Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy (EIA) provides ACC students with the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience to transform ideas into ventures. Whether you’re launching a startup, developing a social enterprise, or exploring innovation, EIA is your launchpad.
What Students Are Building at EIA
This spring, ACC students and community members submitted ventures to NEST FEST Spring 2026. The featured ventures below show the range of what entrepreneurship looks like at EIA, from already-operating platforms to MVPs heading to market.
EIA welcomes ventures at every stage, from a first idea to a revenue-generating business, and across every area of study at ACC.
NEST FEST Spring 2026 presenters at Highland Campus. April 23, 2026.
What We Do
Entrepreneurship Education
Academic programs and curriculum that prepare students to plan, launch, and grow ventures across all disciplines.
Workforce Development
Connecting students with experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals.
Startup Events & Activities
Pitch competitions, innovation labs, and hands-on experiences that bring student ideas to life.
Startup Connect
Supporting student-led initiatives, pitch competitions, and startup development from idea to launch.
NEST FEST Fall 2025 presenters at Rio Grande Campus. November 2025.
ACC Innovation Ecosystem
EIA connects entrepreneurship education across ACC’s centers of innovation, creating pathways for students in every discipline.
Bioscience & Life Sciences
Wet lab facilities supporting early-stage biotech companies and cross-disciplinary talent development.
Civic Engagement & Public Service
Skill building and experiential learning for impactful public service and civic leadership.
Design & Manufacturing
Incubator spaces for fashion entrepreneurs and physical product development, connecting students and industry partners to bring ideas to market.
Agriculture & Food Innovation
Sustainable farming, farm-to-table entrepreneurship, and food business development rooted in ecological practices and hands-on student farm experience.
For Students
Ready to launch your idea? EIA provides the resources, mentorship, and real-world experience to help you build your venture — no matter your major or background.
Deanna Deleon, culinary student and founder of Big Bites Bakery, took first place at NEST FEST 2025. She pitched her business to a panel of judges, closed with “Who wants to take a bite with me?”
and delivered! Your idea could be next.
The EDGE Team (Entrepreneurship Development & Growth Events) is EIA’s student-led organization. EDGE members organize pitch competitions, lead workshops, and build Austin’s student entrepreneurship community. Their flagship event, NEST FEST, is ACC’s annual startup showcase.
EDGE Team – first EIA cohort.
Get Involved
Whether you’re a mentor, judge, speaker, or community supporter, there’s a place for you in the EIA community. Show up for student founders and help shape the next generation of Austin entrepreneurs.
NEST FEST supporters bring real-world expertise from across Austin’s innovation community. Our 2025 panel included leaders from startups, computer science education, venture mentorship, and ACC executive leadership – giving student presenters direct feedback from professionals who build and invest in real businesses.
For Sponsors & Partners
Partner with EIA to invest in Austin’s emerging entrepreneurs. Sponsorship opportunities support student programs, pitch competitions and innovation initiatives across ACC.
Where It Started
In Spring 2025, five students were recruited to build ACC’s first entrepreneurship program from the ground up. Over the next six months, this founding cohort planned, organized, and launched NEST FEST – ACC’s inaugural student pitch competition. With 15 student presenters and 150+ attendees, what started at a whiteboard became one of ACC’s most impactful student-led initiatives. Their work laid the foundation for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy.
Our Team
Executive Champion
Dr. Monique Reeves
Futurist & Executive Vice Chancellor
Leadership Team
Dr. Andrea Kehoe
Head of Product
Harshal Shah
Program Director – Center for EIA
CEO – The Venture Build
Abel Rincon
Student Entrepreneur
Team EDGE President
AI/Automation Specialist
Past Events
Business in a Box: Student Entrepreneurship Lab at SXSW EDU March 11, 2026 · Center for Government & Civic Service, Rio Grande Campus
EDGE Team brought ACC student founders to the Central Texas Learning Festival at SXSW EDU. Students learned to build custom AI assistants using Google Workspace Gems, tools that act as marketers, financial analysts, and operations managers for early-stage businesses. Live demos, hands-on builds, and real founder community. Free and open to all ACC students.
In November 2025, ACC hosted its inaugural Nest Fest, a student-led pitch competition that brought together 15 student presenters, industry judges, and over 150 attendees at the Riverside Campus. Students pitched real business ideas ranging from AI platforms to bakeries, receiving live feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and faculty. ACC Vice Chancellor Dr. Reeves delivered a keynote reminding the room that the students who succeed aren’t rare because they’re successful, they’re rare because they started. From a Navy veteran building 3D-printed prototypes to a first-gen student reimagining the motorsports fan experience, Nest Fest proved that when students are given a stage, mentorship, and community backing, extraordinary ideas come to life. Watch the full event to hear every pitch and the energy that launched the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy.
Connect With Us
Have questions about EIA or want to get involved?
entrepreneurshipacademy@austincc.edu
Stay Connected
Get updates on EIA programs, upcoming events, and student opportunities.