Finstad Grants

To date, the Finstad Office for Entrepreneurial Studies has given more than $500,000 to over 180 students to begin new ventures. Ventures that have been funded span an assortment of interesting fields such as music, jewelry, golf discs, apparel, discount coupons, boat building, importing, magazine publishing, beta fish breeding, bread making and private yoga instruction. Click here to see previous grant recipients.

The Finstad Grant program awards grants up to $3,000 to St. Olaf students or teams that develop the best business plan for an entrepreneurial venture. Funds are awarded to students for entrepreneurial projects with social and economic potential. Students propose an entrepreneurial idea, develop a business plan, acquire a faculty advisor and pitch their idea to a committee. If selected, students then carry out the plan with guidance from the Finstad Office.

As a faculty member you may be asked to complete a Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form » for a student wishing to apply for a grant. Your recommendation provides highly regarded, additional support for the student’s application and will assist the grant panel in determining whether the student can be successful if a grant is received. We appreciate the time and effort that you put into these recommendations! It is also very influential if you are able to attend your student’s pitch which is traditionally scheduled 4-5 days after the deadline. Your student should inform you of the time as soon as they have submitted their application materials.

For STUDENT APPLICATION GUIDELINES click here »