Entrepreneurship Week (E-Week)

E-Week

Hosted by the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame

Entrepreneurship in Action

Entrepreneurship Week (E-Week) at BGSU is the most significant annual event for the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business. Each April, the college hosts entrepreneurial leaders from around the world to share their experience and expertise through presentations and other events including The Hatch and the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame. Several E-Week events are open to the general public.

What does it mean to think like an entrepreneur? At this year’s E-Week, we will explore how to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that fosters innovation and leads to success. Activities and presentations from business leaders and innovators will focus on how to be nimble, solve problems and approach business with an entrepreneurial perspective.

E-Week 2024

Learn more about our events hosted April 10-12, 2024

Wednesday, April 10

3:30-5:30 p.m.
Scholarship Honors and Awards Reception
Recognizing our Schmidthorst College of Business 2023-24 scholarship recipients and donors - by invitation only.

Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame Ceremony
6-9 p.m.
Help us honor three outstanding alumni joining the ranks of inductees who have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit helping to shape our economies, drive growth, change industries and improve our quality of life.
Register to attend Hall of Fame Ceremony

Thursday, April 11

2:30-3:45 p.m.
Leveraging Entrepreneurial Mindset
This engaging event will feature this year’s esteemed inductees into the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame, alongside past honorees. Gain valuable insights and inspiration from experienced entrepreneurs as they share their journeys and strategies for success.

6-8 p.m.
The Hatch
Watch our Hatchlings student entrepreneurs present their business ideas to alumni investors, vying for funds to launch their businesses in a format similar to the popular television show “Shark Tank.”
Watch last year's livestream

Friday, April 12

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Student Entrepreneur Market
Join us in fostering an environment that champions student entrepreneurship. Witness the presentation of innovative small businesses and side hustles, explore and purchase their distinctive products and engage in networking opportunities with the community.

Student Success Stories

Learning about entrepreneurship and being inspired by the entrepreneurial leaders brought to campus has opened new career paths for many BGSU students. To date, more than $800,000 has been pledged for investment in student ideas through The Hatch, and those investments - along with the support of our alumni mentors - has made a significant impact.

To learn more, read some of our student success stories below.