Vision and Mission
The Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard Center for Entrepreneurship was established in 1996 to be a vehicle to help foster and promote economic opportunity in Denver and the surrounding community. We take advantage of our location in the heart of Denver's business district and from being in a state that is a national leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Our Vision: To be the dominant academically based economic growth engine for Colorado, through the creation and support of business ventures.
Our Mission: The Bard Center for Entrepreneurship will be recognized as one of the premier entrepreneurship programs in the country where both the education and practice of entrepreneurship are delivered at the highest levels, adding to Colorado’s economic development and growth.
The nationally ranked Bard Center has an outstanding portfolio of entrepreneurial offerings and services:
- Education
- Approximately 400 graduate students engage in specialized entrepreneurship classes taught by outstanding Business School faculty and outside experts each year. Over 3200 students have taken Bard Center courses.
- Numerous field study projects, internships and guest speakers provide students with a bridge to the real world of entrepreneurship.
- Entrepreneur Education Seminars are held several times a year offering the best in real-world advice on funding, legal risk management, and other topics.
- Experience
- Seed funding is awarded to successful student teams in the annual Business Plan Competition and the Idea Competition. Young entrepreneurs are mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs from the Denver business community.
- Internship positions with local companies offer students hands-on experience while pursuing their degree.
- Incubation
- Bard Center companies are currently hosted by the on-site incubator. Over 20 companies have been incubated at the Bard Center.
- Funding
- The Bard Center's Rutt Bridges Venture Capital Fund provides early seed-stage funding for new Bard Center businesses. The Bard Center maintains connections to other funding sources for new businesses including SBA, Angels, VC's and Foundations.
- Networking
- Over 30 leading entrepreneurs and business professionals serve on the Advisory Council to provide direction, review curriculum, mentoring, advise incubator companies, make investment decisions, and provide networking opportunities for students.
- The Bard Center Lecture Series and the Idea Exchange, sponsored by the Alumni Association, bring people together to exchange ideas.
- Results
- Through education and the creation and nurture of new businesses, Bard Center based companies are adding direct economic value to Denver and Colorado through job creation, revenue generation, and taxes paid.