HERB KELLEHER ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
HERB KELLEHER
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
Empowering Longhorns to Change the World
Through Innovative Ideas and Entrepreneurial Skills put into Action
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center is dedicated to igniting world-changing ideas. We do this by promoting the development of entrepreneurial skills and supporting exploration of the ways these skills can be applied to careers as founders or innovators within established firms. Tap into our wealth of inspiration, resources, and opportunities to get started.
Empowering Longhorns to Change the World
Through Innovative Ideas and Entrepreneurial Skills put into Action
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center is dedicated to igniting world-changing ideas. We do this by promoting the development of entrepreneurial skills and supporting exploration of the ways these skills can be applied to careers as founders or innovators within established firms. Tap into our wealth of inspiration, resources, and opportunities to get started.
Empowering Longhorns to Change the World
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center is dedicated to igniting world-changing ideas. We do this by promoting the development of entrepreneurial skills and supporting exploration of the ways these skills can be applied to careers as founders or innovators within established firms. Tap into our wealth of inspiration, resources, and opportunities to get started.
"Our tagline here at The University of Texas is 'What Starts Here Changes the World.' I can't think of a better way to change the world than through innovation and entrepreneurship."
LUIS MARTINS
DIRECTOR
"Our tagline here at The University of Texas is 'What Starts Here Changes the World.' I can't think of a better way to change the world than through innovation and entrepreneurship."
LUIS MARTINS
DIRECTOR
INSPIRATION
Start here to attend events designed to foster an innovative spirit in all UT students. Get your entry into the UT Startup Scene at a Startup Coffee Connect or meet startup founders at Entrepreneurship Live!
RESOURCES
Start here for immersive and experiential resources for any stage of business development. Orient yourself in the UT Startup Ecosystem.
OPPORTUNITIES
Start here for programming built to empower student entrepreneurs. Validate your idea with the Forty Acres Founders Pre-Accelerator, secure funding at Freed Family Pitch Competition, + more!
Entrepreneur In Residence Mentor Sessions
Entrepreneur in Residence Mentor Sessions
In-Person and Virtual 30 Minute Sessions Available Now!
Book a mentorship session with Quoc V. Tran (McCombs MBA, 2022) today! With an extensive background as an entrepreneur and CFO, Quoc brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table.
Quoc V. Tran is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder based in Austin, Texas, where he has made significant contributions to the startup ecosystem. He has established himself as a technical and financial advisor, providing invaluable guidance to small businesses and startups seeking to navigate the complexities of growth and sustainability.
Quoc is currently available for 30 minute in-person and virtual meetings, schedule your session today!
Freed Family Pitch Competition Finals 2023
Thurs, 10.26.23 | 3-7 PM | AT&T Conference Center Room 204
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center invites you to join us for the Freed Family Pitch Competition Finals 2023!
The Freed Family Pitch Competition (FFPC) is an annual competitive funding opportunity for undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Austin. Hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at the McCombs School of Business, FFPC is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for fully immersive learning – and a chance for student teams to walk away with some serious cash.
This pitch competition is all about never settling, pushing boundaries and testing new ideas. Come see if the next generation of industry leaders have what it takes to break the mold!
Upcoming Events
Check back at the beginning of the Fall Semester for more information on upcoming events!
8th Annual Intro to the UT/Austin Startup Ecosystem TradeShow
Mon, 9.25.23 | 4:30-6:30 PM | WCP Ballroom
Come immerse yourself in the Austin startup scene at the 8th annual Intro to the UT/Austin Startup Ecosystem Tradeshow!
Hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, the Startup Ecosystem Tradeshow offers the opportunity to discover the diverse range of entrepreneurial initiatives and connect with dedicated mentors who are committed to helping young founders succeed. With 25+ resources tabling at the event, you'll have a chance to connect with a wide range of dedicated experts.
October Startup Coffee Connect
Tues, 10.3.23 | 10-11 AM | CBA 3.302
Join the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center and the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute for Startup Coffee Connect, a casual networking event for all Longhorn entrepreneurs. Come pitch ideas to other founders, learn what’s happening in the UT startup scene, and connect with other ambitious minds over a complimentary coffee bar and breakfast tacos.
Freed Family Pitch Competition Finals 2023
Thurs, 10.26.23 | 3-7 PM | AT&T Conference Center Room 204
The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center invites you to join us for the Freed Family Pitch Competition Finals 2023!
The Freed Family Pitch Competition (FFPC) is an annual competitive funding opportunity for undergraduate students at The University of Texas at Austin. Hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center at the McCombs School of Business, FFPC is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for fully immersive learning – and a chance for student teams to walk away with some serious cash.
This pitch competition is all about never settling, pushing boundaries and testing new ideas. Come see if the next generation of industry leaders have what it takes to break the mold!
November Startup Coffee Connect
Wed, 11.8.23 | 10-11 AM | FAC101D
Sip, chat, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs at Startup Coffee Connect, hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center and The LaunchPad! Join us for a morning of networking and idea-sharing over a cup of coffee and free breakfast tacos! See you on 11.8.23 at 10:00am in FAC 101D!
Open Applications
Freed Family Pitch Competition
Application Deadline: Sunday, 9.17.23 at 11:59 PM
Are You Ready to Break the Mold?
Calling all student founders! The Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center is looking for big ideas and the passionate students behind them to compete in the Freed Family Pitch Competition!
The competition, previously known as DisrupTexas, offers a chance to hone your business strategy and opens the door for professional feedback and lasting relationships with mentors. Are you ready to break the mold? Apply today to pitch your startup in competition for $60k in cash and prizes!
Forty Acres Founders Program Spring '24 Cohort
Application Deadline: Tues, 10.31.23 at 11:59 PM
Do you want to position yourself and your ideas for maximum success? Vet your business idea with rigorous product-market fit and customer discovery in the Forty Acres Founders Program at McCombs!
The Forty Acres Founders Program is a semester long practicum designed to guide undergraduate and graduate student founders through studying potential customers, improving their product, and establishing product-market fit. Founders leave the program with their product or service positioned for success within the marketplace.
Throughout the semester, founders will learn to vet their ideas through rigorous customer research, coach up their fundamental entrepreneurship skillset, and develop tools for building a product/service that appropriately fits a market need.
This program is completely free and may be used to complete 3 credit hours of coursework.
A $1 Million Boost to UT’s Venture Culture
Adding fuel to The University of Texas at Austin’s startup engine, alumnus William “Billy” Freed, BBA ’81, and his family have given $1 million to the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center in the McCombs School of Business...
$20k in Funding Funneled into UT Austin Startup Ecosystem Through Forty Acres Founders Pitch Competition
On Thursday, April 20th, 2023, four students of The University of Texas at Austin took the stage to pitch their startups to an elite panel of judges to compete for funding from the collective $20,000 prize pool...
Christian College Student Sparks Inspiration for a Startup through Finding Church Community
Meet Trenton Balcombe, a second-year undergraduate finance major at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) from Frisco, Texas. He is also the founder of ChurchSearch, an online platform that connects people to churches by helping them narrow down the options to find their best fit...
How This Student Female Founder is Solving Women’s Reproductive Health Misinformation
Meet Alyssa Le, a third-year undergraduate student in the Business Honors Program and Management Information Systems major pursuing a computer science certificate at The University of Texas at Austin. She’s also the founder of the Locket, an innovative online resource that provides menstrual and sexual education to women...
A Beginner's Guide to Engaging in Entrepreneurship
The thought of developing a new business completely from scratch may pose many thoughts of disinclination and uncertainty, especially when solely focusing on the potential obstacles and failures. Conversely, concentrating on the possible outcomes of social impact and groundbreaking innovation through entrepreneurship undeniably transforms the way we approach startup development. This reframing can ignite you with encouragement, optimism, and dedication.
A $1 Million Boost to UT’s Venture Culture
Adding fuel to The University of Texas at Austin’s startup engine, alumnus William “Billy” Freed, BBA ’81, and his family have given $1 million to the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center in the McCombs School of Business...
$20k in Funding Funneled into UT Austin Startup Ecosystem Through Forty Acres Founders Pitch Competition
On Thursday, April 20th, 2023, four students of The University of Texas at Austin took the stage to pitch their startups to an elite panel of judges to compete for funding from the collective $20,000 prize pool...
Christian College Student Sparks Inspiration for a Startup through Finding Church Community
Meet Trenton Balcombe, a second-year undergraduate finance major at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) from Frisco, Texas. He is also the founder of ChurchSearch, an online platform that connects people to churches by helping them narrow down the options to find their best fit...
How This Student Female Founder is Solving Women’s Reproductive Health Misinformation
Meet Alyssa Le, a third-year undergraduate student in the Business Honors Program and Management Information Systems major pursuing a computer science certificate at The University of Texas at Austin. She’s also the founder of the Locket, an innovative online resource that provides menstrual and sexual education to women...
A Beginner's Guide to Engaging in Entrepreneurship
The thought of developing a new business completely from scratch may pose many thoughts of disinclination and uncertainty, especially when solely focusing on the potential obstacles and failures. Conversely, concentrating on the possible outcomes of social impact and groundbreaking innovation through entrepreneurship undeniably transforms the way we approach startup development. This reframing can ignite you with encouragement, optimism, and dedication.