What is The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center's mission?

The mission of The Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center [The Lang Center] is to instill entrepreneurial thinking in all Columbia Business School students and to create a community of business practitioners with a lifelong commitment to achieving social and economic progress through entrepreneurship.
 Back to top
 
How do I apply to The Lang Center? You do not need to apply to the Lang Center. The Lang Center's events, courses, and services are available to all admitted MBA students.   To learn more about applying to Columbia Business School and concentrating in entrepreneurship visit: MBA Program - Apply
 Back to top
 
I am not a Columbia Business School graduate. Does the Lang Center have anything to offer me as an entrepreneur/local business owner? Local business owners can look into the following Programs to meet some of their needs:
 

The Columbia Community Business Program (CCBP) is designed to support the growth and development of businesses and not-for-profit organizations in Upper Manhattan.

 

The Small Business Consulting Program provides MBA students with opportunities to perform pro bono consulting projects for small businesses and nonprofits.

 

One of the forums supported specifically for women entrepreneurs is the Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN), a growing membership that brings alumnae and other women entrepreneurs together for learning, advice, and discussion.
Back to top
 
How do I become involved with The Lang Center as a student?

All Columbia Business School students are encouraged to take advantage of the Center’s events and services from the start of their academic careers. Becoming involved from the beginning allows students the opportunity to meet our staff and learn first hand about Program events and services they can participate in as a first year student. It also better prepares a student to take advantage of opportunities in their second year prior to graduation. The Lang Center offers students resources to help them develop their business plan and gain knowledge of potential funding opportunities.  We also offer a structured mentorship program available to all students interested in being matched with a formal mentor. Please see the Columbia Mentorship Program for Entrepreneurs (CMPE). For more information, visit the Lang Center office in Uris Hall room 317.

 Back to top
 
I missed a recent event featuring a guest speaker I wanted to hear. How can I find out if the Lang Center videotaped the event? Visit our video library to see if an Program event was videotaped or contact the Lang Center at 212-854-3244.
Back to top
 
How many classes do I have to take to concentrate in entrepreneurship? We recommend you take at least three classes. The three classes we recommend are Intro to Venturing, Launching New Ventures, and Entrepreneurial Finance.
 Back to top
 
There are so many classes in entrepreneurship at the Business School - how do I go about choosing the best classes for me? We have many entrepreneurial classes for you to choose from.  You will note that our classes are fully integrated in the MBA curriculum and cut across divisions. In fact, roughly 80% of all enrolled MBA students took classes in entrepreneurship during the 2007-2008 academic year.

To help you decide what  to take, we have broken up the classes by four career tracks.  Depending on what you want to do - start a business, be an innovative thinker in a large corporation, or work in a socially conscious company - we have recommended classes for you in that particular track.

 Back to top
 
What resources does The Lang Center have for me, as an alumnus/alumna of the School, if I am interested in launching a business? Current MBA students are encouraged to take advantage of our events and resources during their educational career at Columbia.  Although many of The Lang Center's resources are limited for graduates, we welcome alumni to contact us at 212-854-3244 or entprog@columbia.edu  with your questions and to participate in our events/services as evaluators, mentors, and judges.  Alumni also have access to sample business plans and reference materials at The Lang Center to assist with the development of their business plan and the staff will assist in identifying additional resources. In addition, the Sounding Board is available to alumni as is the Columbia Entrepreneurs Network, and the Women Entrepreneurs Network (for alumnae only).
 Back to top
 
How do I become a mentor? The Columbia Mentorship Program for Entrepreneurs (CMPE) is a program that links student entrepreneurs from Columbia Business School with seasoned members of the School's entrepreneurs community.  If you would like to become a CMPE mentor, please send a message to the Mentorship Program Liaison, Melissa Hanna, at mch2141@columbia.edu
 Back to top
 
I am a student and want to be matched with a mentor to help me with my business concept. What do I do?

The Lang Center offers a structured mentorship program available to all students interested in being matched with a formal mentor.  Please visit the Columbia Mentorship Program for Entrepreneurs (CMPE). Please contact Melissa Hanna, the CMPE Program Liaison, for more information (mch2141@columbia.edu).

 Back to top
 
How do I place an ad to recruit an MBA student?

You may post a job announcement online at www.gsb.columbia.edu/jobpost. This service is free, and no password is required. You may designate your job posting for current students, alumni, or both. For additional information on recruiting Columbia MBAs, visit the Recruiters Web site at www.gsb.columbia.edu/recruiters or contact the Office of MBA Career Services at 212-854-5471.

The Small Business Consulting Group is a student organization that provides pro bono consulting services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, go to www.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/sbcp/.
 Back to top
 
Where can I find a sample business plan? What if I want to work on a business concept while in school for credit?

A small library of business plans, reference materials, and articles are available for review for current MBA students at the Lang Center office in 317 Uris Hall.  Links to additional resources can be found on our website. The Launching New Ventures course, taught by professors Clifford Schorer and Brendan Burns, will teach you the components of a business plan and presenting your idea to potential investors while in school.  This class is offered in the fall term.
 Back to top
 
How can I be notified of upcoming Family Business Events? If you would like to be notified of upcoming Family Business Network discussions and networking events at Columbia Business School, please contact Mayra Reyes at mr2017@columbia.edu or call 212-854-4225.
 Back to top
 
Who is eligible to seek funding from the Lang Fund?

Columbia MBA students in their second year are eligible to apply to the Lang Fund. Venture teams must include at least one second-year MBA student enrolled in Columbia Business School, and the students must be committed entrepreneurs ready to launch their ventures upon graduation.
 Back to top
 
How do I become involved with The Lang Center as an alumnus?

Alumni play an important role in guiding current students and their business ventures. As an alumnus/a, you may choose to become involved with The Lang Center through the Partnership Program and/or serve as a mentor, judge, Entrepreneurial Sounding Board counselor, or class guest speaker. Please review this document and contact The Lang Center office for further details.
 Back to top
 
Who is eligible to participate in the Greenhouse Program?

The Greenhouse Program [Master Class] is open to all MBA students in their second year who are serious about launching a company upon graduation. Note: This company must be the student’s own; it may not be sponsored by another individual or company.

About the Greenhouse Program

The Entrepreneurial Greenhouse Program is a spring-term Master Class that prepares participants to launch a company upon graduation. Limited funding is provided for approved start-up expenses, such as legal fees, attending tradeshows, etc. To apply to the Greenhouse Program, students must submit a business plan and make a formal presentation to the Greenhouse selection committee in early December. Admission is competitive; approximately 15-20 students are accepted each year.
 Back to top
 
What is the Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC)?

The Global Social Venture Competition [GSVC] is an innovative partnership between Columbia Business School, the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, London Business School, Yale School of Management,  and the Indian School of Business. The competition aims to foster a new generation of business leaders that values the social as well as the profit potential of business. It achieves this goal by catalyzing and promoting for-profit and not-for-profit ventures that create and measure both social and financial returns.

For specific dates and rules, visit www.gsvc.org.
 Back to top
 
What should I do if I have questions that have not yet been answered? Contact the Lang Center office at 212-854-3244 or entprog@columbia.edu.
 Back to top