New Olin fellowship helps MBA students with ETA or family business goals

WashU Olin’s Koch Center for Family Enterprise is offering a unique fellowship opportunity for MBA students interested in acquiring an existing business or working with a family business in transition.

The new Own-Operate-Invest Fellowship offers mentorship; networking and experiential learning opportunities; and financial support for students’ ownership ambitions.

Interested students need to act quickly: The application deadline for this first fellowship cohort is January 6.

The goal of the fellowship program is to provide specialized support for MBA students who are pursuing two separate but related pathways to business ownership: entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA) and family business transition.

ETA allows a student to find, acquire, and run a small or medium-sized business with the goal of growing it. Students may also seek to learn more about the challenges of family businesses, particularly as they transition in ownership.

“The Koch Center is doubling down on our commitment to regional partnerships and growing the next generation of private enterprise leaders,” said Peter Boumgarden, professor of practice and director of the Koch Center.  “We are thrilled to launch the Own-Operate-Invest Fellowship for Olin MBA students.”

The program offers a unique opportunity for students to dive into the real-world challenges of business ownership and operations, while also getting a firsthand look at how investment plays into long-term success.

—Peter Boumgarden

Selected fellows will get support in several ways:

Networking opportunities – Fellows can attend sessions and other networking events, introducing them to influential professionals in these fields.

Mentorships – The program will facilitate 1:1 mentorships with seasoned entrepreneurs, business operators, and industry leaders to help guide their individualized journeys.

Real-world experience – Fellows gain practical experience through hands-on work with businesses undergoing ownership transition or seeking acquisition.

Financial support – The program pays a $3,000 stipend to each fellow for expenses related to their key focus area.

The initial cohort will include five fellows, ensuring a personalized experience. The initial group will be made up of MBA students (EMBA, Full-time MBA, or Flex MBA) who are halfway through their second year. Future cohorts will apply in the spring to begin their fellowships at the beginning of their second MBA year.

Interested students must apply online, including a personal statement and video response to a program prompt detailing your interest in ownership transition and your aspirations in the field. Candidates will be judged based on experience, entrepreneurial mindset, and long-term career goals.

Interviews will be held January 13-17, 2025. The Spring 2025 fellows will be announced on January 21.

The fellowship is being funded through the Koch Center and its key donors: Paul Koch and his wife, Elke, and Paul’s brother Roger Koch and his wife, Fran. The Kochs’ aim is to deepen Olin’s focus on family business, in part through the creation of transformative educational experiences.

“We are committed to giving students practical experience, whether that’s working directly with growing companies or learning how to make decisions that drive real impact,” Boumgarden said.

Learn more or begin your online application here.