Have an idea?
We have the program to help you build it!
The Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard
Center for Entrepreneurship was founded in 1996 at UC Denver's Business School
to foster economic development in Denver and the Rocky Mountain region. Richard
and Pamela Bard's generous endowment supports a program that prepares future
leaders for success in any business venture.
The Bards envisioned a casual, friendly place where the brightest minds
in business, including faculty, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students could
freely interact and thereby foster innovative thinking. Such interaction takes place not just in the
classroom, but in the new incubation space and in the open lobby areas in the
new Business School Building.
Why Entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is the ability to marshal resources to seize new business opportunities which have uncertain outcomes. This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response to a perceived opportunity. Entrepreneurship is the engine that fuels economic development both domestically and globally. Many of the wealthiest people in the world started their careers as entrepreneurs.
One of the major advantages of becoming an entrepreneur is that you are your own boss; the rewards of your hard work and success are yours to enjoy. The limited resources, that often plague start-up businesses, force one to make smart decisions and sharpen one’s decision-making skills.
If you are a member of a large organization, understanding entrepreneurship allows you to formulate business plans for new projects and compete for organizational resources. Corporate intrapreneurship is predicted to become ever more prevalent in the 21st century. Corporations realize that to market their product in culturally sensitive markets, often in developing countries, where micro-finance is increasingly practiced, they need to think small, not big.
Why the Bard Center?
The Bard Center for Entrepreneurship provides students with the education and resources to allow them to launch more successful ventures:
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World class curriculum: Classes at the Bard center are taught by expert faculty and involve renowned guest speakers (e.g. Jake Jabs, Charlie Streinbruick, Rutt Bridges, and John Hickenlooper). |
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Two certificates to choose from: Anyone (with an undergraduate degree) who takes three Bard Center classes is awarded a certificate in either Entrepreneurship or Bioinnovation and Entrepreneurship - no need to be admitted to UC Denver! |
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Add entrepreneurship to a degree: Students receiving a MBA or a MS in Management can add an emphasis in entrepreneurship by taking four Bard Center classes. Students enrolled in the MS in Information Systems program can specialize in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship. |
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Excellent support: The advisory board of the Bard center is closely involved with mentoring students, and regular speaker events provide students with exposure to truly great entrepreneurs. |
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Business Plan Competition: Each year in June, the Bard Center hosts an annual Business Plan Competition open to early-stage Colorado companies that include a University of Colorado student or alumni. The goal is to recognize and reward the ventures most likely to grow Colorado’s economy. Over $50,000 in cash and in-kind prizes have been awarded each year. |
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Venture Fund: Students have the opportunity to learn the nuances of venture capitalism, via the Rutt Bridges Venture Fund. |
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Scholarships: The Bard center offers several scholarships each semester to students enrolled in graduate entrepreneurship courses. |
Come start or grow your business with the Bard Center. We invite you to explore what's possible.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.