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A student presenting in front of a screen

StartUp Term

You don’t have to be a business major to start your own business. You’ll pitch your business ideas to a panel of faculty and successful entrepreneurs, develop a business plan, analyze markets, and create a product. And your startup doesn’t have to close up shop at the end of term, either.

Dream of starting your own company?

StartUp Term offers practical experience in every part of the entrepreneurial process, from developing a business plan to pitching your product to potential investors. For 10 weeks, participants work in teams of four to transform original business concepts into real services and products.

Two students stand in front of a classroom presenting on a screen between the two of them.

You'll tackle a wide range of responsibilities

You'll take on every part of owning your own business!

  • Building and maintaining a project website
  • Developing your product
  • Evaluating potential markets for your product or service
  • Connecting with suppliers and customers
  • Compile financial projections
  • Administrative tasks like ordering business cards and opening bank accounts
Two students stand at the front of a room speaking.

The Final Pitch

At the end of the 10-week term, you'll make a final pitch to a panel of judges that includes Knox alumni and local entrepreneurs. Some groups even continue to operate their businesses after the program is over.

And no need to worry about support. You will be mentored by Knox faculty members throughout the entire process.

StartUp Term at Knox

Get an inside look at StartUp Term through a student’s perspective.

A student stands next to a large monitor. He smiles as he speaks. Multi-colored sticky notes decorate the wall behind him.

What Students Say

  • Cortney Hill talking at the front of a room.

    I think it helped having teammates you already knew. We had a solid bond, could push each other, communicate, and work together. We did not have to start from scratch and figure each other out. Playing together allowed us to be on the same page and a little ahead at the beginning. We knew how to work together and get everything done.

    Leo Dircks ’27

    Mathematics and Business Double Major

  • Arsalan Najeeb standing outside smiling at the camera.

    “From personal development to actual work opportunities, StartUp is one of those terms that you can use and mold it to fit whatever you want from it. Getting what you personally wanted from your experience and being satisfied by the end of term when you pitch to investors meant everyone learned more than we ever could have.”

    Arsalan Bin Najeeb '20

  • “The professors know a lot about what they do so that was nice to learn from them, and having advisors and mentors who would tell you how to create something from scratch.”

    Deborah Ortiz '20