UH received $5 million donation to foster student entrepreneurship

The University of Houston (UH) has received a generous $5 million donation from the Wayne Duddlesten Foundation. This donation will be used to establish the Duddlesten Institute, which will work in conjunction with the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at Bauer College. According to a press release by UH, the goal of the institute is to enhance entrepreneurship education and support for UH students.

"The Wolff Center competitive cohort program has trained business leaders — and nurtured their creative sparks — since its establishment more than two decades ago within Bauer College," said the University of Houston.

The collaboration between the Wolff and Duddlesten teams aims to provide support for business ideas by connecting entrepreneurs with mentors, offering website development tools, and providing various growth-oriented services. In addition, campus representatives will actively seek out potential entrepreneurs and promising ideas within specific fields for future commercialization opportunities, as stated in the press release by UH.

“We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Duddlesten Foundation for their continued support of the University of Houston, exemplified once again by this remarkable contribution that establishes a new institute focused on entrepreneurship,” said Renu Khator, University of Houston president, according to the press release by UH. “The Wayne B. Duddlesten Free Enterprise Institute will empower ambitious individuals across our campus to transform innovative ideas into tangible realities.”

The Duddlesten Institute, in collaboration with the Wolff Center, will expand entrepreneurship training and provide legal services and other tools for entrepreneurs from across the University of Houston. The goal is to support the entire process from concept to incubation and eventually launching a successful new business, as stated by Paul A. Pavlou, the dean of the Bauer College of Business and Cullen Distinguished Chair Professor, according to the press release by UH.

By establishing the Duddlesten Institute, the University of Houston aims to expand the possibilities of entrepreneurship to every UH college and department. This will open doors of opportunity to a wider range of specialties and help diversify and strengthen the economy for future generations, said Karen Duddlesten, president of the Wayne Duddlesten Foundation, in the press release by UH.

This $5 million donation will have a significant impact on fostering student entrepreneurship at the University of Houston and providing the necessary resources for students to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses.