The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center supports all students in developing their innovative thinking and educates them on modern entrepreneurial practices. We encourage students to take the first step toward starting their own businesses.

How we help

The center provides students with programming to develop their entrepreneurial skillsets. All students have access to our Innovation Studio, where they can prototype their ideas with potential access to seed money. Some additional ways in which the center benefits students is by helping them develop skills in business planning, idea development, presentating, networking, and much more.

Unleash your creativity and your inner innovator!

Discover the Innovation Studio, your hands-on creative haven for turning dreams into reality. This interdisciplinary space nurtures your entrepreneurial spark, bridging theory and practice for unparalleled problem-solving.

Boost your skills while networking through academic and extracurricular projects. Open to SWAU students, faculty, and staff; the studio empowers teamwork across disciplines, where training is swift and collaboration is seamless.

Location and Open Hours 
Located on the 2nd floor of Pechero Hall, room 205, the Innovation Studio is your gateway to making innovative visions come alive. Visit the SWAU calendar to find up-to-date information about workshops and weekly hours.

Typically, the Innovation Studio is open on the following days:
Mon-Thurs: 2 PM - 5 PM

Tools & Equipment

• 3D printer 
• Laser engraver & cuter
• Embroidery machine
• Heat laminator
• Heat press 
• Hat press
• Dye Sublimation printer
• Vinyl Cutter/Plotter 
• Large format printer
• CNC router

If you would like to donate to help make our space bigger and better, please contact us. (innovate@swau.edu)

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate (I&E) provides a real-world learning opportunity for you! 

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship certificate helps you develop skills that encourage creative thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset for your career goals. Whether you're interested in starting your own business, joining a startup team, or introducing new ideas to established companies, this program is for you.

The best part is that the certificate is tailored to your interests and career objectives. Plus, you'll gain hands-on experience, giving you the chance to put your entrepreneurial skills into practice. It's an exciting and practical program that can benefit your future endeavors.

Who can apply?
SWAU students from any major who have completed 25 credits can complete this program before the Spring semester of their Senior year.

Courses counting toward the I&E Certificate may also satisfy core, major, and elective requirements in a student’s degree plan. The certificate should not add time to students’ SWAU careers but instead helps students choose the courses they already have to take in an integrated way. 

Requirements

• Entrepreneurship Courses
• Foundation Courses (2)
• Connecting Experiences (4)
• Seminar/ Workshops (9)
• Final presentation

For a complete list of courses and requirements, download the curriculum sheet.

Please contact us if you would like to start your Innovation & Entrepreneurship Certificate process this semester at ent@swau.edu

We are looking for people who can mentor our students as they start their businesses. We are also looking for speakers and experts to present new ideas at our presentations and workshops. Whether it is you or someone you know, we would love to connect and partner with you.

If you would like support in making our program bigger and better, please contact us.