Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas

We’re proud to be the #1 undergraduate entrepreneurship program in Minnesota—and we’re climbing the national rankings thanks to our amazing students and alumni.

At the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. Our students launch real ventures, compete in high-energy pitch events and learn from faculty with real-world experience and a passion for helping them succeed. It’s this hands-on, high-impact approach that sets us apart.

If you’ve started a business (during your time at St. Thomas or after), you’re part of that story. And we’d love to hear from you!

Your experience helps us grow, inspires future Tommie entrepreneurs and keeps our program moving forward.

👉 Take the survey here: https://stthomas.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5BJwNSh1oMMJDEy

Just over a month ago, our Tommiepreneurs took the global stage at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge Finals, turning bold ideas into real-world impact 🌍💡

As summer flies by, we’re still beaming with pride for our students who represented St. Thomas with passion, purpose and entrepreneurial spirit. Congratulations to ALL the participants who are building a better future, one innovation at a time.

Read more in our newsroom story:

Students Turn Ideas Into Action at Fowler Global Social Innovation Finals - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas Entrepreneurs from across the world converged at the University of St. Thomas Minneapolis campus to pitch ideas for a better tomorrow.

Are you an incoming Tommie, or do you know an incoming first-year student? The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship invites you to start your college journey with the Freshman Innovation Immersion on August 26th.

During this full-day event, you will collaborate with fellow first-years from all academic disciplines to develop creative problem-solving skills. Participants compete for cash prizes up to $500 while enjoying the benefits of early campus move-in, complimentary meals throughout the day, a scenic Mississippi River dinner cruise and exclusive Tommiepreneur merchandise.

"It's a fun new experience. A lot of different thinking than I'm used to, but great thinking!" shared a previous participant who had never engaged in entrepreneurial activities before attending this event. Another student emphasized the value of making connections, stating, "It's been a really great opportunity to connect with other freshmen before classes start."

Last year, more than 120 students designed innovative prototypes and learned how to transform unconventional ideas into brilliant solutions. This opportunity is valuable for all incoming students, regardless of whether you plan to study business, engineering, arts, or any other field.

Applications close on July 25. The event is on August 26 at our St. Paul campus. Spaces are limited, so we encourage early registration through TommieLink: https://ow.ly/5HPb50WhNQg.

If you know someone who would benefit from this experience, please tag them in the comments!

The world's next generation of social entrepreneurs converges on Minneapolis this weekend. The University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship is proud to be hosting the 2025 Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge Finals! 🌎

We are welcoming the top 30 finalist teams representing countries across four continents—from Colombia to Rwanda to Hong Kong. Among them are two exceptional St. Thomas teams ready to showcase their innovations on this global stage.

These aren't ordinary business pitches. They're blueprints for a better world—tackling everything from climate change to healthcare access, education inequality to sustainable agriculture and more.

We invite our professional network to join us in welcoming these trailblazers who are proving business can be a force for good.

The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship was proud to recently host our benefactor, Richard M. Schulze, for an inspiring Finding Forward conversation with President Rob Vischer!

As the founder of our school, Dick Schulze firmly believes in entrepreneurship's power to generate effective solutions to societal challenges, create products that enhance quality of life, and build organizations that provide jobs and economic growth.

During the event, he shared how listening transformed his business: "I had 34 different ways to think about this problem. I was so blown away with how people stood up and came with a new perspective." His "10/5 rule" for customer engagement demonstrates how simple human connections build empires.

Schulze also emphasized the pillars that guided his success: valuing employees, supporting community through schools and hospitals, living his faith through service, and embracing continuous learning. His foundation's impact on 23 million lives shows how entrepreneurial thinking combined with core values creates extraordinary impact.

Click here to read the full Newsroom story: https://news.stthomas.edu/finding-forward-business-legend-richard-m-schulze-on-values-that-connect-service-listening-giving-back/

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event celebrating the entrepreneurial mindset that continues to drive our school's mission!

ATTENTION GRADUATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP MAJORS & MINORS! 🎓

Join us for a special celebration in your honor on Tuesday, May 13th, from 12 to 1 PM in ASC Scooters!

We want to celebrate your achievements and equip you with valuable resources as you embark on your post-graduation entrepreneurial journey.

What to expect:
• Free lunch
• Special graduation gift
• Information about alumni resources and support
• Connect with faculty and fellow entrepreneurship graduates
• And MORE!

Please RSVP on TommieLink to secure your spot: https://tommielink.stthomas.edu/event/11232773

We look forward to celebrating with you!

The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship is proud to wrap up a packed weekend of celebrating student entrepreneurship at e-Fest 2025! We were honored to host 25 exceptional student teams from universities across the country for an electrifying three days of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

Congratulations to all teams who participated, and especially to our winners:
🏆 Grand Champion ($50,000): Touchstone — Stanford University
🥈 2nd Place ($30,000): BRCE — Michigan State University
🥉 3rd Place ($20,000): PlayVision — University of California, Berkeley
🏅 4th Place: BiliRoo — Calvin University
🎖️ 5th Place ($10,000): Sentry Sight LLC — California State University, Sacramento
🌟 Double Winner: Let All Girls from Babson College took home both the Impact Award and the Ready for Market Award ($10,000)

None of this would have been possible without the dedicated advisors, expert judges, staff, enthusiastic volunteers, and generous donors. Your commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs is truly inspiring.

The innovation we witnessed from all participating teams has left us energized and excited for the future. The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship is proud to support this community of future business leaders, and we look forward to watching your continued success!

The Schulze School of Entrepreneurship invites you to join us for the final Finding Forward event of the season, featuring our founder and benefactor, Richard M. Schulze, in conversation with President Rob Vischer.

"If we're going to do something, we're going to do it better than anywhere else," says Schulze, whose pursuit of excellence transformed Sound of Music into Best Buy, a multibillion-dollar global retail chain. This same commitment to excellence led to his historic $50 million gift to St. Thomas in 2000—then the largest donation ever reported by a Minnesota university. Schulze's commitment to excellence has led our program to rank among the top 20 entrepreneurship programs nationwide.

In "Forward Together: Innovation, Community, and Social Impact," they'll explore how strong relationships and bridging differences fuel entrepreneurial success—drawing from Schulze's remarkable journey of building one of America's most successful companies.

Schulze visits campus regularly to mentor students and believes "entrepreneurship empowers students to be a whole lot more for themselves than they ever thought they could be." Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a groundbreaking entrepreneur!

Finding Forward with Richard Schulze and President Rob Vischer
When: Friday, April 25 | 7:00-8:30 PM (doors open at 6:30)
Where: Schulze Auditorium, Minneapolis Campus
Admission: Free for students, alumni and friends of the Schulze School
Format: Available in-person or via livestream
Click here to register: https://alumni.stthomas.edu/events/finding-forward/april-2025/index.html

🌸 CELEBRATING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: FLORA TURNS ONE! 🌸

Our hearts are full after celebrating the one-year anniversary of Grow With Flora this weekend! What began in a 100-minute hackathon idea at our Women's Equity Hackathon has flourished into a powerful platform with a mission to empower young girls.

Co-founders and Tommie alumnae Justina Palmer and Payton Maas have been on an incredible journey this past year. They've wowed judges and audiences at competitions like the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge and the 2025 Ignite Cup, earning recognition that reflects their innovative vision and dedication.

They're now preparing to launch their MVP in June, with plans for an AI chatbot feature in January 2026, designed to give young girls accurate, age-appropriate answers about puberty and growing up—creating a safe space for those questions that might otherwise go unasked.

At the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, supporting women entrepreneurs isn't just something we do—it's who we are. We believe that when women like Justina and Payton are empowered to solve problems through entrepreneurship, our entire community benefits. Their work embodies our commitment to advancing the common good through innovative, purpose-driven ventures.

From that initial spark to watching them build a platform that will change young lives, it's been a privilege to be part of their entrepreneurial journey. We can't wait to see how Flora continues to grow and impact the world!

Congratulations, Justina and Payton! The Schulze School is proud to stand behind women entrepreneurs who are creating positive change in the world. 💪💐

The Countdown to e-Fest 2025 Has Begun!

In just a few weeks, the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship will once again transform the University of St. Thomas Minneapolis campus into a hub of entrepreneurial energy as we welcome talented students from colleges across the nation.

Over the years, our campus has witnessed remarkable innovation as hundreds of students from dozens of universities have gathered to pitch their ventures and compete for life-changing funding. From medical breakthroughs to sustainable solutions, e-Fest has showcased the incredible potential of collegiate entrepreneurs who embody our mission to advance the common good through innovation.

As Schulze School Associate Dean Danielle Ailts Campeau explains: "e-Fest is more than just a pitch competition. It's a weekend celebrating entrepreneurial thinkers, providing innovative students opportunities to network, engage in professional development workshops from start-up experts, and the opportunity to gain media attention in their local communities."

St. Thomas has proudly watched our own students shine throughout the years, demonstrating how our values of personal attention and meaningful impact translate into real-world ventures. In 2018, Meghan Sharkus and Jackie Page won with ExpressionMed, a venture dedicated to improving insulin kits for children with diabetes—Sharkus continues as CEO today! Their journey exemplifies how the Schulze School empowers students to identify problems that matter and create sustainable solutions.

In 2022, DryvnAI represented St. Thomas with their solution to help ride-share drivers increase earnings through demand forecasts. The talented team included Sam Richter '23 and Biel Wiel '22. As Wiel shared, "E-Fest can be a way for us to get the resources and connections we need to turn our vision into a reality... I'll get to meet student entrepreneurs going through the same journey as I am." This reflects our commitment to building a supportive community where innovation thrives through collaboration.

That same year, Local4Local's Hao Taing '22 and Jamie Tjornehoj '22 created initiatives supporting Cambodian communities. Hao's vision perfectly embodies the Schulze School's commitment to creating global impact through purpose-driven entrepreneurship. His $20,000 Innovation Challenge win helped transform his vision for worldwide change into lasting reality, and today, Taing remains the president of Local4Local!

In 2023, Epiblock secured $30,000 as runner-up with their innovative medical device for nosebleeds, while Chemco won the Pitch Slam with their battery recycling concept. Gabriel Riegert from Chemco shared wisdom that resonates with all aspiring innovators: "Be ready to fail, fail often and then keep going." This resilient mindset is exactly what we cultivate at the Schulze School—the courage to take risks and persevere through challenges.

Most recently, Maria Johnson, Montserrat Blanco Lopez, and Aleia Wilbur represented St. Thomas with Open Door Code in 2024, making coding accessible for blind and low-vision children. As Johnson reflected, "It's been really awesome to grow as businesswomen together." Their work exemplifies our commitment to inclusive innovation and creating opportunities for all—core values that drive everything we do at St. Thomas.

As we prepare to host e-Fest 2025, we invite our entire community to witness the excitement and innovation that will fill our campus. Come experience the energy of young entrepreneurs pitching their ideas and see the next generation of business leaders in action—students who are learning to blend purpose with profit and create ventures that advance the common good.

Mark your calendars for April 24-26 and join us as we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that drives positive change in our world!

We are proud to share that the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas has been recognized in AACSB's 2025 Innovations That Inspire for our comprehensive collaboration with U.S. Bank!

Our partnership with U.S. Bank is transforming business education by giving students hands-on experience with real-world challenges. At events like the Idea Jam, students collaborate on actual business problems, such as how to engage younger generations in banking.

Dean of the Opus College of Business, Laura Dunham, emphasized that the Idea Jam aligns perfectly with the mission of business education. "That's what business schools should be teaching students: how to be entrepreneurial thinkers; care about the people they serve and think deeply about the problems they're trying to solve."

Dakota Crow, head of innovation programs at U.S. Bank, shared, "The Schulze Innovation Scholars are leaning in and really doing the work. Tommies have been amazing to work with."

We're proud to create meaningful educational experiences that prepare our students for career success!

Learn more: https://www.aacsb.edu/about-us/advocacy/member-spotlight/innovations-that-inspire/2025/university-of-st-thomas

Twenty-five years after Dick Schulze’s transformative $50 million gift to establish the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, his vision continues to shape entrepreneurial education at St. Thomas today. Entrepreneurship is now the university’s fifth-largest major, with the Schulze School ranked first in Minnesota since 2020 and among the top 20 nationally.

Schulze's vision emphasizes that entrepreneurship is for everyone. Students learn valuable skills from entrepreneurship classes and competitions that are useful in any job, even if they never start their own business. “Entrepreneurship isn't just about starting businesses; it’s about understanding trends, networking, and adapting to change,” he said.

The university shares his goal of bringing entrepreneurial thinking to all students. More than half (51%) of St. Thomas 2024 graduates took at least one entrepreneurship course. The Schulze School welcomes students from all majors to join business competitions and offers scholarships and other unique opportunities to engage the St. Thomas community.

"My father has always been dedicated to helping others learn and succeed," said his daughter Debra, who graduated from St. Thomas and is also an entrepreneur. "He takes great pride in the new generations of entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs coming out of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship."

Learn more about Dick Schulze's lasting impact in the Newsroom: https://ow.ly/AQxV50VoYBm