Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking
Kristie DeJesus, Director
Bryant University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, slated to be located in the Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center (BELC), will be a dynamic environment for aspiring entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. The hub for innovation at Bryant, the center will offer foundational programming and funding support to inspire, educate, connect, and accelerate budding entrepreneurs.
Rooted in the design thinking framework and methodology, the center's programming will catalyze the knowledge, skills, and resources to turn ideas into successful businesses. Together with their foundational Bryant education, the center will support students by helping them create a positive change in society as start-up founders, corporate or social entrepreneurs, and leaders of family businesses.
“Our goal is to create a vibrant ecosystem where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and industry leaders can collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful change.” - Kristie DeJesus, Director
“Start-up Survival,” hosted by Bryant CEO, teaches innovation, teamwork, and flair
Student business plans advance UN sustainability goals, with cash prizes on the line
Chris Lambros '26 is building his trading card business, deal by deal
Greek yogurt. Specialty wine. Ice cream.
Bryant lacrosse player’s new app enables connection on and off the field
Kristie DeJesus brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role
Greg Calderiso '09MBA draws on a wide range of skills to create Just Breathe
Vincent Emery '26 focuses on sustainability, as well as great taste
How the BELC, AI focus is transforming Bryant
The Entrepreneurship major at Bryant is designed to give students both a theoretical background and applied experience in entrepreneurship. Students engage in courses emphasizing every aspect of building and managing a new enterprise. Students immerse themselves in entrepreneurial endeavors beginning in their first year through IDEA, academic competitions, and co-curricular activities while receiving guidance from inspiring faculty and alumni.
Each Spring, the Bryant University Entrepreneurship Conference brings together entrepreneurs from the Bryant campus and beyond to learn from each other through networking opportunities, keynote speakers, focused breakout sessions, and workshops.
Bryant’s Innovation and Design Experience for All (IDEA) provides first-year students with a design thinking crash course where they use creative problem-solving to arrive at innovative solutions. Students are guided in real time by student, faculty, and staff mentors, all volunteers. More than 11,000 students have participated in the program since its inception in 2012.