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Ben Eng presenting at the front of a conference room
Six Pillars

Entrepreneurship

large group of entrepreneurs smiling at the camera at the School of Business

Designing West Virginia as the Startup State

At Marshall University, entrepreneurship is more than starting a business – it’s about solving problems, creating opportunities and driving innovation that transforms our communities. We’re shaping the future of West Virginia’s economy by empowering innovators and entrepreneurs to turn bold ideas into measurable impact.

Through a robust network that includes the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (iCenter), Lewis College of Business, Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center, Marshall University Research Corporation Tech Transfer Office, and more, we’re building an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Together, these programs equip students, faculty and staff, and community members with the mindset, skills, and resources to dream big and take action – preparing a generation of creative problem-solvers ready to compete and lead in a rapidly changing world.

With state-of-the-art facilities and resources, we’re supporting the development of a skilled workforce, driving sustainable growth and professional development across the state. Entrepreneurship is one of our six pillars — areas where our university is uniquely positioned to lead and impact our region, our country and our world.

It ties directly into our strategic commitment to:

  • Fuel economic growth in West Virginia
  • Provide a 100% placement rate for graduates
  • Drive innovative ideas & incubate start-ups
two students walking into the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation

Why this is Important

  • By creating an ecosystem where entrepreneurs thrive, we’re creating a culture in West Virginia where businesses can start, grow, and stay.
  • An entrepreneurship-focused infrastructure launches new startups and draws companies and investors to our state.
  • New businesses in our region means new jobs—creating a ripple effect in our economy for growth.
  • Small businesses employ 45.9% of United States workers, which is about 59 million people. (U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • There are approximately 34.7 million small businesses in the United States. (U.S. Small Business Administration)
student working int he iCenter and smiling at the camera

How Marshall is Leading

At Marshall University, we’re committed to building a culture of possibility to help increase West Virginia’s capacity to compete locally and internationally:

  • Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Located in the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, the iCenter teaches design thinking to students, faculty, and community members. Signature initiatives include:
    • Innovation Catalyst Program: this program trains faculty and staff to become design thinking champions who are ready to spread innovation and help their departments tackle real challenges with creativity and collaboration
    • Brad D. Student Incubator: students receive course credit for time spent launching their ideas into viable businesses with support from an internationally-recognized startup founder
    • gBETA at Marshall’s iCenter: a nationally recognized accelerator powered by gener8tor, gBETA provides a free seven-week program that connects early-stage founders with mentors, investors, resources that help startups refine their business models and gain traction
    • Design for Delight (D4D): We’re training learners in D4D, Intuit’s version of design thinking. The D4D approach is designed to solve complex, human-centered programs, and use it to catalyze student-centered innovations collaboratively across campus and beyond.
  • Lewis College of Business: Through both the Entrepreneurship major and minor, the Lewis College of Business equips students with the knowledge and mindset to start and scale new ventures.
  • Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC): Supporting entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and innovators through state-of-the-art fabrication, prototyping, and training facilities – turning ideas into tangible products and business opportunities.
  • Tech Transfer Office: Helping faculty and researchers protect and commercialize intellectual property, advancing innovation from campus labs to the marketplace.
  • IDEA District: Impossible Doesn’t Exist Anymore in downtown Huntington. Designed to drive economic development, this $250 million investment will unite industry and academic experts, fostering a dynamic environment for innovation. Our goal is to create an Innovation Resource Hub in the district to connect students, educators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and makers with entrepreneurial resources and services.

Through collaboration and creativity, Marshall University is working to:

  • Ignite innovation by teaching every student design thinking
  • Infuse entrepreneurial mindsets across all disciplines and departments
  • Impact West Virginia’s economy through startups, job creation, and industry growth.