The Bert Twaalfhoven Center for Entrepreneurship features a dedicated faculty and a curriculum encouraging undergraduate and graduate students to develop business plans and launch actual business ventures rather than focus solely on theory. Its curriculum is based on Twaalfhoven’s “Blocks of Teaching Entrepreneurship” and includes six components: identifying business opportunities, beginning a new venture, acquiring social and financial capital, managing start-ups and growth, managing a family-owned enterprise and realizing value. Although many business schools in the United States offer classes in entrepreneurship, few offer a substantial interdisciplinary concentration.

The Center is named for Bert Twaalfhoven (UnderGraduate School of Business ’52), a highly successful European entrepreneur and venture capitalist, who has started more than 50 firms and has acquired more than 10 others, with customers in 60 countries. A advisory board member, Twaalfhoven is also an active lobbyist for entrepreneur-friendly legislation in the European Union and better business education both in America and Europe.

Program Director Contact Information
Richard A. Colombo, Associate Professor
(212) 636-6380
colombo@fordham.edu