Darden Ranks #7 in the Nation for Entrepreneurship

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- From over 2,000 schools surveyed by The Princeton Review for Entrepreneur magazine, the Darden School of Business' entrepreneurship program ranked #7 in the nation in the graduate category of the survey.

"Students at Darden discover that entrepreneurship is learned, not innate, and that being entrepreneurial is about 'effectual'; and not 'causal' thinking," said Philippe Sommer, Director of Darden's newly created Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "That's a very powerful proposition in today's business environment. Not only do we invest heavily in academics, with top ranked faculty and game-changing courses emerging from Darden's Batten Institute, but we also build on this academic foundation with an unrelenting focus on experience-based programs and initiatives that empower our students to create successful businesses. Our hands-on approach has extended to new UVA-wide programs, such as the UVA Entrepreneurship Cup and the UVA Venture Summit, helping to create a vibrant and extensive entrepreneurial ecosystem university-wide."

"Behind the top ranked schools is not only a great formal classroom experience, but a cross-disciplinary approach to teaching entrepreneurship that embraces and encourages a student's vision to build a successful business," said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review's senior vice president of publishing and nationally recognized expert on college admissions.

A number of new or expanded initiatives continue to distinguish Darden's entrepreneurship program.  Earlier this year, Darden celebrated 10 years of success with its Business Incubator and unveiled its new i.Lab, a state-of-the-art learning environment complemented by an experience-based curriculum that inspires a new approach to teaching innovation and entrepreneurship. Other initiatives include a recently launched entrepreneurship concentration and a new alumni mentoring program and network. Darden's upcoming annual Entrepreneurship Conference will explore the essentials to developing a new business, from idea generation to launch to exits, and, for the first time, will include an informal concept competition for alumni.  

The eighth annual ranking reveals the nation's top 25 undergraduate and top 25 graduate programs for entrepreneurship. Darden's ranking can be seen at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges.

About the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership's mission is to cultivate principled entrepreneurial leaders whether they are in new ventures, established companies, or not-for-profits.  The Center provides a broad array of academic and experiential programs for students supporting dozens of exciting courses, a business incubator, full-time internships, business plan and concept competitions, workshops, boot camps, mentorship opportunities, and scholarships. We create a vibrant ecosystem for students by engaging leading entrepreneurs and innovators, top-ranked faculty, and a vast and loyal alumni network.  The Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is part of The Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Darden School of Business.

About The Batten Institute

The Batten Institute advances knowledge about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation and cultivates principled, entrepreneurial leaders. The Institute encompasses a leading academic research center and Darden's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The Institute was founded on the principle that entrepreneurship and innovation are powerful mechanisms for improving society by addressing its most pressing challenges. In bringing together scholars, students, alumni, business people, and the greater community, the Institute fosters a diverse and energetic collaborative community in support of its mission to foster knowledge and improve society.

About the Darden School of Business

Founded in 1954, the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business improves society by developing principled leaders in the world of practical affairs. For questions or information, contact [email protected].  

SOURCE The Batten Institute