The Master of Science in Entrepreneurship (MS ENTRE) at the University of Washington Foster School of Business offers an immersive student experience for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. Students build ventures, test ideas, and collaborate across disciplines while engaging with Seattle’s startup ecosystem through the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship.
What Defines the MS Entre Student Experience
Founder-focused experience
Students learn in a collaborative cohort environment centered on innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. The experience emphasizes teamwork, communication, and developing the confidence to move ideas from concept to action.
Hands-on Startup Development
Entrepreneurial thinking is reinforced through customer discovery, market validation, venture strategy, and startup-focused projects. Coursework emphasizes experimentation, iteration, and learning through direct application.
Full-Time, Immersive format
The one-year, full-time day-time format allows students to balance professional responsibilities with an immersive experience focused on venture development, mentorship, and entrepreneurial growth.
Entrepreneurial Networks and Access
Access to founders, mentors, investors, and startup leaders through Seattle’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, gaining exposure to venture-building resources and startup communities.
How the MS Entre Student Experience Works
The MS Entre combines entrepreneurial coursework, venture development and startup community engagement in an immersive format:
Coursework: Develop entrepreneurial and strategic thinking through experiential learning Startup Developmente: Test ideas and refine concepts through hands-on projects Community: Collaborate with a close-knit cohort of founders and innovators Network Access: Connect with mentors, entrepreneurs, and Seattle’s innovation ecosystem
Experiential Learning in Practice
Experiential learning is central to the MS ENTRE experience, helping students move ideas from concept to launch through hands-on startup development and real-world project work.
Students engage in:
Startup-focused coursework and venture development projects
Collaboration with founders, mentors, and students across disciplines
Entrepreneurial workshops, competitions, and startup ecosystem events
The Buerk Center Advantage
The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship anchors the MS ENTRE experience through mentorship, venture programming, and startup community connections.
Startup competitions and venture funding opportunities
Mentorship from founders, entrepreneurs, and investors
Cross-campus innovation and venture development programs
Students in the MS ENTRE program share how the experience shapes their entrepreneurial thinking, venture ideas, professional networks, and startup-building confidence.
Foster’s entrepreneurship program helped Aaron Kennedy persevere through challenges while building his startup, Outway.Read More
Aaron Kennedy on Navigating Setbacks in the Startup World
The Foster MS in Entrepreneurship program became Adrienne Chan’s springboard from engineering to entrepreneurship, helping her launch Bellevue Classical Ballet.Read More
Adrienne Chan on Founding Bellevue Classical Ballet and Her Leap from Tech to Dance
Preetham Garikipati channels his engineering and entrepreneurship expertise into LeapThought and LTV Corporation.Read More
Preetham Garikipati on Merging Engineering and Entrepreneurship
Eric Chou refined his thriving platform with a systematic approach to growth at the Foster School of Business.Read More
Eric Chou on Scaling Network Automation Nerds into a Thriving Business
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of startup projects do students work on?
Students develop startup concepts through applied coursework and venture-focused projects that emphasize customer discovery, market validation, pitch development, and business model refinement. Many projects involve testing ideas and applying entrepreneurial frameworks to real-world opportunities.
What role does the Buerk Center play in the MS ENTRE experience? The Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship is closely connected to the MS ENTRE experience through mentorship, venture programming, startup competitions, and entrepreneurial networking opportunities. Students can also engage with programs such as the Buerk Startup Incubation.
How do students engage with Seattle’s startup and innovation community?
Students connect with founders, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and startup professionals through events, workshops, competitions, and entrepreneurial programming across Seattle’s innovation ecosystem.
How does the program support entrepreneurial skill development?
Students develop practical startup and leadership skills through hands-on learning experiences focused on strategy, communication, problem-solving, and business development. Coursework emphasizes learning through direct application and iteration.
