The Entrepreneurship Center provides individualized assistance, competitions to test concepts and business plans, opportunities to win money to get students’ ventures off the ground, access to experienced business people eager to guide young entrepreneurs through their journey, connections to regional events and resources that can advance your venture, and so much more.
The High Point University Entrepreneurship Center fosters innovation and supports business ventures, advancing the entrepreneurship major offered by the David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship to the next level of excellence. It supports new emphases on entrepreneurship, sales, management and marketing. The Center breeds collaboration and creativity. The curriculum is fluid as it remains apace with current business trends and needs. Students learn new venture concepts using real-world scenarios based on the Center’s interactions with the local business community and its noted professionals.
Action plans for the Center’s activities include:
- granting actual funds for start-up businesses owned by students
- providing experiential learning opportunities
- offering guest speakers from HPU’s extensive alumni and friend networks
- working on projects for local businesses
- supporting and training students to succeed as they enter business competitions
- performing marketing research and designing marketing plans
Kathy Elliott
Director of the Entrepreneurship Center
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Entrepreneurship
[email protected]
336-841-9422
The Entrepreneurship Center organizes two main competitions each year:
The Elevator Pitch Competition, held during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November, and the Business Plan Competition, held in the spring semester.
Elevator Pitch Competition
HPU students have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and pitch their best business ideas during David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship’ annual Elevator Pitch Competition. The award money allows students to invest in their business ideas and move forward in making those ideas a reality.
Students vie for first, second, and third place awards, plus an additional Rockstar Rookie award. Up to $20,000 in prizes may be awarded.
Students may compete individually or in teams. The competition is open to any enrolled student at High Point University.
The competition for this year is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025 in the Congdon School of Health Sciences Callicutt Auditorium.
Please note that applications for the Elevator Pitch have officially closed as of October 1.
Additional information may be obtained from Prof. Kathryn Elliott, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, at [email protected].
Business Plan Competition
The annual competition is open to all High Point University undergraduate students enrolled full time in the spring semester of the competition year, regardless of course of study. Be sure to check the full rules and requirements.
A panel of judges consisting of entrepreneurs, investors, and local business leaders evaluates each business plan and the corresponding presentations made by the chosen finalists.
Click here to read all of the details about the competition.
Entrepreneurship Club
The Entrepreneur’s Club (E-Club) was created to give our members hands-on experience in the field of entrepreneurship. Through speakers, innovative projects, and business competitions our members get a first hand look at the world of running your own business. Students of any major are welcome to join!
We meet Monday evenings in the Cottrell International Ballroom at 5:0opm. Our meetings are open to all High Point University students, faculty and staff.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Entrepreneurship Club
Events & National Conferences
We regularly attend various events and national conferences designed to give our students the best opportunities to refine their business ideas and learn from leaders in the business world.
For more information on upcoming events and trips, please contact Kathy Elliott at [email protected] or 336-841-9422.
We are proud of our many students who have turned their entrepreneurial spirit into businesses or winning business plans. Read below for just some of our student success stories.