Entrepreneurship

GRIGGS CENTER for Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy

Main Content

We invite you to consider including entrepreneurship as part of your future ACU experience! Learn to recognize the opportunities God sets before you, map creative solutions to big questions and overcome obstacles to create value in today’s market.

Gain the Experience

Every one of our student practices entrepreneurship outside the classroom through a series of co-curricular activities in the following areas:

  • Networking
  • Spiritual Formation
  • Launching or running a business or significant project 
  • Competitions
  • Study Abroad & Beyond ACU

Student Organizations

ACU Campus Store interior - Griggs Center

ACU CEO 

ACU’s chapter of Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization(CEO) is focused on promoting entrepreneurship at ACU, we provide great networking opportunities by bringing 20+ entrepreneurs to campus for networking lunches throughout the year. 

ACU CEO – Sponsored Events

  • CEO Chapel
  • Charity Pitch Competition (benefits local nonprofits)
  • Networking trips to Austin and DFW
  • National conference each fall

Interested? Attend CEO Chapel and our networking lunches!

Female student at small business display table - Griggs Center

Founders Club

It’s about your network. Find your community of entrepreneurial-minded students who are starting and running their own businesses. Find community workspaces, resources and valuable mentors who’ve been where you are. Founder’s Club offers our community of active student entrepreneurs resources, training, pitch competitions and vendor markets.

Founders Club – Sponsored Events

  • Founders Club Chapel
  • Vendor markets on campus and in local community
  • Funding opportunities through pitch competitions

Interested? Attend Chapel, volunteer for our Vendor Market team, and/or pitch a business idea in one of our competitions.

Wildcat Ventures

Nationally awarded Wildcat Ventures is a portfolio of student-run businesses located at ACU dedicated to providing students with real-world experiences that are valuable to their career path. One of the fastest growing student-run businesses in the nation, they collaborate with ACU CEO and offer numerous resources to help prepare students for their future entrepreneurial journeys.

Wildcat Ventures – Sponsored Events

  • Wildcat Ventures Chapel
  • Paid positions for all levels of employees
  • Opportunities to launch new campus businesses

Interested? Apply for entry-level positions at a WV company, attend WV Chapel, and/or pitch an idea for a new campus business.

Enactus

A chapter of Enactus USA focused on social entrepreneurship, centered on student team projects and partnered with Community Foundation of Abilene

Enactus – Sponsored Events

  • Enactus Chapel
  • Semester projects focused on community issues
  • National Expo in the spring 

Interested? Attend Enactus Chapel and volunteer to work on a project.

Study Abroad & Beyond ACU

The following are opportunities for current students to study beyond ACU and even overseas. You can earn activity points and/or credit hours for participating.

NYC Skyline - Griggs Center at ACU

Fall Break @ NYC

Focus | New York City startup culture
# of Students | 8-10

Fall Break @ Nashville

Focus | Music industry & startups
# of Students | 10-12

Networking @ Austin/Ft. Worth

Focus | Local startups & alumni
# of Students | 10-12

Study Abroad in Thailand

Summer (May 15-30) 2023
Program Fee $3,000

Focus | International entrepreneurship
# of Students | 8-10
Class | ENTR 419 (no prereqs)

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park - Accra, Ghana

Study Abroad in Ghana

Summer (May 15-30) 2023
Program Fee $3,000

Focus | International entrepreneurship
# of Students | 8-10
Class | ENTR 419 (no prereqs)

Meet Our Staff

Amanda Pittman
Student Engagement Coordinator
Griggs Center
alp97a@acu.edu

Mindy Howard
​​Student Engagement Coordinator 
Griggs Center
mlh19e@acu.edu