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The Venture Out Market is back for students in the College of Business Administration at Abilene Christian University to showcase their student-run businesses from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Moody Coliseum.

Approximately 20 student businesses from the Founders Club in the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy and 45 teams from the Foundations of Entrepreneurship class will be participating in the market. The event is a highlight of the fall Wildcat Preview Day and will be one of the largest markets to date – and likely one of the largest sales days ever with more than 250 students and families visiting campus. The items in this year’s market include apparel, handmade jewelry, mini succulents, custom-painted Bibles and numerous food options.

“The lessons students learn while participating are applicable to so many parts of their lives, both while a student at ACU and once they graduate and begin their careers,” said Amanda Pittman (’00), student engagement coordinator for the Griggs Center.

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The idea for the Venture Out Market originated from the Introduction to Business course taught by professor emeritus Dr. Monty Lynn a few decades ago. Today, the project is a major component of the Foundations of Entrepreneurship course, taught by Dr. Jim Litton (’01), associate professor in the College of Business Administration. Pittman is coordinating the event for the students in the course who are participating and the Founders Club businesses.

The Founders Club is designed to provide networking and resources for students who are starting and running their own businesses. Members have access to collaborative work spaces, workshops, training, networking, funding opportunities and mentoring from experienced professionals.

“There isn’t a better way to learn about every aspect of business than actually running one, so this is experiential learning at its best,” Pittman said. “When students begin working with their peers on bringing a product to market, comparing source pricing, interacting with customers in a vendor market setting, the business concepts just sink in differently.”

Learn more about the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy.

— Connor Mullins

Nov. 9, 2023