organizations, including:
- Consulting and strategy
- Corporate innovation and product development
- Venture capital and entrepreneurial finance
- Startup ventures and new business development
- Family business leadership
- Social and nonprofit innovation
Wherever you go, you bring the entrepreneurial mindset to recognize opportunities and create value.
Explore beyond the classroom
If you’re interested in launching ventures—during college or later in your career—you can explore co-curricular opportunities through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, connecting with mentors, competitions, and startup resources.
Customize your experience
As part of your major, you choose two electives that allow you to focus on leadership, technology, finance, or general entrepreneurship.
- Entrepreneurial Leadership – Focus on leadership and entrepreneurship in a corporate or existing organization.
- Technology Entrepreneurship – Dive deep into the development and assessment of new technology applications.
- Entrepreneurial Finance – Apply financial modeling and venture assessment to early-stage companies seeking equity capital investments.
- General Entrepreneurship and New Ventures – Choose from a range of electives focused on venture creation, consulting, social impact, and emerging business models.
Impact of entrepreneurship in the U.S.
# 17
The Princeton Review, 2026
90 %
45 %
Source: SBA Office of Advocacy
Additional opportunities
Enjoy a history of world-class access
Entrepreneurial major students leverage the expertise and professional network of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. JPEC has been successfully training and supporting entrepreneurial ventures for over 25 years.
Study across disciplines
One of the unique aspects of the major is that it incorporates specialized coursework delivered by faculty from the entrepreneurship, management, finance, marketing, business analytics, and economics departments.
Get twice the inspiration
Entrepreneurship is an outstanding choice as a double major for Tippie College students studying accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, and marketing.