John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise

The John F. Baugh Center is Baylor Hankamer's central entrepreneurship hub — one of the nation's earliest university entrepreneurship centers (founded 1977) and a USASBE National Model Entrepreneurship Program. It fosters entrepreneurial spirit across campus while anchoring outreach programs, research, and the Department of Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation.

• Founded: 1977 (one of first U.S. university entrepreneurship centers)
• Endowment: John F. Baugh gift (1988); expanded 2013 to include free enterprise research
• Location: Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, Waco, TX
• Recognition: NASDAQ Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (GCEC); Top 50 undergrad entrepreneurship (Entrepreneur 2025); No. 6 global entrepreneurship research (TCU 2025)

• baylor-new-venture-competition — Global pitch competition, $200K+ prizes
• baylor-1846-incubator — Early-stage student venture incubator
• baylor-osos-launch — Accelerator for operating student businesses
• baylor-angel-network — Alumni angel network with student analysts
• Bear Challenge — High school venture ideation competition (April annual)
• Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation degree programs (undergrad major, MBA concentration, PhD)

• baylor-lab-to-market — Faculty research commercialization
• baylor-product-launch-program — OIED startup bootcamp and summer incubation
• Baylor Law School Entrepreneurship Clinic