Wharton Stories: Entrepreneurship & Innovation

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The Path From Labs to the Marketplace

Venture Lab event attendees stand together in a row with award recipient Tory Burch at center.

Venture Lab Honors Entrepreneur and Penn Alumna Tory Burch

Four Ideathon participants huddle for discussion in front of an Ideathon an banner in the background.

The Baker Retailing Center 2025 Ideathon

Robert Kress, WG’24 visiting a U.S. Navy boat maintained by Anchor Innovation (Photo Credit: Chief Brian Sheffield, U.S. Navy)
“If I hadn’t gone to Wharton, I’d still be on the corporate climb and wouldn’t have discovered this knowledge, passion and confidence for entrepreneurship,” says Caroline Chapdelain, WG’22.

How these EMBA Students Became Entrepreneurs Through Business Acquisition

Portrait of Wharton MBA Student Derek Gibbs in Huntsman Hall.
The CourseCast system created by Derek Gibbs informs MBA students what classes, on average, they’re likely to receive from Wharton’s unique course scheduling system.

MBA student uses AI to perfect class selection process

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“The ETA community at Wharton played an enormous role in helping me pivot my career, so I’m committed to paying it forward.” – Jason Nguyen WG25

From Venture Capital to Acquisition: One MBA Student’s Journey to Entrepreneurship at Wharton

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“While this program is a challenge, it’s also a once in a lifetime opportunity. You’ll make lifelong friends, join the world’s largest business school alumni network, and learn more than you thought possible.” – Maria Devassy, WG’23

How This Tech Industry Expert Found Value in Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives

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“I was fortunate to grow up playing competitive sports, which helped me build a sense of belief that I could bounce back from any setback. I firmly believe that SuperBetter can develop those same capacities.” – Jan Jaro, WG’23

How WIVA Students Are Advocating For Youth Mental Health With A Startup

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“I left Wharton a CEO, and I’m not the only one. We’ve been brought into these positions because we now have the confidence to embrace our identities as leaders.”

MD & CEO: How the Wharton EMBA Program Helped This ER Doctor Launch an Award-Winning Luxury Sake Brand

A rocket launching into the sky, with flames and smoke visible at the base. The sky is partly cloudy and blue, suggesting a daytime launch.
Prof. Rahul Kapoor and MBA student Arie Kouandjio, WG’23, give a quick overview of this Wharton course on the emerging space sector.

In the Classroom: Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in the New Space Era