Forcht CENTER FOR Entrepreneurship
Grow. Build. Expand. Create. Innovate. Develop. Lead.
If any of these words appear prominently in your professional or personal goals, The Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship is for you. Established in 2008 with a generous alumni gift from Corbin, Kentucky-based entrepreneurs Marion and Terry Forcht, the Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Louisville College of Business is a comprehensive suite of programs that develop and nurture entrepreneurial skills, experiences and opportunities. These programs have received favorable reviews from U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, EntrePoint, Entrepreneur Magazine, Latin Trade Magazine, and the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Our unique suite of nationally ranked graduate and undergraduate programs is designed for working professionals who need to lead innovative corporate teams to new product, service and technology breakthroughs; students who want to discover the pathways to creating new, successful ventures that expand the marketplace and perhaps change the world; and scholars whose research may inspire and guide the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship includes:
Entrepreneurship MBA
This top-ranked specialty MBA is nationally respected because of the quality of its faculty and the performance of its students. It’s the best choice for highly motivated students who want to create new ventures or use innovative
thinking to help grow or re-create existing companies. The 20-month cohortbased program also is available with an entrepreneurial internship. More information on the Entrepreneurship MBA.
PhD in Entrepreneurship
One of only six such programs in the U.S., our degree is for scholars who want to initiate extraordinary research or teach entrepreneurial principles at the highest levels. More information on the Entrepreneurship PhD.
Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Minor
For undergraduate students with appropriate goals, motivations and interests, this modular program is an ideal introduction to entrepreneurial and intrepreneurial thinking (corporate entrepreneurship), complete with real-world experiences. More information on the Minor in Entrepreneurship.
The Cardinal Challenge
This business plan competition offers teams from top MBA programs in the U.S. more than $30,000 in prize money and a chance for an automatic bid to Moot Corp Global Business Plan Competition. More on the Cardinal Challenge.
The Ballard Morton New Venture Competition
This annual internal business plan competition is for teams of MBA students with innovative business concepts that hope to win start-up capital to take their ideas to the next level and compete in regional and international competitions. Visit the website for The Ballard Morton New Venture Competition.
The Cardinal Venture Fund
Included in the College of Business’s comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship is a venture capital resource for students and alumni who develop new companies. Our investment fund supports new business start-ups by alumni and students. More information on The Cardinal Venture Fund.
Small Business Institute
This program supports regional economic development interests by pairing working professional MBA students with small business owners to help address the challenges of growth and competition. More info on the Small Business Institute.
Family Business Center
This professional resource including faculty and business leaders provides consulting and hands-on assistance for the unique challenges family-run businesses face, including family governance, leadership roles, ownership structure, estate planning/succession and sibling rivalries. Visit the Family Business Center website.
The Entrepreneurship Council
This working council is composed of alumni and other local business leaders who have achieved significant entrepreneurial success and are committed to supporting initiatives that maintain and improve the entrepreneurial focus of the college. The Entrepreneurship Council web page.
The College of Business is a sponsoring member of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which provides training and consulting services to for-profit small business owners as well as entrepreneurs wishing to start a small business. The organization also offers high-quality small business seminars and workshops at minimal cost. Visit Greater Louisville Small Business Development Center.
Venture Club of Louisville
The College of Business is a sponsoring member of the Venture Club of Louisville. Founded in 1995, the Club brings entrepreneurs and investors together in a professional yet relaxed forum. The monthly meetings offer both groups the opportunity to make valuable contacts, exchange information, and pursue mutual business opportunities. An important purpose of the Club is to help facilitate and encourage the expansion of business and commercial investment activities in the region. Teams of entrepreneurs from the College's MBA programs regularly present new business concepts at club meetings. Scholarships are available for Entrepreneurship MBA students to attend these monthly meetings. Website for the Venture Club of Louisville.
Association for Corporate Growth
The College of Business often supports students’ attendance at events hosted by ACG, which is the premier global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at over 12,000 members from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 500, Fortune1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 53 chapters in North America and Europe. Members recognize the multiple benefits of networking within an influential community of executives growing public and private companies worldwide. More information on the Association for Corporate Growth.
Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship News Stories
College highlights global success of Entrepreneurship MBA students (9/11)
Global Champions! UofL’s TNG Pharmaceuticals named ‘best in the world’ at Venture Labs (5/2011)
U of L entrepreneurs win grand prize at $1 million 2011 Rice Business Plan Competition (4/2011)
Mark Crane joins UofL Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship (3-21-11)
Forcht Center entrepreneurship students sweep top awards at 2010 Idea State (4/2010)
New Forcht Center scores a season of extraordinary success (4/2009)
Forcht legacy gift will expand entrepreneurship excellence (10-2008)
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Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship 
