Current: The Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship
The Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship
This initiative in Auburn's College of Business combines outreach programming and
academic studies in the area of family business. Efforts are directed at being responsive
and proactive to the needs of family businesses, and to students interested in studying
the dynamics of families in business.
An academic program has been developed which will involve study of the interrelationships
between family structures and relations; entrepreneurship; the economy; and business
management practices. Visiting family business executives and site visits will be
incorporated into this program.
Outreach activities for the Lowder Center for Business and Entrepreneurship will emphasize
the individual development of managers/executives/successors through training and
education programs, and will cover issues such as leadership development issues for
the family/business enterprise; assessment and decision-making involved with economic/organizational
dynamics of the family business; and how to manage economic and family changes as
they apply to the organization's structure and leadership for strategic planning purposes.
Entrepreneurship Studies
Entrepreneurship programs and courses are a part of the Auburn Entrepreneurship Program. Focus on entrepreneurship in one of our programs and learn from our expert faculty:
The Startup Studio began in Summer 2024 with support from the Innovate Alabama Network.
It seeks to help early-stage entrepreneurs by providing deliverables (graphics, videos,
web designs, etc.) that can help their businesses grow. Most of the Studio work is
performed by students thereby increasing their skills and career prospects as well.
EnergizeAL is a series of programs designed to help individuals start and grow sustainable
businesses throughout Alabama. The programs can vary from one-off workshops to multi-week
intensive entrepreneurial bootcamps. These programs sessions are often in collaboration
with a community partner such as the Chamber of Commerce. Visit the website to see
upcoming events.
Hosted in the Fall, the Auburn Ideas Jam is a low-barrier competition designed to
help early-stage business ideas grow. There are multiple pitch booths and a prize
winner at each. No business plan or slide deck is required. The competition is open
to both students and community members residing in East Alabama.
Business Builders Bash is an innovation weekend where participants bring new ideas,
form teams, and seek to build new businesses over the course of a weekend. Meals and
coaching are provided throughout the weekend to help position teams for greater success.
Although it can be challenging, it's a really unique opportunity to validate a new
idea quickly while having fun.
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