{"id":1245,"date":"2026-01-29T19:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T19:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/?page_id=1245"},"modified":"2026-04-09T00:19:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:19:29","slug":"entrepreneurship-innovation-academy-eia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/entrepreneurship-innovation-academy-eia\/","title":{"rendered":"Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy (EIA)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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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.<\/p>\n

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Upcoming Events<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Event<\/td>\nDate<\/td>\nDescription<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NEST FEST Spring 2026<\/a><\/td>\nApril 23, 2026<\/td>\nACC’s student startup showcase returns to Highland Campus. Pitch your idea, connect with mentors, and compete for prizes. Applications close April 21. <\/p>\n

Free \u00b7 All majors welcome<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

NEST FEST Info Session<\/td>\nApril 17, 2026<\/td>\nDrop-in info session ahead of NEST FEST Spring 2026. Learn what to expect, meet the EDGE Team, and get help with your application. <\/p>\n

Free \u00b7 Highland Campus<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

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What We Do<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Entrepreneurship Education<\/h4>\n

Academic programs and curriculum that prepare students to plan, launch, and grow ventures across all disciplines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Workforce Development<\/h4>\n

Connecting students with experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry professionals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Startup Events & Activities<\/h4>\n

Pitch competitions, innovation labs, and hands-on experiences that bring student ideas to life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Startup Connect<\/h4>\n

Supporting student-led initiatives, pitch competitions, and startup development from idea to launch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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ACC Innovation Ecosystem<\/h2>\n

EIA connects entrepreneurship education across ACC’s centers of innovation, creating pathways for students in every discipline.<\/p>\n

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Bioscience & Life Sciences<\/h4>\n

Wet lab facilities supporting early-stage biotech companies and cross-disciplinary talent development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Civic Engagement & Public Service<\/h4>\n

Skill building and experiential learning for impactful public service and civic leadership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Design & Manufacturing<\/h4>\n

Incubator spaces for fashion entrepreneurs and physical product development, connecting students and industry partners to bring ideas to market.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Agriculture & Food Innovation<\/h4>\n

Sustainable farming, farm-to-table entrepreneurship, and food business development rooted in ecological practices and hands-on student farm experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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For Students<\/h2>\n

Ready to launch your idea? EIA provides the resources, mentorship, and real-world experience to help you build your venture \u2014 no matter your major or background.<\/p>\n

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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?” <\/em>
and delivered! Your idea could be next.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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EDGE Team – first EIA cohort. <\/p>\n

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I’m a student<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Learn About NEST FEST<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Get Involved<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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For Sponsors & Partners<\/h2>\n

Partner with EIA to invest in Austin’s emerging entrepreneurs. Sponsorship opportunities support student programs, pitch competitions and innovation initiatives across ACC.<\/p>\n

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Where It Started<\/h2>\n
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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.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our Team<\/h2>\n
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Executive Champion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Dr. Monique Reeves<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Futurist & Executive Vice Chancellor<\/p>\n

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Leadership Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Dr. Andrea Kehoe<\/h4>\n

Head of Product<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Harshal Shah<\/h4>\n

Program Director – Center for EIA
CEO – The Venture Build, <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Abel Rincon<\/h4>\n

Student Entrepreneur
Team EDGE President
AI\/Automation Specialist<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Past Events<\/h2>\n

Business in a Box: Student Entrepreneurship Lab at SXSW EDU<\/strong> March 11, 2026 \u00b7 Center for Government & Civic Service, Rio Grande Campus<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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WATCH NEST FEST 2025<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Connect With Us<\/h2>\n

Have questions about EIA or want to get involved?<\/p>\n

entrepreneurshipacademy@austincc.edu<\/p>\n

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Have a Question?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Stay Connected<\/h2>\n

Get updates on EIA programs, upcoming events, and student opportunities.<\/p>\n

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SUBSCRIBE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. Upcoming Events Event … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1245","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1245"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1544,"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1245\/revisions\/1544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offices.austincc.edu\/futurist\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}