About the Heyde Entrepreneurship Center
The entrepreneurship center exists to spark new ideas, turn those ideas into actions, help students create and build new ventures, and is a catalyst for bold thinking and real-world impact.
The Center connects students, faculty, and community partners to launch ideas, build ventures, and connect across disciplines and borders. The Heyde Center strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem across campus and Northwestern Wisconsin. Through hands-on programs, events, and partnerships, we provide opportunities to test ideas, grow businesses, and build lasting networks.
Community and Collaboration
The Heyde Center is more than a space; it’s an ecosystem designed to help students and founders thrive. Our community connects people and ideas through:
• Networking with mentors, founders, and investors
• Collaboration with the Blugold Innovation Club
• Local site visits with area entrepreneurs
• Built-in accountability and support for your projects
Local Businesses Support Needed
We need pitch judges, mentors, event volunteers, and guest speakers. We also need infrastructure support, seed money for student busineses, and student scholarships.
If you are interested in supporting us, please
visit the Foundation's website. You can either talk to one of our Foundation representatives about specific ideas you have, or click on "Give Now." To give to this specific center, make sure to type in 0932 under "what would you like your donation to support?"
Student Opportunities
• Blugold Innovation Club
• Pitch competitions throughout the year
Community Opportunities
Looking to work with students on a project?
Upcoming Events
Entrepreneur Community Mentorship Series with Coven Cofounders: In an effort to both support the fantastic work of the UWEC Entrepreneurial Staff, and help to expand the ecosystem of support, resources, knowledge and access for community members, The Coven will be leading a series of programming focused on early stage entrepreneurs. Across this 3-session mentorship series community members will have the opportunity to participate in presentations supported with open dialogue, problem solving, mentorship, and resource identification. Community members can participate in individual sessions, or take part in all 3.
Sessions will be hosted at The Coven Eau Claire and include coffee, tea and snacks for participants.
Find Your Purpose | Friday, March 27th | 10 - 11:30am
Living a purposeful life goes far beyond career milestones or surface-level success—it’s about connecting deeply with what truly drives you and channeling that passion into the work you do. In today’s fast-paced world filled with distractions and pressures, uncovering your “why” and aligning it with your career is more important than ever. Coven Founding Partner Bethany Iverson’s session will help you define your “why” and map a vision statement for your future to influence and support the work you are doing and hope to do.
Crowdfunding Your Way to Launch | Friday, April 17th | 10 - 11:30am
After raising $350,000 via crowdfunding and coaching hundreds of entrepreneurs, The CEO of the Coven, Alex West Steinman, knows the ins and outs of building a successful crowdfunding campaign. In this session, you’ll learn how to use a crowdfunding campaign to confidently launch your business. We’ll also walk through how to build your brand, test your product in the market before launch, refine your pitch and rewards, and keep yourself and others accountable.
Ask Me Anything - Entrepreneur Panel | Friday, May 22nd | 10 - 11:30am
Join Local Entrepreneurs and Coven Cofounders in this lively and action-oriented panel that will cover everything from introductory knowledge to nitty-gritty details. This session is all about YOU, ask panelists anything that may be helpful for your stage and future.
