Skip Sub Menu

Centers and Institutes

Drake's Entrepreneurial Centers are here to guide future entrepreneurs to be changemakers in their fields through dynamic innovation, education, and leadership development. You can learn more about our programs and resources below!

Programs

The Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, established by William and Jean Buchanan, is focused on providing up-to-date and challenging academic opportunities for students. Center offerings include Drake’s entrepreneurship minor and Entrepreneurship track in the management major.

Drake's Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach, made possible by a gift from John and Mary Pappajohn, serves as a hub for connecting students, alumni, and local businesspeople in a collaborative learning environment. 

Targeting small business startups, entrepreneurs, and community organizations in underserved Des Moines neighborhoods, Drake’s Business Clinic is supported by a generous grant from Wells Fargo in collaboration with Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families. The Clinic is available to help entrepreneurs and innovators establish or grow successful for-profit and/or nonprofit enterprises and includes the Drake Business Accelerator and Venture mentoring service.

Drake’s Bulldog Innovation Center targets students' goals to help them grow and learn. The center is home to the Innovation studio, Lorentzen Hatchery, and The Bark Tank.

Resources

Des Moines

Drake’s location allows for optimal conditions for your startup. Des Moines proves to be a growing city full of potential for new entrepreneurs. As well as being located in Iowa’s capital, Drake students have access to opportunities working with many different businesses and can make connections with CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and other business professionals to grow their networks within their first year.

Through the centers, entrepreneurship education offerings are found in every college and school at Drake. From Delta Rx in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and app development courses in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication to the music business concentration in the College of Arts and Sciences, entrepreneurial leadership is an important aspect of a Drake education.

Other resources

Drake's Professional and Career Development Services (PCDS) offers services to help Drake students and alumni get noticed and land an internship, research project, or part- or full-time job.
Drake's Office of Sponsored Programs Administration & Research Compliance (SPARC) which provides guidance and support for faculty, students, and staff in research and scholarly activities.

Connect

Contact the Entrepreneurship Centers at jpec@drake.edu, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!