NDSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business

2024 Winter Commencement
2024-12-20 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago)
Winter Commencement will be held at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex. Congrats grads!

Classes Begin (4:00 p.m.)
2025-01-13 16:00 - 21:00

First Full Day of Classes
2025-01-14

Deadline: P2P Participant and Group Applications
2025-01-17
Problems to Possibilities applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open. Learn more and apply at thinkp2p.org.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No Classes)
2025-01-20

Entrepreneur Day at the Capitol
2025-01-27 08:00 - 14:00
Connecting entrepreneurs with policymakers. Join us at the State Capitol and for a reception at the Governor’s Residence.

Spring Marketing & Sales Fair
2025-01-29 09:00 - 12:00
Barry Hall, Louise Auditorium | Marketing/Sales/Comm or related majors

Deadline: Incoming Freshmen Scholarships
2025-02-01

Spring Career Expo
2025-02-05 11:00 - 15:00
FargoDome | All majors, 250+ employers | Free Headshots 11AM-2PM

Applications open for Bison to the Bakken!
2025-02-12
Bison to the Bakken is a 3-credit, 2-week travel experience offering an in-depth exploration of the energy industry in western North Dakota. Every day you will visit a different company and facet of energy, including oil and gas production, fracking, pipelines, carbon capture, biofuels, lignite coal, wind energy, and distribution. You will also learn about North Dakota’s government operations, regulations, and economic development. Social events and a tour of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park will be included.

Where:
The first week of the trip will center around the Minot/Williston/Waterford City areas. The second week will be in Bismarck and the surrounding area.

When:
May 18 – May 30, 2025. The perfect two-week experience before you start your summer job/internship in June.

Why:
Unbeatable networking opportunities and the ability to see first-hand the industries that you learn about in the classroom.

Who:
Spots are limited! This program is available to only 45 undergraduate students—15 each from the College of Agriculture, College of Business, and College of Engineering.

Cost:

Travel and lodging costs are fully covered. The program includes some meals; students are expected to cover approximately one meal/day.
Students will be responsible for a portion of the tuition and fee costs of a 3-credit summer course. Students will be notified if scholarships become available to cover tuition costs.

Apply:
Apply by March 1. Visit ndsu.edu/bison-to-the-bakken to apply and submit a short video about why you are interested in participating.

3 Minute Thesis Competition
2025-02-13
https://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/current_students/3mt

President's Day (No Classes)
2025-02-17

Deadline: Student Scholarship Deadline
2025-03-01

Deadline: Bison to the Bakken Application
2025-03-01

Spring Break
2025-03-10 - 2025-03-14

MN Cup - Applications Open
2025-03-10 08:00 - 2025-04-11 17:00
MN Cup is the largest statewide startup competition in the country. Our completely free programming supports emerging entrepreneurs through networking events, education, mentoring, and a chance at $400,00 in non-dilutive funding. All Minnesotans and Minnesota-based companies earning less than $1M in annual revenue are eligible to apply.
MN Cup encourages undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in a Minnesota college or university to apply to the Student Division. The selected winner will take home a $25,000 non-dilutive cash prize!
2025 Applications will be open March 10 – April 11. Finalists pitch in August. Learn more at mncup.org.

Deadline: Transfer Student Scholarship Deadline
2025-04-01

NDSU Takeover Day at Startup Brew
2025-04-02 08:00 - 21:30
Save the date for NDSU Takeover Day at Startup Brew – Everyone is welcome!
Get ready to wear your green and yellow gear and connect with entrepreneurs and community members.
More information about the speakers to come.
April 2 schedule:
8:00 AM – Coffee Club (time to drink coffee and connect)
8:30 AM – Program Begins
9:15 AM – Program Ends
Location:
Prairie Den (Located in the Black Building)
118 Broadway N., Suite S1
Fargo, ND 58102
StartupBREW Fargo is a weekly event to learn, support and inspire. This morning meetup is for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives and community members alike to come together and explore the entrepreneurial journey.

2025 Values and Ventures Competition
2025-04-04 - 2025-04-06
TCU’s Richards and Barrentine Values and Ventures Competition invites undergraduate student entrepreneurs from all around the world to compete for over $100,000 in prizes. Semifinalists will be invited to TCU’s Neeley School of Business in Fort Worth, Texas from April 4-6, 2025, to connect with likeminded values-focused undergraduates from across the globe; network with judges, mentors, faculty, and potential investors; and compete for the $40,000 Grand Prize. Help us spread the word by sharing this with your network of undergraduate entrepreneurs.
Applications are due January 17, 2025, 11:59 PM CST! Students can apply at https://my.reviewr.com/s2/site/TCU_Values_and_Ventures_Competition_2025 .

Rice Business Plan Competition hosted by Rice Alliance
2025-04-10 - 2025-04-12
Applications Now Open for RBPC on April 10-12!
The world’s largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition, the Rice Business Plan Competition hosted by Rice Alliance in Houston, Texas, is searching for 42 of the best student startups in Energy, Cleantech & Sustainability; Life Science & Healthcare Solutions; Hard Tech; Digital Enterprise; Consumer Products & Services. This year will be a special one as we celebrate 25 years.
Applications due January 27! Apply and learn more at rbpc.rice.edu.

NDSU Possibility Showcase
2025-04-15 16:30 - 18:30 | NDSU Memorial Union – Ballroom
Join us for an electrifying evening as we showcase the next wave of innovators emerging from the NDSU community!
Kicking off the night, Kyle Voltin, founder of Xtra Apparel, will share his inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Driven by his brother’s experience with Down syndrome, Kyle set out to solve a problem close to his heart—creating clothing that truly fits and benefits individuals with Down syndrome. His story is a powerful example of how entrepreneurship can create meaningful change.
Then, six student teams from the Possibility Fellowship who have spent the past year transforming bold ideas into groundbreaking startups will step into the spotlight to pitch their ventures to the public for the very first time. Teams from the Problems to Possibilities program will also unveil their visionary projects, tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time with creativity and determination.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness innovation in action, connect with aspiring entrepreneurs, and be part of a movement shaping the future.
RSVP HERE
Location: Oceti Sakowin Ballroom, NDSU Memorial Union | 1401 Administration Avenue, Fargo, ND 58102
What to expect:

4:30 p.m. – Social, hors d’oeuvres and student project exhibit
5:20 p.m. – Welcome & keynote by Kyle Voltin, founder of Xtra Apparel
5:45 p.m. – Student pitches and presentations
6:30 p.m. – Conclusion

This event is open to the community! All Fargo-Moorhead community members and those from the surrounding areas are welcome to attend.

Easter Break
2025-04-18 - 2025-04-21

e-Fest
2025-04-24 - 2025-04-26
e-Fest® is a premier event for the Top 25 student entrepreneurial teams nationwide. Finalists, selected through an online submission round on March 3, compete in Minneapolis from April 24-26 for over $220,000 in prizes, participate in workshops, and gain national exposure. Schools submitting at least one team are eligible for $2,500 Development Grants. Learn more in the Submission Guide Video or contact Jennifer Gessner at jgessner@stthomas.edu.

Dead Week
2025-05-05 - 2025-05-09

Last Day of Spring Classes
2025-05-09

Finals
2025-05-12 - 2025-05-16

Commencement
2025-05-17 10:00 - 14:00
Fargodome

Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (FGSIC)
2025-05-30 - 2025-05-31
FGSIC inspires global student entrepreneurs to solve social and environmental issues. The 2025 Finals, May 30-31 in Minneapolis, offers $25,000 in seed funding. Submissions close Feb. 1 (International) and March 1 (Domestic). Questions? Contact hello@fowlergsic.org or Billy Mzenga at billy.mzenga@stthomas.edu.

AgTech Week 2025
2025-06-09 - 2025-06-13
Hosted by Bushel, FMWF Chamber and Grand Farm.

Map the System - Global Final Competition
2025-07-03 - 2025-07-06
Map the System will culminate in a 4-day convening in Oxford with the top team from each partner institution.
