When people think of college, they usually picture late-night study sessions, campus events and figuring out what they want to be when they “grow up.” But what if college isn’t just a time to prepare for your future — it’s actually the perfect time to start building it?
At Arizona State University, entrepreneurship is more than a major or a side hustle. It’s also a mindset that shapes how you approach challenges, ideas and impact. Your entrepreneurial journey can start right here, right now. And if something’s been nudging you to build, create or finally launch that business idea, this might be your moment. Below are a few reasons why.
1. You’re surrounded by resources, and they’re free
Launching something on your own can feel overwhelming. But at ASU, you’re not on your own. The J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute offers a variety of entrepreneurship and innovation resources, including free programs, mentorship, pitch competitions, maker spaces and funding opportunities for all students, regardless of major or experience. Whether you have a fully formed idea or just a spark of curiosity, we’re here to help you explore it.
Brianna Iannone, a master’s student and founder of All Minds Can Play, participated in ASU’s Venture Devils Demo Day. She shared, “I decided to pursue this idea and invest in this venture because I saw the lack of access to resources available for disabled people across the world. I believe if we can give everyone the opportunity to learn, play and actively participate in their communities, we can empower them to achieve success and have a bright future.”
2. College is a built-in network
Want to test your product? Find a cofounder? Bounce ideas around? You’re in the middle of one of the most diverse, interdisciplinary environments you’ll ever be in. Students from all backgrounds, skill sets and interests are just a coffee chat away. This is the time to experiment, collaborate and connect — you never know who you’ll meet or what it might lead to.
Take Snapchat, for example, which started as a dorm-room idea at Stanford in 2011, when Reggie Brown pitched Evan Spiegel a disappearing-photo app. Spiegel, a product design student, saw the potential and teamed up with Bobby Murphy, the coding whiz, to build it. They called it “Picaboo” back then. Safe to say, they’ve come a long way.
3. You’ve got room to fail (and that’s a good thing)
Failure is part of entrepreneurship. And college gives you a safer space to take risks, try something bold and learn without the pressure of a mortgage or your ultimate dream career hanging over your head. Every stumble now is a step toward the skills, resilience and insight that will fuel your future success.
Mark Cuban, the entrepreneur and investor, is quoted as saying, “It doesn’t matter how many times you fail — you only have to be right once.” It’s a powerful reminder that setbacks aren’t the end of the road. They’re part of every entrepreneur’s journey. Every misstep holds a lesson, and sometimes, all it takes is one breakthrough to change everything.
4. You’ll build real-world skills — fast
Problem-solving. Communication. Leadership. Time management. These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re the core of what it means to be an entrepreneur, and they’re the exact skills that will set you apart, no matter what career path you choose. Start a venture in college, and you’ll be building your resume in ways that matter.
Even just ideating while you’re in college can lead to something great when things fall into place after you graduate. While working at Vogue in 2010, Emily Weiss launched Into the Gloss—a blog born from an idea she’d been nurturing since her Teen Vogue intern days. It quickly became a go-to space for candid beauty talk, spotlighting people’s “top shelf” favorites. By 2014, with three years of buzz behind her, Weiss made the leap from content to commerce and launched Glossier.
5. You’re part of an entrepreneurial university
ASU is ranked among the top in the world for innovation (and that’s not just a great slogan to wrap our buses with). From sustainability to space exploration, healthcare to the humanities, entrepreneurship is embedded in every college, program and research initiative here. You’ll find support and inspiration everywhere you turn.
Inspiration can come from many places as you work on your business idea, and the Just Start Guidebook is the perfect companion to help you organize your thoughts, refine your vision and map out the essential foundations of your business.
Early exploration of your business idea
In the early stages, it can be helpful to imagine what things might look like as your idea takes shape. Here are a few ways to think about your future as you begin your entrepreneurial journey.
- Picture your future self – Imagine what your life looks like if this idea succeeds; does it excite you enough to chase it?
- Look for sparks – Pay attention to moments when you feel energized or curious, that’s often where the best ideas live.
- Design your impact – Consider not just money, but how you want your idea to shape your community, industry or even the world.
You don’t need a perfect business plan. You don’t need a group of investors. You don’t even need to know exactly what you want to build.
All you need is curiosity, a willingness to explore and a community that believes in you. And that’s exactly what you’ll find here at ASU, especially through the Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute.
When you’re ready, we’re here to help you take that first step and every one after.
Ready to get started?
Join our online community in WorldLabs where you can explore our programs, attend a workshop or just stop by and say hi. Your entrepreneurial journey doesn’t have to wait until after graduation. In fact, it shouldn’t. Your ideas deserve a space to grow, and we’re here to help make that happen.
