SLU Center for Entrepreneurship

Have an idea, research project or problem you’re excited about, but aren’t sure what comes next?

SLULaunch helps students take ideas beyond the classroom and explore what they could become. Through interdisciplinary teams, mentorship and hands on experience, you’ll learn how to identify problems, validate solutions, build prototypes, research markets and develop your idea into something real.

You don’t need a fully developed business or even a clear plan. Just bring your curiosity and your idea.

The first SLULaunch session is Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in Cook Hall 230. Join us to learn more, meet other students and get started.

Interested? Submit the interest form here: https://loom.ly/3pf5V7s

You can participate for 1 credit hour or as an extracurricular. No experience in entrepreneurship is required.

Last night, we celebrated the culmination of the 2026 Saint Louis University New Venture Accelerator!

Over the course of 14 weeks, this year’s cohort spent the summer developing their ventures, strengthening their business models, working alongside mentors, and preparing to take their ideas to the next level. At Demo Day, CivicKit, GIA-Tech, Mesh and MORPH pitched their ventures to a crowd of more than 100 industry leaders, local business professionals, investors and members of Saint Louis University leadership.

We were honored to hear from SLU President Edward Feser and Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Johnson as we celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s founders.

This year’s cohort represents the incredible range of innovation taking place at SLU, from building stronger connections between people and communities to advancing medical technology, improving public works and making robotics education more accessible.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support these founders as they build, learn and grow. We have seen founders from previous NVA cohorts go on to raise funding, earn national recognition and build successful companies, and we are excited to see where this year’s cohort goes next.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s program and Demo Day possible, including our mentors, donors, judges and the entire team at the Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship. Your time, expertise and support make opportunities like this possible for our student entrepreneurs.

And thank you to everyone who joined us for Demo Day. We look forward to continuing to celebrate and support the next generation of SLU entrepreneurs!

The Saint Louis University New Venture Accelerator provides founders with the mentorship, resources and hands on experience to strengthen their ideas, develop key business skills and build meaningful connections that support long term growth.

Join us on Aug. 11 for New Venture Accelerator Demo Day to hear this year's cohort pitch their ventures and celebrate the culmination of the 14 week accelerator.

Register today: https://loom.ly/z00Bm9U

The Saint Louis University New Venture Accelerator empowers founders with the mentorship, resources and hands-on experience to transform promising ideas into growing ventures.

Join us on Aug. 11 for New Venture Accelerator Demo Day, where this year's cohort will showcase the progress they've made and pitch their ventures at the culmination of the 14-week accelerator.

Register today: https://loom.ly/z00Bm9U

Last week, we wrapped up the 22nd year of the Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy!

Over the course of the week, students worked together to develop their ideas while learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, from understanding customer needs and building a business model to creating a pitch. Along the way, they learned from mentors, collaborated with their teammates, and grew as leaders and problem solvers.

The week culminated in Pitch Day, where four teams presented the ideas they had built throughout the academy. Their creativity, hard work, and confidence were inspiring to see, and each team delivered an impressive presentation.

Congratulations to our first place team, all of this year's participants, and our judges for making this year's academy a wonderful celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Saint Louis University New Venture Accelerator equips founders with the mentorship, resources and practical experience to turn promising ideas into growing ventures.

Join us on Aug. 11 for New Venture Accelerator Demo Day and hear this year's cohort pitch their startups while celebrating the culmination of the 14-week accelerator.

Register today: https://loom.ly/z00Bm9U

The first two days of the 2026 Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy are off to a great start!

This week, high school students have been learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through interactive workshops and conversations with experienced entrepreneurs and innovators. So far, they've explored design thinking, innovation, customer discovery and the art of pitching an idea while beginning to develop their own business concepts.

Students have also had the opportunity to hear from inspiring guest speakers, including Michael Orosz-Fagen from Mesh, and participate in hands-on activities like the Saint Louis University Center for Additive Manufacturing keychain design workshop.

We can't wait to see these ideas continue to grow as students prepare for Friday's pitch competition!

The New Venture Accelerator helps founders sharpen their ideas, strengthen their businesses and prepare for growth. See the results for yourself at New Venture Accelerator Demo Day, where this year's cohort will pitch their ventures and share what they've accomplished throughout the program.

Register today: https://loom.ly/z00Bm9U