Leatherby Center

Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics

Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics

 

Entrepreneurship at Chapman

Welcome to the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics. We inspire, educate, and empower entrepreneurs. 

From students to faculty, staff and community members, our aim is to support all who seek to innovate, launch and succeed in running their own business.  

Our resources include startup incubators and accelerators, workshops and events, a vibrant female founders network, one-on-one mentorship, a pitch competition and the student-run Chapman CEO Club.

The Leatherby Center is your launchpad for entrepreneurship. And the best part? It’s all offered at no cost.

Chapman University Virtual Tour

leatherby group

Why Entrepreneurship?


Entrepreneurship is the future of work. 

By 2034, 50% of the workforce will be contract or freelance work.

By the Numbers

430,000
New Business Applications per Month
43
Of US GDP Comes from Small Businesses
70
Of Gen Z's Want to Start a Side Hustle or Gig

 

Take a Tour of the Leatherby Center

 

549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868

ENTREPRENEURS WHO INSPIRE

Angelica Jauregui smiling headshot
Angelica Jauregui '26

Founder of Aurelia Tea Experiences
experiential loose-leaf teas

sean von kaenel smiling headshot
Sean von Kaenel '25

CEO and Founder of BackStock.ai
and The Drop Irvine

payal vitha smiling headshot
Payal Vitha '16

Co-Founder of Sonu Company
sustainable engagement rings

oscar garcia smiling headshot
Oscar Garcia

Founder & CEO of Need2Say
AI language solutions

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

The Leatherby Center hosts a variety of events open to everyone, offering opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. 

 

ENTREPRENEURS@CHAPMAN

Student Entrepreneurs

Week in the Life of a Student Entrepreneur

Mentors

Mentors and Entrepreneurs in Residence

Alum Entrepreneurs

Unreel Stories - Sundoc Studios

alternate text

Inclusive Innovation Hub

The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics is proud to be Orange County's Accelerate CA: Inclusive Innovation Hub. There is only ONE HUB per county and we are honored to have earned that designation from the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA).

What this means is that we serve ALL entrepreneurs! Our doors are open to everyone — students, staff, faculty, and the even COMMUNITY members. Most of our programs are available to any entrepreneur at no cost!

SPONSORS 

accelerate ca logo
bank of america logo
fourth sector innovations logo