center-for-entrepreneurship-and-innovation

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Empowering Entrepreneurs. Inspiring Innovation.

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves as the University of Baltimore's hub for entrepreneurship. From initial idea development to later-stage business growth, the Center provides resources, fosters collaboration, and connects entrepreneurs with a supportive community.

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) empowers University of Baltimore students, alumni, and community members to design, launch, and run their own businesses by providing resources and support.

a man writing in a notebook reviewing a business pitch

Connect with a Mentor

Connect with seasoned entrepreneurs and growth-oriented business leaders in your community. After an initial consultation, we'll pair you with a dedicated mentor who will provide expert guidance on everything from management and marketing to legal and financial issues.

Charles St. and Mt. Royal Ave. in the evening

Learn New Skills

Our workshops provide CEI members and companies with the essential knowledge and resources—from securing seed capital and finding partners to hiring talent and mastering marketing. The goal to transform their ideas into successful ventures. We also host networking events and other opportunities to connect with the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, including investors and potential customers, too.

Funding Opportunities

Launch your venture with CEI's business pitch competitions. Held each semester, these events offer access to thousands of dollars in seed funding and professional services. More importantly, they provide a valuable opportunity to test your business concept, connect with potential investors, receive expert feedback, gain recognition, and learn from a "safe failure" environment—all before entering the high-stakes marketplace.

2025 Rise to the Challenge Group of Competitors

Video Highlights: 2025 'Rise to the Challenge' Winners

View the highlight reel for the "Rise to the Challenge" Business Pitch Competition, held on May 1, 2025.

You will see the impact that a University of Baltimore education and the work of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has on our students, their families, their communities.

Kathyrn Demarest Associate Dean, Merrick School of Business

Read Full Story

View the highlight reel for the "Rise to the Challenge" Business Pitch Competition, held on May 1, 2025.