US Northeast

The Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center at the University of Baltimore

J. Howard Kucher, M.B.A.

University and Program Overview

The University of Baltimore, founded in 1925, has a distinguished history of fostering entrepreneurs and growth.  Comprised of the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts, the Merrick School of Business, and the School of Law - the University of Baltimore is an urban-engaged campus located in the heart of downtown Baltimore with deep roots into the business community and the heart of the entrepreneur.

The Merrick School of Business’ Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center (EOC), now in its third year of operation, provides courage for the building of ventures that work to students, alumni and the greater Baltimore business community.

Programs & Services

As the University’s business incubator, the EOC coaches and mentors student and alumni entrepreneurs from the initial concept and inquiry phase through growth and operational periods.  In just over three years, the EOC has coached and assisted more than 50 businesses and is actively assisting more than 20 businesses including traditional for-profit businesses as well as non-profit organizations.

The center’s innovative Business Consulting Services program provides technical business assistance to emerging enterprises and small businesses in the greater Baltimore area.  Students of all disciplines are contracted as consultants to address specific client needs including market research, operational and financial analysis, and business planning.  The result is an exciting environment that enhances student’s professional and educational experiences and provides intellectual capital to the local economy at a significantly reduced cost.

To address the specific business needs of different constituent groups in the City, the center has created several “communities” in Family Business, Emerging Enterprises, Technology and Commercialization and Social Enterprise, bringing together seasoned leaders in a comfortable setting and aiding in the exchange of ideas and best practices.  Specially tailored seminars and workshops are hosted for these groups throughout the year and in some cases such as Social Enterprise – unique curriculum have been designed to address needs.

Outreach Programs

Beyond the individual community workshops, the Center annually hosts a 3-part Entrepreneurship Speaker Series for students and the business community with nationally renowned speakers discussing important business issues such as branding, digital marketing and raising capital.  Complementing this speaker series are the Center’s Entrepreneurship Master Classes, intimate workshops hosted by local expert practitioners dealing with special topics important to the entrepreneur such as guerilla marketing, project management and conflict negotiation.

The Center’s event year culminates with the annual University of Baltimore Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards.  Each year the University of Baltimore recognizes the achievements of deserving entrepreneurs in categories such as Small Business, Business Innovation and Family Business.  This gala dinner and awards ceremony draws more than 200 of Baltimore’s business elite each year.

The Center’s events draw more than 800 attendees annually.  To complement its own events, EOC staff is actively engaged with business development and entrepreneurship events around the area and have created several partnerships with area community college programs and non-profit organizations.

Academics

In addition to the extracurricular opportunities that parallel the academic experience at University of Baltimore, the Merrick School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate specializations in Entrepreneurship.  Entrepreneurship courses focus on opportunity analysis, organization and finance as well as key sales and marketing training important to emerging entrepreneurs and helping their chances of success.

Contact Information

University of Baltimore

Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center

1420 N. Charles Street – BC 558

Baltimore, MD 21201

410.837.5060 (o)

410.837.5675 (f)

opportunity@ubalt.edu

www.ubalt.edu/opportuntiy