Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

Peter Rachor, Director

Robin D. Anderson, Ed.D., Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship

The Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation was established in 1998 through a generous seed endowment by Robert W. Franz. Cross-disciplinary activities of the center make a positive impact on students, faculty, alumni, and supporters of all five colleges of the University. The center forms partnerships with the Portland entrepreneurship community to offer programs on new venture creation, social entrepreneurship, not-for-profit entrepreneurship, global entrepreneurship, and innovation and technology management. The University of Portland $100K Challenge is administered by the Center. This program is an event designed to motivate and support University of Portland students in creating new world-class ventures. Participants form teams which are judged by panels of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other successful professionals who evaluate the teams’ business plans and presentations, awarding up to $100,000 in cash prizes, investment capital and services to the finalists of the competition. This experience provides opportunities for hands on learning and the possibility of launching meaningful student lead businesses.

The center also administers the annual Bauccio Lecture in Entrepreneurship, crafted to bring national and international leaders in entrepreneurship to the campus. The endowed lecture series is named for its founders, Fedele Bauccio ‘64, ‘66, and his wife Linda.

The Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation is located in Buckley Center, Room 216, (503) 943-7769, or ecenter@up.edu.