CFE’s Legacy and the Need for Student-Focused Support
Since 2002, the Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE) has been at the forefront of fostering entrepreneurial talent through university and entrepreneur programs. Over 23 years, student entrepreneurship support has been an integrated part of CFE’s mission. However, student-focused entrepreneurship requires dedicated programs, mentorship, funding, and infrastructure beyond standard offerings. Recognizing this, CFE has spun off a new non-profit, YourSA, to concentrate exclusively on student programs.
Student Skills Development and Entrepreneurial Readiness
Student entrepreneurship programs overlap substantially with broader skills development — including problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. Yet only a small fraction of U.S. students intend to start businesses immediately after graduation. For example, surveys show that less than 20% of students plan to launch a venture soon after finishing college, while confidence in entrepreneurial readiness remains low. By establishing YourSA, CFE aims to bridge this readiness gap while nurturing transferable skills that benefit all students, regardless of whether they launch a business.
What YourSA Will Offer
YourSA will provide: incubators, accelerators, hackathons, mentorship, seed grants, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and post-graduation support. Programs will be inclusive of all majors, ensuring that every student with innovative potential can access tools and guidance to develop ventures or entrepreneurial capabilities.
CFE’s Continued Mission
Meanwhile, CFE will continue supporting existing entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures through flagship programs such as ScaleUp, Startup Club, and the ScaleUp Acceleration Program. This strategic focus allows both organizations to maximize impact: YourSA addresses student entrepreneurship specifically, while CFE sustains its proven support for growth-stage and established entrepreneurs.
Impact and Long-Term Vision
By focusing dedicated resources on students, YourSA will cultivate entrepreneurial skills, confidence, and networks among emerging innovators. Even students who do not start businesses immediately will benefit from transferable skills applicable to any career path. This approach strengthens the broader innovation ecosystem, builds a culture of entrepreneurial thinking, and generates long-term societal and economic impact.
About CFE and YourSA
Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE): Established in 2002, CFE supports entrepreneurial ventures at all stages through mentorship, acceleration, and programs like ScaleUp and Startup Club.
YourSA: Formed in 2025 as a dedicated non-profit spun off from CFE, YourSA focuses exclusively on student entrepreneurship programs, providing students with mentorship, resources, funding, and experiential learning opportunities.