Biola University’s Crowell School of Business launched its fifth annual Startup Competition in September, coinciding with two new entrepreneurship programs launched this fall. The success of Biola’s startup competitions have paved the way for the launch of two new programs with a focus on entrepreneurship.

“Entrepreneurship and innovation continue to gain steam here at Biola,” said Crowell School of Business Dean Gary Lindblad. 

The Biola Startup Competition was founded “to foster kingdom-minded, Christ-honoring entrepreneurship across the university community and develop greater opportunities for business as ministry.” 

Beginning this semester, business students are now able to declare a concentration in entrepreneurship and students of any major are now able to declare a minor in entrepreneurship. Undergrad students involved in these programs will also be able to attend Praxis Academy — a five-day academy to foster entrepreneurial skills in the next generation of business leaders — and join the Biola Entrepreneurship Society.  

“Coming off of our largest Praxis Academy this past summer, we launched the entrepreneurship concentration for business students and the entrepreneurship minor open to all Biola undergraduates,” said Lindblad. “Our entrepreneurship and new venture formation courses have no prerequisites, so it's open to anyone wanting to monetize their skill set by starting a business in the gig economy,” said Lindblad. 

The new courses are open to students of all majors interested in entrepreneurship. Along with the Startup Competition, students are able to take part in a larger set of co-curricular programs as well. The program will host several “Fireside Chats with Entrepreneurs,” which offer students the opportunity to hear from distinguished entrepreneurial leaders. Additionally, students are able to join the Biola Entrepreneurship Society, which connects startups with successful entrepreneurs. 

Founder and Chief Technology Officer of FullArmor Corp, Danny Kim, spoke at the startup competition kickoff. Kim is a business leader and educator. He has worked with more than 30 of the Fortune 500 companies including Walmart, Boeing and Bank of America, and partnered with large enterprises such as Microsoft, NetIQ, Citrix, Dell, MicroFocus and others. Kim founded FullArmour Corp. in 1987 which exists to create new technologies for corporate settings. 

The startup competition is open to students of all majors to gain experience in entrepreneurship and the business world. Competing students will also be participating in Praxis Academy, an online community for emerging entrepreneurs. The kickoff event was a great opportunity to hear from Kim, an accomplished industry leader, and learn how to participate in the program. 

Last year’s winning teams included team youniquely_made, an e-commerce matchmaking site for artistic creators and marketing clients, and team Eleven Streetwear, a brand which provides ethically sourced, high-quality soccer apparel and sought to provide children in underprivileged communities the opportunity to play soccer. 

Biola University's Crowell School of Business offers undergraduate, graduate and online bachelor's degree students a premier business education taught by experienced, professional faculty. They have hosted the Biola Startup Competition since 2016.

Find out more about the new entrepreneurship minor and more details about the startup competition. The deadline to apply to compete is Nov. 25, 2019. 

Written by Kiana Karn, iBiola reporter intern. For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, manager of media relations, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.