Innovation with Purpose

Today, the global landscape of venture creation is undergoing a profound shift. The era of “growth at all costs” is behind us, replaced by the need for resilience, sound unit economics, and purpose-driven impact. Investors and communities seek durable organizations that solve real human challenges.

We have long ago moved beyond the era of the lonely inventor. True innovation today means co-creating value directly with the community. It happens only when we deliberately bring together student ambition, industry insight, academic research, and seed funding to build solutions that actually matter.

At Seattle University, we are responding to this shift. Entrepreneurship here is not an elective activity; it is a central expression of our mission. Albers students do not simply study theory. They practice it alongside founders, nonprofit leaders, civic partners, and industry innovators. Our goal is to identify problems in the world, test solutions responsibly, and build organizations that create lasting value in competitive markets and in communities.

Entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for shaping the future. it is not only how new ideas become organizations, but also how innovation reshapes industries, and how communities build resilience and opportunity.

Creating Pathways: the ON-RAMP Program

Launched in the fall of 2025 as a pilot initiative, ON-RAMP is specifically designed to support aspiring entrepreneurs from economically challenged areas and historically marginalized communities. Developed in collaboration with Notre Dame University’s Urban Poverty Business Institute, the program aims to offer a tangible pathway out of poverty through business ownership.

The entrepreneurs start the program with a six-week bootcamp (classes all day on Saturdays) in the fall. The program follows a step-by-step roadmap for launching a business. They are then paired with a coach from the business community who provides essential mentoring support during this uncertain stage in the development of the business. Finally, student consultants are assigned to each entrepreneur to help them execute their business plans, while also receiving ongoing guidance from their dedicated community coach.

Accelerating Founders: The Summer Startup Bootcamp

Building on the longstanding support of the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, we are launching a new summer startup accelerator in summer 2026. This six-week intensive program is tailored for students and faculty teams who are ready to take their innovative ideas from concept to reality. Working within a highly supportive cohort model, we will initially select 5 to 7 teams, sourced from programs like the Harriet Stephenson Business Plan Competition, as well as the Jones Idea Challenge and SJIM-Albers Competition. Through targeted workshops and dedicated mentorship, students will refine their business models, prepare investor-ready pitches, and get their ventures primed for the market.

Translating Research to Reality: Redhawk Venture Studio

The Redhawk Venture Studio will support faculty, students, and external partners in translating research insights into real-world impact. Rather than focusing solely on startups or patents, the studio will help develop a portfolio of pathways including new ventures, pilot projects, industry partnerships, technology licensing, and open dissemination.

A venture studio differs from traditional incubators or accelerators by working earlier in the innovation process and actively helping shape initiatives from the problem-definition stage through early development. The Redhawk Venture Studio will support approximately 5–10 strategic initiatives each year, providing shared infrastructure, expertise, and targeted resources such as seed funding, intellectual property guidance, and operational support. Rather than minimally supporting a broad set of opportunities, the studio model focuses on advancing a small number of carefully curated initiatives deeply, improving the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Scale our Impact, Together

Philanthropy and community partnerships are what allow us to scale our impact. We invite our alumni, partners, and the broader Seattle business community to get involved. Whether through mentoring a summer accelerator team, coaching an ON-RAMP entrepreneur, or investing in the infrastructure that brings these initiatives to life, your support ensures that our innovation is not short-term, but enduring. Join us in equipping the next generation of leaders to build innovative organizations that create lasting value in our communities.