Entrepreneurship Initiative

In the spirit of living up to Benjamin Franklin’s legacy of creating solutions in the service of the public good, Franklin & Marshall College has created a new initiative centered on entrepreneurship and the spirit of having a positive, lasting impact in the world around us.

About Our Program 

Courses

Our multidisciplinary offerings are geared toward the development of entrepreneurial skills and mindsets to enrich and magnify the liberal arts experience across all academic concentrations.  

review the offerings

Extracurriculars

Our extracurricular opportunities further enrich the student experience and give everyone the opportunity to explore their entrepreneruial ideas. 

Check it out!

Social Entrepreneurship Certificate Program

This year F&M has added certificates to the curriculum. Students interested in entrepreneurship will be able to receive a certificate in social entrepreneurship. This certificate will focus on applying innovation to impact social change. 

Learn More Here!

Summer Research Program

Lancaster is your lab, and you define your area of impact. 

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In Focus 

Student Spotlight: Gregory Morford on New “Inside F&M” App

Check out this article written by our Student Associate, Sydney Dzenutis, about Gregory Morford, a participant of last fall's Incubator Program! This interview disccusses the ideation, development and next steps of his new app, Inside F&M! 

Read the article here!

A regular feature of our community, courses and events.

Demo Day 2022

Do you have a unique idea for a startup or a creative solution to a problem? Do you want a chance to network with successful entreprenuers and potential investors? Join us on Saturday, April 23rd to present your great idea and win prize money to serve as funding to make your idea a reality! 

Apply Here!

Calling Dibs: A Feature on Three Students and Their Sustainable Start-Up

Check out this article written by a member of our Student Staff, Olivia Schmid, as she gives us an inside look into DIBS, one of the current Spring 2022 Incubator teams! They are starting an initiative at F&M on April 11th to provide F&M students the opportunity to donate items to their fellow classmates.

Check out the article here!
Our Strategic Partners 

Ben Franklin Technology Partners

Driving Growth & Innovation in Pennsylvania 

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Saxton & Stump

Lawyers & Consultants: Providing Solutions for Complex Legal Issues 

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Keystone Merge

An entrepreneur event series that meets monthly throughout the Harrisburg, York, and Lancaster region.

Learn more

Connect With Us

meet the faculty and students behind the initiative
Join the DipBlue Entrepreneurial Network

Our Entrepreneurial Alumni

Educating With Love: Aaron Bass ’01 (Alumni Doc)

Aaron Bass '01, Sociology & Africana Studies, founder of KIPP DuBois Collegiate Academy

Alumni Documentary: Mary Haverstick ’82

Mary Haverstick '82, Geology, founder of Haverstick Films 

Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Waybright '06

Sarah Waybright '06, Neuroscience, founder of Why Food Works and co-founder of Gathering Springs Farm

Alumni Documentary: Will Kiefer ’14

Will Kiefer '14, Public Health & Spanish, founder of nonprofit enterprise Bench Mark

Meet Ani

Ani Akpan '18, a film major at F&M, is the founder of Qase Media

Alumni Documentary: Becky Fawcett ’92

Becky Fawcett ’92, American Studies, founder of nonprofit agency HelpUsAdopt.org

 Recent Events and Happenings

3-Day Startup 2022

F&M’s Creativity & Innovation Initiative, Entrepreneurship program, and Founders Society student club held the 3-Day Startup (3DS Franklin & Marshall) on March 25-27. Students describe this  program as a life-changing experience that inspires them to change the world for the better.  

More info here!

F&M in Entrepreneurship Panel

Tune in Feb. 17 to hear from a panel for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs hosted by OSPGD, Entrepreneurship at F&M, and the Founders Society student club.

register

Research to Start-Up (And Everything in Between)

This Feb. 24 workshop will introduce participants to the process and vocabulary used by individuals to determine if a particular research topic or area can fulfill a need in the marketplace.

learn more

Stories

Story 7/1/2022

Students Pitch Wellness Initiatives to City of Lancaster

Go behind the scenes as entrepreneurial F&M students tackle some of Lancaster's biggest health and wellness challenges.

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Story 4/18/2022

Propelling the Inventive Spirit

While kites and keys weren’t necessarily in their toolkit, F&M students embodying the inventive spirit of Benjamin Franklin turned to the F&M Incubator to launch their start-up business.

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