Build the skills to create opportunities in any career
Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business—it's about recognizing opportunities, solving meaningful problems, and creating value wherever your career takes you. Whether you aspire to launch a venture, lead innovation within an established company, join a family business, work in consulting, or make an impact in a nonprofit, the Entrepreneurship major equips you with the mindset and practical skills to succeed.
At Tippie, you'll learn by doing. Through hands-on projects, real-world consulting, innovation challenges, internships, and close connections with entrepreneurs and business leaders, you'll develop the confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills employers value across every industry.
Career opportunities
Graduates pursue careers in consulting, corporate innovation, product management, marketing, finance, startups, family businesses, and nonprofit organizations. No matter where your career takes you, the Entrepreneurship major develops the leadership, adaptability, and opportunity-recognition skills to create value in any organization.
Designed to complement other majors
Entrepreneurship pairs exceptionally well with other Tippie majors, allowing you to combine entrepreneurial thinking with expertise in accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, management, and marketing. Whether you plan to work for a startup, a Fortune 500 company, a family business, or your own venture, entrepreneurship enhances the value of your primary field of study.
Learn by doing
From consulting with real clients and participating in innovation challenges to internships, competitions, and entrepreneurial experiences through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), you'll graduate with practical experience—not just classroom knowledge.
Required core courses
- Professional Preparation
- Entrepreneurial Strategy
- Emerging Technology Driving Business Innovation
- Advanced Entrepreneurial Finance
- Leading Innovation
- Professional Selling
Areas of emphasis
- Technology Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurial Finance
- Entrepreneurial Leadership
- General Entrepreneurship
- Applied Entrepreneurship
Student opportunities
Your learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) and other experiential programs, you'll connect with entrepreneurs, build your professional network, develop leadership skills, and apply what you learn in real-world settings.
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC)
The hub for entrepreneurship at Iowa, connecting students with mentors, funding opportunities, competitions, startup resources, and entrepreneurial programming.
Entrepreneurial experiences
Students can engage in a variety of hands-on opportunities, including:
- Hawkeye Launch Fund – Support and learn from early-stage ventures.
- Startup Accelerator – Work alongside founders and emerging companies.
- Bedell Entrepreneurship Learning Laboratory – Explore venture creation and entrepreneurial experiences.
- Entrepreneurship Competitions – Including IdeaStorm, Innovation Challenge, the Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Venture Competition, and the John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition.
Sigma Nu Tau Honor Society
Sigma Nu Tau Honor Society recognizes students who demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurship, leadership, and academics. Members enjoy opportunities for:
- Professional networking
- Entrepreneur and alumni speaker events
- Leadership development
- Business trips and experiential learning
- Graduation recognition
Ready to learn more?
Whether you're interested in launching a venture, leading innovation within an organization, consulting, or creating social impact, Entrepreneurship provides the skills and experiences to help you succeed.
Meet with an academic advisor to learn how Entrepreneurship can fit your career goals.