Hands-On Learning
Explore the ways that our students practice entrepreneurship while at ACU.
Entrepreneurial Experiences
Wildcat Ventures
Wildcat Ventures is a portfolio of student-run legacy businesses that are passed to new leadership teams each academic year. Students gain hands-on experience building and sustaining profitable ventures while developing the skills needed to lead and scale real businesses.
Founder’s Club
Founder’s Club is a community of students who have launched their own businesses using personal capital. The program fosters connection and belonging among student founders while providing access to dedicated workspace, pop-up opportunities, regular meetings, and occasional funding to support business growth.
Springboard Pitch Competition
The Springboard Pitch Competition provides students with the opportunity to pitch original business ideas to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. Participants receive feedback, mentorship, and exposure while competing for funding to help advance their ventures.
ACU Angel Network
The ACU Angel Network connects accredited investors with promising early-stage ventures while creating meaningful learning opportunities for students. Through the Student Analyst Program, selected students gain hands-on experience evaluating real startup deals, conducting market and financial analysis, and participating in investor discussions.
“Running my jewelry business while in college has been a blast! I have gotten to apply so many things that I have learned in the classroom directly to my business. It has been such a great experience of trial and error, growth, and hands on learning!”
-Ellie Meredith, Student Business Owner | Keepsake Modern
Building Connection
Trips
The Griggs Center offers three signature experiential trips— from ACU Spark in Austin to Fall Break in Nashville and Spring Break in New York City, each trip connects students to alumni, founders, and industry leaders while strengthening community within the ACU Entrepreneurship network.
Speaker Series
The Entrepreneurship Speaker Series invites entrepreneurs to share their real-world journeys, offering students an authentic look at the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. These stories help students relate, learn, and feel empowered as they pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions.
LaunchABI
LaunchABI connects ACU students with Abilene-based founders and businesses to solve real-world challenges. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and immersive learning, students gain practical experience while supporting the growth of local ventures. LaunchABI strengthens the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem by pairing student talent with real business needs, creating value for both students and founders.
