Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship

What Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship does

The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary resource center and academic department within the University of Colorado Denver Business School, founded in 1996 as the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship and renamed in 2013 following a $12 million gift from Jake Jabs (CEO/President of American Furniture Warehouse) — the largest single donation in CU Denver's downtown campus history. It serves CU Denver students (undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree), the broader Denver-area startup community, and external early-stage tech founders. Core programs include the only Master's in Entrepreneurship degree program in Colorado, a 26-course curriculum serving 230+ students annually, the long-running THE CLIMB pitch competition (25 years, $1.2M+ awarded), the TechUp Incubator (nine-week hybrid summer program with $2,000 equity-free stipends), the JUMP Incubator, the Rutt Bridges Venture Fund (up to $50K equity-free per venture), signature events (Celebration of Success, WED Colorado Summit, Denver Startup Week sessions), and a Barcelona study abroad Maymester.

The Center does not develop proprietary technology products; it operates on standard digital infrastructure (WordPress website, event management tools, Zoom) and physical event facilities anchored by the Jake Jabs Event Center (completed February 2020). Its revenue mechanics are characteristic of a non-profit university department: tuition from the MS program (flat in-state rate averaging under $25K total degree cost), long-term draw from the $12M endowment (~$6M supporting ongoing programming, scholarships, and research grants), U.S. Department of Commerce EDA grant funding for TechUp, philanthropic fundraising via the Celebration of Success gala ($450K raised in 2025), and in-kind/cash sponsorship from corporate partners. Customer acquisition is community- and event-led, driven by CU Denver enrollment, on-campus presence, the pitch competition, signature events, and partnerships with Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, and other Colorado ecosystem organizations.

Name

Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship

Legal name

Jake Jabs Center of Entrepreneurship

Website

https://jakejabscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is a CU Denver Business School department and community hub providing entrepreneurship education, incubators, pitch competitions, and venture funding to students and Denver-area founders; it operates the only MS in Entrepreneurship in Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Entrepreneurship Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAHAH

Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes

SECONDARYEDAMAKAK

Entrepreneurship, Startup Incubation & Pitch Programs

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/College & Career Enrichment (Mentorship, Internships, Portfolio)

SECONDARYEDAMAHAC

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

SECONDARYEDAMAHAB

Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Entrepreneurship & Business Enrichment

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship education
• Startup incubators
• Pitch competitions
• Venture funding
• Academic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue (MS in Entrepreneurship): The Center generates tuition revenue through its Master's in Entrepreneurship degree program. All students pay the same in-state tuition rate, bringing the average total cost of the degree to below $25,000. The program can be completed in one to five years and is offered both online and in-person.
2. Endowment and Gift Income: The Center was established through a $12 million gift from Jake Jabs (CEO/President of American Furniture Warehouse). The gift (originally $10M pledged in 2013, increased to $12M in 2018) is the largest total donation in CU Denver's downtown campus history and the largest single donation ever made by an individual entrepreneur to a Business School department or center. Approximately $6M continues to provide long-term support for academic programming, events, student scholarships, and research grants.
3. Grant Funding: The TechUp Incubator is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), for which JJCE is a sub-awardee in partnership with DEDO, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network, and Colorado Thought Leaders Forum.
4. Fundraising Events: The Celebration of Success is an annual fundraising gala benefiting student scholarships at the CU Denver Business School. The 2023 event raised over $250,000 and the 2025 event raised $450,000 (record-breaking), supporting scholarships for CU Denver Business School students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary resource center within the University of Colorado Denver Business School that delivers entrepreneurship academic programs (undergraduate major/minor/certificate and a Master's in Entrepreneurship degree), startup pitch competitions (THE CLIMB), summer incubators (TechUp Incubator and JUMP Incubator), equity-free venture funding (Rutt Bridges Venture Fund), and signature community events (Celebration of Success, WED Colorado Summit, Barcelona study abroad). It serves CU Denver students, collegiate entrepreneurs across Colorado, and early-stage tech ventures in the Denver metro area.

Product overview

The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary resource center at CU Denver offering a comprehensive portfolio of entrepreneurship education and support programs. The portfolio centers on academic degree programs (MS in Entrepreneurship), startup competitions (THE CLIMB), incubator programs (TechUp Incubator, JUMP Incubator), venture funding (Rutt Bridges Venture Fund), signature events (Celebration of Success, WED Colorado Summit), and international programs (Barcelona Study Abroad). These programs work together to provide students and community entrepreneurs with education, mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Jake Jabs Event Center: A signature event and educational amenity housed on the first floor of the CU Denver Business School
• THE CLIMB
• TechUp Incubator
• Rutt Bridges Venture Fund
• Master's in Entrepreneurship

Products and services

• Master's in Entrepreneurship (MS in ENTP)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1.2 million awarded to student entrepreneurs through THE CLIMB competition since 2001
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEDO is a sub-awardee partner with JJCE on a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding the TechUp Incubator. DEDO supports the economic development of Denver and works with the Center to foster the local startup ecosystem.
• Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEN Colorado is a sub-awardee partner with JJCE on the EDA grant funding the TechUp Incubator. BEN provides mentorship and ecosystem connections for high-growth startups in Colorado.
• Colorado Thought Leaders Forum (CTLF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTLF is a sub-awardee partner with JJCE on the EDA grant funding the TechUp Incubator. CTLF connects business and community leaders to support entrepreneurship in Colorado.
• Dorsey & Whitney LLPflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDorsey & Whitney LLP is a Platinum Sponsor of THE CLIMB competition. The law firm also provides pro bono legal support and mentorship to student entrepreneurs, including helping students understand IP protection.
• American Furniture WarehouseflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAmerican Furniture Warehouse (CEO: Jake Jabs, the Center's namesake) is a Platinum Sponsor of THE CLIMB competition. Jake Jabs himself also serves as a judge and mock investor at THE CLIMB events, providing direct mentorship and investment of time.
• Launch Pad Ventures (Joel Appel)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLaunch Pad Ventures (Joel Appel, founder of OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom) is a Gold Sponsor of THE CLIMB. Joel Appel also serves as a judge at THE CLIMB events.
• CU Denver Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIBER is a Gold Sponsor of THE CLIMB and supports international entrepreneurship education at the Center.
• Concept2Exit Consulting GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAn in-kind sponsor of THE CLIMB, providing consulting expertise to student entrepreneurs.
• Vita Inclinata TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAn in-kind sponsor of THE CLIMB, providing mentorship and industry expertise. CEO Caleb Carr also serves as a mock investor at Pitch Market events.
• Denver Scholarship FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Denver Scholarship Foundation supports CU Denver students with scholarships. Olivia Omega, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at the Denver Scholarship Foundation, serves as the Center's Entrepreneur in Residence and frequently emcees Center events including WED Colorado Summit and THE CLIMB.
• University of Colorado Denver Business SchoolflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is a multidisciplinary resource center located within the CU Denver Business School. The Business School provides institutional support, facilities (including the Jake Jabs Event Center), faculty, and administrative infrastructure for the Center's programs.
• Barcelona Study Abroad Experience (SAE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAE organizes the logistics for the Entrepreneurship in Barcelona Maymester study abroad program, including accommodations, local excursions, cultural activities, and guest speaker coordination. The program is a partnership between CU Denver Business School and SAE.
• The Collider (Barcelona)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Collider is a tech transfer initiative in Barcelona that creates high-performance teams for disruptive startups. It was visited by students in the Entrepreneurship in Barcelona study abroad program as part of their experiential learning.
• Reby (Barcelona)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReby is a micro-mobility platform for ridesharing electric vehicles based in Barcelona. Students in the Barcelona study abroad program visited the Reby offices as part of their business immersion experience.
• 3D Incubator (Barcelona)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 3D Incubator is the first European high-tech incubator in 3D printing, located in the Zona Franca Industrial Estate in Barcelona. It was visited by students in the Entrepreneurship in Barcelona study abroad program.
• Startup Grind BarcelonaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup Grind Barcelona is a global startup community. Students in the Entrepreneurship in Barcelona program attended a Startup Grind networking event in Barcelona.
• Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEDO is a global initiative dedicated to driving women's economic independence. The Colorado ambassador, Sylvia Scott, organizes the WED Colorado Summit, which has been hosted at the Jake Jabs Event Center since 2022. The Center serves as the local host for this annual summit.
• Girls' C.E.O. Connection (Sylvia Scott)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSylvia Scott, founder of Girls' C.E.O. Connection, serves as the WED Colorado ambassador and co-organizer of the WED Colorado Summit. She presents awards and facilitates panels at the annual summit hosted at the Jake Jabs Event Center.
• LATINA Style Business Series (LSBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLATINA Style Business Series (organized by LATINA Style, Inc.) hosts its Denver event at the Jake Jabs Event Center. The event brings together 150+ Latina entrepreneurs, business leaders, and students for networking, panel discussions, and speaker sessions.
• The Commons on ChampacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Commons on Champa is a Denver entrepreneurial hub. Olivia Omega serves as a mentor and accelerator facilitator there in addition to her role as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Jake Jabs Center. The organizations share mentorship and startup support resources.
• Colorado Health and Tech Centers (CHTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCHTC's founder Afshin Safavi serves on the Jake Jabs Center's Advisory Council. CHTC's mission to build biotech innovation hubs along the I-25 corridor in Colorado aligns with the Center's goal of fostering innovation and connecting students with Colorado's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• PBS12 Colorado Public Television (Kristen Blessman)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKristen Blessman, President and General Manager at PBS12 Colorado Public Television, served as a mock investor at Pitch Market 2024. PBS12 coverage helps amplify awareness of the Center's programs and student entrepreneurs.
• Blush Now (Nikita Jhaveri)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNikita Jhaveri, founder of Blush Now, delivered the lunchtime keynote at the WED Colorado Summit 2025, speaking about pursuing passions regardless of outside perspectives.
• Fashion Denver (Brandi McMichael)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrandi McMichael, founder of Fashion Denver, received the Trailblazer Award at the WED Colorado Summit 2025 and also emceed the event. She is a CU Denver Marketing alum and represents the success of the Center's community.
• Ten26 Media (Jason Zotara)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJason Zotara, Managing Partner at Ten26 Media, served as a mock investor at Pitch Market 2024, offering marketing and media expertise to student entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MIT Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship: University-based entrepreneurship center at MIT that combines academic programming, pitch competitions, and founder support through a similar integrated model. Comparable because it pairs degree-aligned entrepreneurship education with a venture accelerator (delta v) and mentorship within a leading business/engineering institution.
• Harvard Innovation Labs (i-lab): University-wide entrepreneurship center at Harvard that provides workspace, mentorship, and venture programs to students across schools. Comparable to JJCE because it functions as a multidisciplinary hub combining community-driven programming, pitch competitions, and startup support.
• Babson College Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship: The leading U.S. higher-education entrepreneurship center at Babson College, offering academic programs, competitions, and incubator support. Directly comparable to JJCE because it serves as the institutional hub for entrepreneurship education and extracurricular programs within a business-focused school.
• Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative (Northwestern): Entrepreneurship initiative within Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management that integrates academic coursework, competitions, and venture support. Directly comparable to JJCE because it combines graduate-level entrepreneurship education with extracurricular programming within a top business school.
• Stanford StartX: University-affiliated startup accelerator at Stanford that supports founders through mentorship, demo days, and equity-free resources. Comparable to JJCE because it operates as an embedded university entrepreneurship program that combines student-led ventures with community events and investor exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship