For the first time ever, students from across the University of Illinois can now pursue an entrepreneurship minor. Beyond core courses from both Gies Business and Grainger Engineering, the minor allows students to choose from more than 70 elective courses from within their respective colleges to round out the minor.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will launch a new interdisciplinary entrepreneurship minor in Fall 2026. Managed by the Origin Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship at Gies College of Business and co-developed with colleagues in The Grainger College of Engineering, the entrepreneurship minor will expand opportunities for undergraduate students across campus to develop the skills and mindset needed to lead, innovate, and adapt in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Open to undergraduate students across campus, the entrepreneurship minor is designed to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and equip students with practical tools that are applicable across industries and professional paths. The program responds to growing employer demand for graduates who can identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and drive meaningful innovation.
“The entrepreneurship minor reflects Illinois’ commitment to preparing students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of impact,” said W. Brooke Elliott, Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business. “Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t limited to starting a company. It’s about navigating uncertainty, creating value, and leading change in any context to shape a better world.”
According to the World Economic Forum, analytical thinking and innovation; complex problem-solving; and creativity, originality, and initiative rank among the most in-demand skills globally. At the same time, job postings requesting entrepreneurship skills have grown by nearly 40% over the last five years. The new minor positions Illinois students to meet that demand head-on.
The 16-credit-hour minor combines foundational coursework with flexible elective options, striking a balance between depth and customization. Students will complete five hours of required, core coursework and at least 11 hours of electives selected from four categories, with more than 70 elective courses available across disciplines. This structure enables students to tailor the minor to their academic interests and career goals.
“The interdisciplinary nature of the program underscores the university’s belief that entrepreneurial thinking belongs in every field,” said Rashid Bashir, Dean of The Grainger College of Engineering and Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering. “Engineers can use it to bring new technologies to market. Liberal arts students can apply it to a wide range of industries and community initiatives. Future healthcare professionals can leverage it to improve systems and patient outcomes. Across contexts, the minor prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully and adapt to changing economic environments.”
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is boldly committed to enhancing the lives of students through transformative learning experiences, and entrepreneurship has been a core pillar of that commitment for decades. The university is home to a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and is regularly ranked among the top universities for undergraduate founders by Pitchbook. In 2024, Fast Company and Inc. lauded Illinois as an Ignition School, one of the Top 50 colleges and universities making an outsized impact on business and society. That legacy of innovation has led to some of the world’s most transformative breakthroughs. The world’s first web browser, the MRI, YouTube, PayPal, LED lighting, Tesla Motors, and even air conditioning can all trace their roots back to the University of Illinois. The same entrepreneurial spirit that helped shape these technologies has also produced successful ventures in media, consumer products, manufacturing, and finance, including First We Feast, Pampered Chef, CurlMix, GMM Nonstick Coatings, Experts Only, and Avant. Today, the university offers nearly 5,000 courses in more than 150 fields of study.
“This minor was intentionally designed to complement any major on this incredible campus,” said Melissa Graebner, associate dean of entrepreneurship and Robert C. Evans Endowed Professor of Business Administration at Gies College of Business. “The core courses build foundational frameworks and skills in entrepreneurship, and then through a wide range of elective choices, students can explore how entrepreneurial thinking intersects with their chosen fields – from business and engineering to the arts, social sciences, and beyond.”
Students enrolled in the minor will gain experience identifying opportunities, iterating through real-world challenges, designing solutions, and validating ideas. The curriculum emphasizes iterative problem-solving, creative adaptability, and opportunity recognition – skills that transcend industries and sectors. In addition, the program integrates ethical and societal considerations, helping students understand how entrepreneurship both shapes and is shaped by broader economic and social forces.
Graduates who complete the minor will not only be well-positioned to succeed in their own entrepreneurial ventures, they will also be able to demonstrate strong entrepreneurial capabilities to employers. In an increasingly competitive job market, the credential differentiates students by demonstrating initiative, adaptability, and the ability to translate ideas into action.
"We see the strongest outcomes when students from different disciplines collaborate,” said Jed Taylor, assistant dean for innovation and entrepreneurship and Landuyt Executive Director at Grainger Engineering. “The minor is designed to connect talent across campus and give the next generation of entrepreneurs the multidisciplinary foundation they need to succeed.”
