Students and community members chat at an Institute for Entrepreneurship event. Members of the student venture Kasooli pose for a picture with Institute for Entrepreneurship leadership after winning second place and $3,000 in funding at the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase. Students have a discussion at an Institute for Entrepreneurship event.
Empowering entrepreneurs and innovators.
CSU student Sam Abdul presents his venture, Troop, at the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase.

The Institute for Entrepreneurship (I4E) is a hub for innovation, taking a zero-barriers approach to entrepreneurship by offering free programming to all CSU affiliates and Colorado community members. Our three-stage Venture Development Pathway (VDP) prepares learners to bring their ideas to market successfully. I4E helps participants build an entrepreneurial mindset, launch successful ventures, and connect with experienced business leaders and strategic partners to validate, incubate, and accelerate their startups.


Driving Innovation. Scaling Impact.

The Institute is also a great hub for resources and fresh ideas. You can stay connected with the Institute by following us on LinkedIn and Instagram and signing up for our newsletter.

Entrepreneurship in Action

 

Sam Abdul poses for a picture with Institute for Entrepreneurship staff after winning first place in the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase.

Students Win Thousands Pitching  Startups At I4E Event

An all-in-one event platform, a sustainable menstrual product and a prosthetic foot were among the winning startups at the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase.

 

CSU students participate in a Venture Validator corort hosted by the Institute for Entrepreneurship.

I4E Receives $750K Grant To Build Community

I4E was among just more than 20 collegiate institutions to receive grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support community innovation.

 

Institute For Entrepreneurship staff member Aubrey Kruse

Creativity Comes Full Circle For Institute Staff

Aubrey Kruse utilizes her Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor to pursue her passion for illustration and help others develop the tools to achieve their own creative visions.

 

Venture Development Pathway


Stage 1- Test Your Idea

The Venture Validator (VV) is the starting point for turning an idea into a viable business. Offered each fall and spring, this 5-week, 5-session virtual cohort program takes learners through all the steps to evaluate the potential of their ideas and get their ventures off the ground. The VV is free and open to all.

Stage 2- Pitch Your Venture

The Venture Rams Business Showcase and Mini Pitch Fest give CSU students dynamic platforms to pitch their ideas, build confidence, and compete for cash prizes. Held every April and December, I4E’s pitch events connect aspiring entrepreneurs with business experts, faculty, staff, and community members to gain valuable feedback and sharpen their pitch skills.

Stage 3 – Build Your Business

The Petersen Family Student Venture Accelerator is a summer program that helps CSU students and recent alumni take concrete steps to begin business operations through hands-on support and up to $5,000 in funding.

Learn more about these programs and others on our Programs page.

 

"Last year I invested in a $5,000 year-long coaching program to help me grow and scale my business. I attended every Venture Validator lecture and learned more in those few short weeks than I did in an entire year in my $5,000 program. It was the first program I ever participated in where I felt like I was getting truly actionable steps to move me and my business forward."
- Heather C. (Venture Validator, Cohort 22)