The Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh exists to inspire, educate, and develop entrepreneurial leaders and to put that energy to work for our region. Students of all majors and disciplines are welcome here. When they grow, so does our economy.
who we are
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development is a hub of entrepreneurial activity within the UW Oshkosh College of Business, serving both the campus community and the broader Fox Valley and Winnebago County region. Over the years, we have helped dozens of students launch their own businesses, supported hundreds of small business owners through hands-on programming, and built partnerships that extend UW Oshkosh’s reach as an economic development anchor in northeast Wisconsin.
Our work spans two interconnected areas: developing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent on campus, and strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem that surrounds it. We believe these two goals are inseparable creating a thriving university and a thriving regional economy grow best when they grow together.
what we do
We offer programming at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey:
For students, we provide experiential learning through the Business Model Competition, the Student Entrepreneurship Consultants program, Titan Spark! events, and a formal Certificate in Entrepreneurship. These programs give students from any discipline the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience to turn ideas into action.
For small businesses and community partners, Innovation Foundry offers an intensive, cohort-based experience that pairs Fox Valley businesses with expert facilitators and peer learners to drive meaningful growth. This program reflects our commitment to being a resource not just for UWO students, but for the entrepreneurs and business owners who make our region’s economy run.
At the ecosystem level, C•CUBE — the Conversations for Colleges and Universities in Building Ecosystems toolkit — represents our contribution to a national conversation about how higher education can play a more intentional role in regional economic development. Developed at UW Oshkosh in partnership with Venn Collaborative and supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, C•CUBE is now being used by institutions across the country to build stronger, more connected entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Our values
We believe entrepreneurship is a mindset, not just a skill set.
We value action over theory, collaboration over competition, and community impact over individual gain.
Everything we do is grounded in the idea that the best learning happens when the stakes are real and the support is strong.