Frequently Asked Questions

What does EP stand for?

EP is an abbreviation for Entrepreneurship Program. In 1998 it was often referred to as the BUEP, Brown University Entrepreneurship Program, but it has since been shortened to EP.

What community does EP serve?

EP aims to foster relationships between students - both undergraduate and graduate – as well as faculty and alumni. With the enthusiasm and committed support of this larger community, EP cultivates a strong educational atmosphere where entrepreneurial thinking can grow. By RSVP, our events are accessible to everyone at Brown and the general public; however, only teams with at least one Brown undergraduate or graduate student are eligible to enter our annual $50,000 Business Plan Competition.

How can I make a donation to EP?

Contributions to EP can be made online. Please follow the instructions found here (PDF) to ensure that your donation is routed appropriately. All donations are tax-deductible.

How can I get involved in EP as a student?

Please contact the EP leadership team at ep@brown.edu to request more information about EP. If you are a current Brown student, you may also join our team via MyGroups.

The Entrepreneurship Program is seeking energetic, dependable and creative people. Students may also apply to one or more positions (VP of Communications, Events, Mentorship and Outreach). These positions will each run for a term of one year and will be appointed in the Spring of the year prior. There is no election process to become a team member. It is expected that by joining EP, you will commit at least 3 hours per week to the Program.

How can I get involved with EP as an alumnus?

Brown alumni and professionals have always played a crucial role in the development of Brown students through connections established by the Entrepreneurship Program. Alumni participation generally involves being a mentor, speaker, judge, and/or a sponsor. Please contact us for more information if you are interested in shaping the future of promising Brown entrepreneurs. The EP team strives to ensure that any interested alumni or professional will have the opportunity to participate actively with our Program and with students. All individuals are invited to join our mailing list by signing up on our website, www.brownep.org, to receive our newsletters and invitations to all events.

Mentor Roles

Office Hours Mentor: Holds office hours to advise individual students and teams starting entrepreneurial ventures for a 3-4 hour on-campus visit, giving 20-30 minutes per team. Office hours are held once a month of the school year.

Team Mentor: Works one-on-one with a specific team to create a successful venture.

Speaker Roles

Keynote Speaker: Keynote speakers are the main features of some our speaker events. We rely on these successful and driven professionals to inspire Brown students to consider ideas and ventures outside the regular business tracks. Previous keynote speakers include Jon Sculley, Debra Lee, David Neeleman, Ted Turner and Kenneth Cole.

Panelist Speaker: Panelists speak at various events throughout the year. In the past, we have hosted discussions on topics including, Finance, Real Estate, Social Corporate Responsibility and Technology. We choose speakers based on success as entrepreneurs and ability to communicate the meaning of entrepreneurship in their respective industries.

Judging Roles

Elevator Pitch Competition Judge: A group of alumni and friends judges students based on their ability to pitch their venture idea in 45 seconds.

Business Plan Competition Judge: We hold two rounds of judging, one remotely and one at Brown. The first-round judges will each judge 3-5 business plans in early April to choose the 5 finalists. At our annual $50,000 Business Plan Competition in late April, a group of 4-5 judges will hear the 5 finalists present their venture ideas, and will choose the winners.