Vanderbilt receives $20 million for its Center for Entrepreneurship
The anonymous donation came from the parents of current students.
Vanderbilt University has announced that the Center for Entrepreneurship has received an anonymous $20 million donation from parents of current students. The donation will be used to strengthen the center’s role as a launchpad for students as they develop new businesses, build teams, raise capital, and bring their ideas to market. Additionally, it will be used to hire new faculty, introduce new courses, and create a stronger network of resources for students and faculty.
In the announcement, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier called the donation extraordinarily generous and emphasized its potential to empower students to think boldly, take risks, and turn ideas into thriving companies. He added that the center’s growth will further energize Nashville’s booming startup scene while contributing to the region’s economic development.
Thomas Steenburgh, Dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management, announced that the funding will allow the center to tap into Vanderbilt’s extensive alumni and parent network to provide mentorship, capital connections, and venture-building expertise. The center also plans to strengthen partnerships with local incubators, accelerators, and venture firms, with a special focus on high-growth sectors such as healthcare, real estate, and the creative economy.
Baxter Webb, Director of the Owen Center for Entrepreneurship, said that his experience as a Vanderbilt student motivated him to inspire the next generation of students and entrepreneurs.
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