Entrepreneurship Major
What will I learn as an entrepreneurship major?
Core principles
Learn to turn ideas into viable businesses by identifying customer needs, conducting market research, testing value propositions, and securing funding.
In-demand skills
Develop the skills to spot opportunities, build teams, shape and test ideas, and find the resources needed to launch and scale a new venture.
Advanced concepts
Prepare to lead with an entrepreneurial mindset and manage new ventures and products in growing companies. Value diverse perspectives and collaboration.
What’s the entrepreneurship major experience?
Top left: Two members of the Women in Entrepreneurship student organization present on the number of women who receive startup funding and are CEOs and founders. Top right: Transcend UW connects students with campus resources to become an entrepreneur. The student organization fosters the entrepreneurial mindset through founder panels, pitch workshops, networking opportunities, and more. Bottom: Three undergraduate business students meet to discuss their work ahead of the Wisconsin School of Business’ Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition. Photo credits: Women in Entrepreneurship, Transcend UW, Paul L. Newby II/WSB
Top left: Two members of the Women in Entrepreneurship student organization present on the number of women who receive startup funding and are CEOs and founders. Bottom left: Transcend UW connects students with campus resources to become an entrepreneur. The student organization fosters the entrepreneurial mindset through founder panels, pitch workshops, networking opportunities, and more. Right: Three undergraduate business students meet to discuss their work ahead of the Wisconsin School of Business’ Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition. Photo credits: Women in Entrepreneurship, Transcend UW, Paul L. Newby II/WSB
Average Starting Salary for Entrepreneurship Majors
Employment Rate
Companies That Hire Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Majors
What are popular entrepreneurship jobs?
- Financial analyst
- Founder
- Management consultant
- Marketer
- Product manager
Common Entrepreneurship Career Paths
Entrepreneurs who start something new have an idea for a product, service, or nonprofit that solves a problem. They usually build a high-growth organization from the ground up based on an innovative idea. This requires a holistic understanding of business and an innovative mindset.
- Starting a business: An individual has an idea for a product or service that solves a problem. Their long-term vision is to build a high-growth business and capture market share with a new, innovative idea. Many entrepreneurs start their own business after gaining experience at another firm.
- Social entrepreneurship: Transforming the world by solving large-scale problems by creating a product, service, or nonprofit that improves lives and addresses social issues.
This entrepreneurial path focuses on innovating and improving within an existing organization or working as an advisor or investor. It requires an innovative mindset and understanding of business, but not starting something from scratch.
- Corporate entrepreneurship (new product development/innovation): An employee acts like an entrepreneur within an organization by thinking creatively and turning ideas and plans into action. This allows them to innovate and create new ventures or products within the organization.
- Consulting/venture capital: Working directly with entrepreneurs to identify market needs, expand revenue, improve the product or service, and identify acquisition opportunities.
- Small business leadership: A small business is typically a sole proprietorship or partnership that operates locally. It offers the benefit of being your own boss. Some family-owned businesses and franchise owners fall into this category.
Certificates Commonly Paired With an Entrepreneurship Major
For jobs such as operations and finance coordinator, founder, co-founder, business development coordinator, business consultant, and business analyst.
View the accounting certificateFor jobs such as international business entrepreneur, export manager, and global supply chain manager.
View the business Spanish certificateFor jobs such as tech startup founder, business intelligence consultant, and data product manager.
View the data science certificateFor jobs such as social entrepreneur, economic development consultant, and impact investment manager.
View the development economics certificateFor jobs such as hospitality and food service management, nonprofit and social impact careers, and food industry policy and advocacy careers.
View the food systems certificateFor jobs such as organic business owner, sustainability consultant, and ag-tech innovator.
View the organic agriculture certificateFor jobs such as green consultant, eco-innovation specialist, and corporate sustainability manager.
View the sustainability certificateMaking an Impact Beyond Business
Our students and alumni are innovators. They start their own ventures and brands. They push boundaries. They pursue that idea that just won’t quit.
Creating Community
CJ Wilkerson (BBA ’25)
Founder and CEO, Croesus
Washington, D.C.
To CJ, business is about people. He runs two businesses from UW–Madison–a barbershop and an apparel line, Croesus. Each provides a sense of community: the barbershop, a safe place for clients to talk; Croesus, a brand that symbolizes shared values.
Changing the Game
Noe Vital (BBA ’15)
CEO and Co-Founder, Vibez Golf Club
San Diego
Noe is making golf more accessible. He co-founded Vibez Golf Club, a startup that’s removing barriers to the sport. He’s driven to diversify and generate new interest in golf, particularly among communities that are not exposed to it.
Uplifting Her Community
Jayla Thompson (BBA ’23)
Founder, Shape with Jay
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jayla wants students to know they can have a healthy lifestyle. As a student, she founded the wellness brand Shape with Jay. Through training, meal planning, and social media, she encourages students—especially Black women—to establish healthy habits.
Starting Companies to Give Back
Jake Wood (BBA ’05)
Founder, Team Rubicon; Founder, Groundswell
Los Angeles
Jake Wood is reinventing philanthropy. He founded Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that helps communities hit by disaster. Then founded Groundswell, a platform for individuals and companies to oversee volunteering and charitable giving.
Empowering Others Through Wellness
Reena Vokoun (BBA ’98)
Founder and CEO, Passion Fit
San Diego
Reena founded Passion Fit by combining her lifelong passion for health and fitness with her years of professional business experience. She brings fitness, health, and wellness tools to companies, individuals, schools, and nonprofits.
Applied Learning Opportunities
Case competitions
Put your business skills to the test in national case competitions where you solve real-world challenges or case studies. Showcase your analytical, problem-solving, and presentation skills. Competitions include our very own annual Idea to Aisle Pitch Competition hosted by the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Happi Co., founded by WSB alumni.
On-campus events
Build your entrepreneurial mindset through the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship‘s workshops, events, and partnerships. The Wisconsin School of Business center helps all students across campus build entrepreneurial skills to excel in any business environment. Also attend employer coffee chats, industry panels, and career fairs to grow your network and sharpen your skills.
Building community
Be part of StartUp, an entrepreneurship-focused residential community located in Sellery Hall. Each year, 65 students from a variety of majors live and learn together. Students work to bring their business ideas to life, network with peers, and compete for funding.
Entrepreneurship Student Organizations
Popular Master’s Programs for Entrepreneurship Majors
MA in Arts and Creative Enterprise Leadership
Be the strategic leader community organizations need. Learn to be an innovative arts administrator, nonprofit executive, or social entrepreneur in this one-year program.
MS in Accounting and Business Analysis
Take your accounting skills up a notch and advance in your career. Gain the technical know-how, data skills, and real-world experience in this one-year program.
MS in Business Analytics
Excel in a data-driven business world. Harness the power of data to address complex questions and contribute strategic insights in any industry in this one-year program.
MS in Financial Management and Accounting
Be the go-to financial expert. Have an influential career in financial analysis, advising, or management by gaining the technical expertise and skills in this one-year program.
Who can help me with my entrepreneurship major?
Career coach
Use Starfish to make an appointment with your career coach.
Pathway consultants
