Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Crimson Entrepreneurship Academy.
The Crimson Entrepreneurship Academy (CEA) is a 9-week business development program held in the summer, where participants are immersed in a structured environment that helps them refine their business idea. The Academy focuses on three key pillars: 1) building confidence 2) building business and 3) building networks. Eligibility and acceptance into CEA are based on previous participation in AEI/EDGE or UA entrepreneurship-focused events or similar programs that provide opportunities to learn the fundamentals of starting a new venture. Students will work on their own ideas during the summer, or they can join other start-up teams. Participants that show strong potential (based on their pitch talent, the strength of the business idea, etc.) are most likely to be accepted into the program. Those accepted into CEA are provided with a stipend (up to $4.000) to help support their efforts so that they are able to spend their summer developing their entrepreneurial skills and working on their businesses. The Crimson Entrepreneurship Academy is supported by a generous sponsorship provided by the Medical Properties Trust organization and its CEO and founder, Edward K. Aldag, Jr., who is an alum and long-time supporter of the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute. This is an in-person program with everyone meeting on site at The EDGE from Tuesdays - Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. The commitment is 40 hours per week working on their businesses, and beyond time at The EDGE and together as a group, the rest of the participant time is spent working on their own and doing things like customer discovery work, developing prototypes and meeting with potential customers and mentors.
Decisions will be made on a rolling basis, with the goal of having all final decisions made by May 17. This means that your chances of securing a spot in the program go up for those who apply earlier.
Please note that you may apply for up to 2 years, including the summer after graduation.
This years dates are June 10th - August 7th, Tuesday-Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm, in person at the EDGE or group trips.
Please complete this application to be formally considered for the program. We are excited to see you and your business move forward in your entrepreneurial journey.
Thank you and Roll Tide,
Theresa M. Welbourne, PhD
Executive Director, Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute
Will and Maggie Professor in Entrepreneurship