Babson’s People Power Our Entrepreneurial Mission

When people hear the word entrepreneurship, they often think of startups. At Babson, we see something bigger.

For more than 50 years, Babson has demonstrated that entrepreneurship is a way of thinking, leading, and creating value. That understanding has established Babson as the world’s leading institution for entrepreneurship education. At the heart of that success is our people.

Faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, donors, and friends share a belief that entrepreneurship is a force for good. Together, we advance entrepreneurship through teaching, research, and practice.

Even before students arrive at Babson, we know through the application process that incoming students have an entrepreneurial zeal. They are immediately immersed as venture creators in our signature Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME) course and myriad experiential learning opportunities. Students are taught to experience entrepreneurial action through hands-on venture creation. More importantly, we teach them how to approach complex challenges. Students learn to connect ideas, solve problems, and create value. They develop an entrepreneurial mindset that shapes how they think and lead, whether they launch a company, lead an organization, or pursue a cause they care deeply about.

The result is more than 48,000 entrepreneurial leaders around the world. They are founders, leaders, and innovators making an impact in every sector and every corner of the world. They are the living expression of Babson’s mission.

This issue of Babson Magazine explores that theme through Startup Stories, which follows three Babson ventures at different stages of growth. From a venture participating in the Summer Venture Program to a B.E.T.A. Challenge winner and a company continuing to scale its impact, these stories illustrate how Babson supports entrepreneurs throughout their journey. They also reflect the people, programs, and experiences that make Babson the Hub of Entrepreneurship.

Earlier this summer, I announced that I will retire as Babson’s president at the end of next June. Serving this institution, my alma mater, has been the greatest honor of my professional life. As I begin my final year, I do so with deep gratitude for this community and great confidence in Babson’s future. The people who make Babson extraordinary will continue to shape the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and extend our impact around the world for years to come.

Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD