M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship

Technological Entrepreneurship (M.S.)

Our STEM-designated program empowers you with the technology-based managerial and entrepreneurial skills that you need to lead innovative business ventures.

More and more, the creation of societal value and wealth is driven by sophisticated, new technologies—through both the increasing pace of technological change and the effective management of high-growth scaling.

As the only business school in Chicago embedded in a tech-focused university, Stuart School of Business is uniquely positioned to train students with backgrounds in STEM fields to take on key roles in startups and innovative tech companies in this fast-moving, competitive environment.

Stuart’s Master of Science in Technological Entrepreneurship program provides future technological entrepreneurs with the scientific and quantitative managerial skills to successfully engage in entrepreneurial activities, such as developing a business idea, commercializing a technology, or working as an intrapreneur to drive innovation within a tech-based company.

Courses cover essential entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, including but not limited to ideation, market recognition, customer discovery, prototype design, financial modeling, visualization and data analytics, and social media marketing analytics. Throughout the program, you will apply your learning in a capstone project.

Chicago boasts one of the largest innovation ecosystems in the world, and Stuart faculty collaborate closely with the city’s entrepreneurship community to help students develop their professional networks. You’ll also have support through Illinois Tech’s Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship and student entrepreneurship organizations on campus.

Through Illinois Tech’s one-of-a-kind Elevate program, you are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, such as internships, throughout your graduate education, as well as personalized mentorship to guide your academic studies and career planning.

STEM-Designated Program

This is a STEM-designated program, and international graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an extension for Optional Practical Training, which allows selected students to stay and work in the United States for up to three years after graduation.

Program Overview

Combining interdisciplinary academics with a multi-semester capstone project, the STEM-designated M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship program develops students’ strategic and quantitative skills in business, design, analytics, and decision making, and then provides opportunities to apply those skills in real time.

Career Opportunities

The M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship program is ideal for students with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other technical fields who are looking to gain the necessary skills in management, design, innovation, and business analytics to launch startups and take on leadership positions in businesses of all sizes where technology plays a central role.

The M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship program combines qualitative and quantitative rigor across academic disciplines including business, design, statistics, analytics, and management science. You will build technology-based managerial and decision-making skills that are applicable across many industries and types of organizations.

This degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours (10 courses) for completion.

View details

  • Completed online application
  • Official transcript submission with a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • No GMAT or GRE scores required
  • A one-page statement of purpose, with goals and objectives
  • English proficiency exam, if required

Current Illinois Tech undergraduates and recent alumni have options to reduce the number of credits required for this program through the university’s Accelerated Master’s Program. For more specific information about admission and the application process that pertains to you, visit the links below:

 New to Illinois Tech   Illinois Tech Undergrad Student

Have Questions? Connect with Us

Claire Johnson, Stuart School of Business

For any questions about Stuart School of Business degree programs or the application and enrollment process, contact our Director of Student Recruitment Claire Johnson.

 

Tech Entrepreneurship: Ask a Professor

Virtual sessions on selected Tuesdays at 8–8:30 a.m. CT
Learn more about how you can develop the skills, experience, and connections to launch a startup or take on a position leading innovative ventures within a company. Sign up for one of these virtual information sessions to talk with Program Director Nik Rokop.

REGISTER NOW

Scholarships

Students pursuing the M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship degree who demonstrate a continuing commitment to innovation are eligible for the Chicago Innovation Scholarship, which in academic year 2024–25 awards up to $14,000 for the full two-year program. Read more about Stuart scholarship opportunities and tuition and fees:

Stuart Scholarships   Tuition and Fees

Our Core Strengths

Institute of Design outside Kaplan Institute

The Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship was created to help innovative and entrepreneurial Illinois Tech students become the leaders, inventors, and entrepreneurs of the future.

Alumni Relations

A global network of accomplished Illinois Tech alumni is available to engage with and support our students.

Faculty Colaboration

With smaller class sizes at Stuart School of Business, the level of access to faculty is high.

Student Relationships

With a cohort of students completing the two terms in unison, there are opportunities to develop lasting friendships and networks.

Active Learning

Faculty work closely with colleagues and graduate students at Stuart to create knowledge across a wide range of topics in business and technology.

Interdisciplinary Focus

Ideas, expertise, and resources from the fields of business, design, law, and technology produce a rich environment for learning and innovation.

Featured Faculty

Nik Rokop
Coleman Foundation Teaching Professor of Entrepreneurship Director, Master of Technological Entrepreneurship Director, M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship Director, Center for Sports Innovation
Weslynne Ashton
Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability Affiliate Professor to Armour College of Engineering
Elizabeth Durango Cohen
Associate Professor of Operations Management M. Zia Hassan Endowed Professor Assistant Director, M.S. in Marketing Analytics Director, Center for Advancing Corporate Performance
M. Krishna Erramilli
Interim Dean Professor of Strategy
Ghazale Jafari Haddadian
Clinical Associate Professor of Operations and Energy Management
Priyanka Sharma
Associate Professor of Economics
Peter Zapf
Director of Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives Adjunct Professor
Jeremy Alexis
Vice Provost for Academic Strategy Assoc Teaching Prof of Design

Apply Your Learning in a Capstone Project

Startup Ideas

Students interested in developing and commercializing their own ideas into a product or service-based startup can do so in the M.S. Tech Entrepreneurship program.

Research Commercialization

Students interested in bringing to market technologies based on laboratory research from universities and other research institutions will learn the commercialization process in the program.

Corporate Innovation

Students interested in acquiring the knowledge, competencies, and relationships to solve innovation challenges within established companies and large organizations can do so.

Which Tech Entrepreneurship Program at Stuart Is Right for You?

Stuart offers two master’s programs in technological entrepreneurship, both featuring the same interdisciplinary set of required courses and hands-on entrepreneurial experience throughout the program in a capstone project.

  • M.S. in Technological Entrepreneurship—STEM-designated, so international graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an extension for Optional Practical Training in the United States. Offers elective courses focused on analytics and quantitative skills.
  • Master of Technological Entrepreneurship—Offers flexibility for you to choose elective courses from across the university to fit your interests and goals.

“As a tech entrepreneurship student at Stuart, I was able to gain knowledge and skills that have changed my life and how to think forever. I’m proud to be an alumnus of the program, which I believe will disrupt higher education soon. With this program, your future is about to start.”

—Faisal Alshehri, 2021 graduate

“This program has helped me to have a better understanding of people’s needs. Losing the fear to go out, talk with people and customers, and discover their motivations and necessities was without a doubt the greatest skill the technological entrepreneurship program at Stuart gave me.”

—Rodrigo Martorel, 2022 graduate

“The Stuart technological entrepreneurship program allowed me to formulate a personalized curriculum that met my interests and passions. I took a multidisciplinary approach to my degree that no other program would have allowed me to do. It’s hard work, but a lot of fun with some great people.”

—Claire Powell, 2022 graduate

Stuart Stands Out

AACSB logo

Stuart is AACSB Accredited. Only 6% of Business Schools Globally Are.

—Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

98.4%

Career Placement Rate

—Stuart School of Business 2022 master’s and Ph.D. graduates reporting

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Only Business School in a Tech-Focused University in Chicago