INNOVATION, DESIGN AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Innovation is more than having a great idea: It’s learning how to think differently, recognize opportunities, understand customer needs and turn ideas into meaningful solutions.
These skills are valuable in every field and give students the ability to make an impact wherever their careers take them.
Through Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship, Villanova students from all majors can develop these highly sought-after skills through two pathways: the academic-year Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor and the accelerated Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute (E2SI). In each program, students learn the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship and apply them to real-world challenges—resulting in a 16-credit academic minor.
Beyond these two pathways, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship offers additional opportunities for Villanova students to explore, practice and expand their innovation skills, cultivating a creative mindset to shape what comes next.
Two Paths. One Powerful Skillset
Learn how to think like an innovator for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor
The academic-year program gives students the time to explore the innovation process in great depth. Through coursework and real-world, industry-connected projects, students learn to evaluate opportunities, work through complex scenarios and understand the business behind innovation, from customer expectations and market needs to the decisions that shape successful solutions.
By learning to approach problems from both the customer and business perspective, students develop a versatile, future-focused mindset they can bring to any industry, organization or career.
Engineering Entrepreneurship
Summer Institute (E2SI)
E2SI is designed for students who want to learn how to identify meaningful problems, develop creative solutions, build and test ideas, and communicate solutions that make real-world impacts. This eight-week program takes students from idea to venture pitch, with no technical or business experience required.
After completing five weeks of online coursework, students spend three weeks exploring sustainability and healthcare innovation in Ireland, developing skills that will help in future careers while earning a minor in the process.
How the Minor Helps All Majors
Business:
Drive Innovation and Growth
Communications:
Tell Stories and Build Brands
Psychology:
Understand customers and behavior
Nursing:
Redesign Healthcare
Environmental Science:
Create Sustainable Solutions
Computer Science:
Build New Technology
Other Opportunities Through Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship
First year students are nominated by their EGR 1200 professors to participate in the Freshman Engineering Showcase (FRESH). Showcase winners receive awards.
Launchpad is a stage gated, pre-seed venture fund with a CEO Mentor network. The program provides targeted funding and resources for company formation and launch into the Philadelphia entrepreneurial ecosystem. All current and former Engineering Entrepreneurship students are eligible to apply to the Launchpad.
Monthly meetings of the world’s largest Meetup, where entrepreneurs, founders, CEOs, and their teams demo cutting edge and transformative technologies. Upper-level students who’ve participated in the Engineering Entrepreneurship minor can attend these events, where they can network and learn from the attendees.
Lauri Olivier, PhD, MBA
Director of Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship