Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship

"From this school, I’ll tell you, will go men and women whose influence will be felt for good toward the establishment of peace internationally."

- David O. McKay

Be the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship exists to equip students in all fields, from Arts & Humanities to Math & Sciences and Professional Studies, with the skills, knowledge, and experience to create businesses that support families, strengthen communities, and build the kingdom of God. Our programs are designed to complement any major and empower students to use their education and talents to create meaningful impacts.

We offer:

• An entrepreneurship minor that complements any major and equips students with essential entrepreneurial skills.
• Business competitions such as the Great Ideas and Empower Your Dreams competitions, where students can showcase and refine their business ideas and have the opportunity to win scholarship money.
• Mentorship to guide students through every stage, from idea development to business growth.
• Scholarships for students enrolled in foundational entrepreneurship courses.
• Guest speakers from various industries, including professionals and entrepreneurs, who share real-world insights and experiences.
• Experiential learning opportunities, such as the Asia Sourcing Trip, which provides exposure to global entrepreneurship, supply chain management, networking, and internship opportunities.
• Cross-discipline collaboration, supporting students from all majors and backgrounds in applying entrepreneurial principles to their chosen fields.
• A welcoming space for all entrepreneurial ideas, encouraging creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

Imagine the Possibilities

Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business—your entrepreneurial journey should seek to create opportunities, inspire change, and bring lasting meaning around the world.
With students from all over the world and diverse fields of study, BYU–Hawaii is a place of innovation. Whether you are studying business, science, culture, or the arts, the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship helps you develop an entrepreneurial mindset to create opportunities in your own life, home country, and beyond.

The Mission

To help students learn the entrepreneurial process and gain leadership skills so they can leverage their education, talents, and resources to support their families, create opportunities in their home countries, and contribute to building the Kingdom of God.

Willes Center Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a knowledge of the fundamental areas of business.
• Develop adaptable, high-quality business plans using relevant insights for their local market.
• Work effectively with others and develop critical thinking skills to identify real problems that can be solved with entrepreneurial solutions in their home country.
• Learn to communicate effectively in entrepreneurial and cross-cultural situations.
• Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to ethical behavior and Christlike leadership principles.
• Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and understand what it takes to create opportunity in Oceania and the Asian Rim.
• Demonstrate the skills needed to create a real business in their home country - through the use of their education, talents, and resources.

Join Us

If you’re ready to start your entrepreneurial journey, explore our entrepreneurship minor, participate in competitions, and discover how the Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship can help you make a difference.