Miami University’s College@Elm Sparks Innovation with First Startup, Coarse Culture, Making Global Impact

From College Dorms to Global Success: Miami Entrepreneurs Launch 40+ Startups, Including Mad Rabbit Tattoo

Farmer School of Business Entrepreneurship program, in partnership with the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship, has been focusing on combining rigorous academic research with hands-on learning experiences since its inception in 1992. The program specializes in key areas such as startup and venture capital, social entrepreneurship, corporate venturing, technology commercialization, and creativity and innovation.

The Entrepreneurship program at Miami University engages over 3,200 students annually, representing more than 110 different majors across the university’s campus. While the majority of students enrolled in the program do not go on to start their businesses they do apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to advance their careers in various fields. The program has earned multiple prestigious accolades, including the 2024 Model Entrepreneurship Program Award from the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the NASDAQ Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in 2020. It has also been ranked among the top 10 public universities for entrepreneurship for 16 consecutive years by The Princeton Review.

More than 40 businesses have been launched by Miami students while still in college with notable examples including Mad Rabbit Tattoo, an aftercare company founded in 2019 by Oliver Zak and Selom Agbitor. The company, which ranked No. 4 on the inaugural RedHawk50 list recognizing the 50 fastest-growing Miami RedHawk-owned or led businesses globally, was started after Zak and Agbitor created Mad Rabbit's first balm in a crockpot in their High Street apartment. Zak emphasized that the Farmer School of Business provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with like-minded peers who shared a passion for both academics and business. In addition to its academic curriculum, the program offers students a variety of extracurricular activities, including Social Innovation Weekend, Entrepreneurial Consulting, the Venture Capital Investment Competition, and Startup Weekend.

The program’s reach expanded further with the opening of the Lee and Rosemary Fisher Innovation College@Elm building in 2023. This public-private initiative is designed to foster talent development and support entrepreneurs in Oxford, Butler County, and the wider region. The building houses RedHawk Ventures, a student-led seed-stage venture capital investment organization, and 1809 Capital, an alumni-led venture fund that supports Miami University graduates.

Miami University President Gregory Crawford highlighted the significance of the College@Elm facility, describing it as a "place of discovery, imagination, and creativity." The first startup to emerge from College@Elm, Coarse Culture—a shea butter business founded by Miami alumna VaLanDria Smith-Lash—has been a success. Smith-Lash a  Forbes 30 Under 30 list holder, was also awarded Entrepreneur of the Year for her achievements. Randi Thomas, Vice President for ASPIRE, expressed excitement over the entrepreneurs at College@Elm and their growing impact on the market.

The Entrepreneurship program continues to expand its scope into new areas of research and innovation. In 2022, the Center for Leading the Integration of Faith & Entrepreneurship, which began as a research lab in 2018, became a formal center following a $3 million gift. Tyler Storer, co-founder of OxVegas Chicken and a Miami alumnus, stated that Miami’s Startup Weekend helped him develop a successful business concept with his partner. He also noted that the program’s focus on fostering creativity helped him think outside the box.

Abigail Van Drunen, a student from the class of 2024, highlighted how the Entrepreneurship program at Miami University effectively prepared her for real-world business challenges. The program’s coursework equipped her with essential skills for consulting with companies, engaging in competitive activities with other universities, traveling, and conducting due diligence. She emphasized that the program's focus on practical, real-world events played a critical role in preparing her for her professional career. Through its comprehensive curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and growing network of support, the Entrepreneurship program at Miami University continues to equip students with the skills needed to succeed in a wide range of industries.

Editor's Note:

Miami University’s Entrepreneurship program, in collaboration with the John W. Altman Institute, has been shaping future business leaders since 1992, blending academic rigor with real-world learning. With over 40 student-led startups, including notable success stories like Mad Rabbit Tattoo and Coarse Culture, the program has made a significant impact on entrepreneurship. 
Recent expansions, such as the Lee and Rosemary Fisher Innovation College@Elm building and initiatives like RedHawk Ventures, further strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Miami's recognition as a top entrepreneurship program underscores its continued leadership in fostering innovation and practical business skills. 

Skoobuzz hopes that this entrepreneurial program develops the real-world business skills of students to excel in the field of entrepreneurship.