Entrepreneurship course bridges academia and industry

New W. P. Carey speaker series brings industry experts to campus to inspire and guide the next generation of student entrepreneurs.

Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship Peggy Lee always hoped to teach the kind of entrepreneurship class she wished had been offered during her undergraduate years.

"I wanted to create a course that has amazing guest speakers and is small enough for students to build their networks, ask questions, find mentors, and be inspired," says Lee.

When Lee saw a speaker series hosted by her alma mater, Stanford, that bridged the gap between academia and industry, she was inspired to bring a similar concept to ASU. What began as a one-credit speaker series last year has since evolved into ENT 494: Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders' Speaker Series — a three-credit course that brings entrepreneurs into the classroom and gives students opportunities to learn from industry experts while gaining insights into their entrepreneurial journeys.

Throughout the semester, 20 entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, venture capitalists, angel investors, and serial founders shared stories of success and failure across industries, ranging from software to retail to food, with the class's 18 students. Lee was surprised by the guest speakers' enthusiasm to visit campus and engage with students — and by her students' eagerness to connect with guests, ask thoughtful questions, and share their experiences.

"I've been so impressed by the students' initiative to work on their entrepreneurial ventures, network with the broader community, and find internships to develop their skills," says Lee.

Rodney Hu shares industry insights with Professor Lee's class.

Several W. P. Carey graduates returned to ASU to share their expertise and insights with students. Anthony Sarandrea (BS Management '13) spoke about launching his first business, Pocket Your Dollars, while still an undergraduate. Now the tech company's CEO, he shared how he bootstrapped and eventually sold his business, emphasized the importance of relationship building, and discussed the risks and rewards of starting a company.

Serial entrepreneur Rodney Hu (BS Finance '96) moved to New York after graduation to work in investment banking, then returned to the Valley to take over his family's bar and music venue, the Yucca Tap Room. As founding partner of Arizona Distilling Co. and Maui Farms, and chairman of Serenus Global Inc., Hu shared how his banking background helped him anticipate industry trends, the influence of shifting international markets on his businesses, and the tough realities of entrepreneurship — including financial uncertainty and the challenge of balancing work and home life.

Azin Radsan van Alebeek shares industry insights with Professor Lee's class.

Students also heard from industry experts like Azin Radsan van Alebeek, the co-founder and general partner at Emmeline Ventures — a venture capital firm that invests in businesses founded by women and is dedicated to advancing women's health, wealth, and safety; Justin Moore, founder and CEO of the help-based protein brand Agoge; and Brigham Dallas, owner of the Brazilian wax and sugar company Hello Sugar.

Throughout the course, students developed their ventures, which they presented to peers on the final day of class. For some, it was the first entrepreneurial venture, while others already ran successful businesses.

Student Jalen McClellan (BA Innovation in Society '25) has already founded two companies: UndefeatedJ, a sustainable company that upcycles and restores footwear, and Kick'n Kicks, an app that repurposes and sells second-hand shoes. The course gave McClellan the opportunity to seek advice from seasoned entrepreneurs and helped him develop a plan to scale Kick'n Kicks. His biggest takeaways from the class: believe in yourself and your business, surround yourself with the right people, and remember that success looks different for everyone.

"There are so many paths to the version of success you want — whether you carve your way or follow someone else’s blueprint. Risk is part of the journey, and often, the bigger the risk, the greater the reward," he says. "As for failure, I’ve embraced the idea of failing forward: Fail fast, learn fast, and trust that what’s meant for you will align."

Sandul Gangodagamage (BA Business Law '27) agrees that the course has significantly impacted his perspective on success and failure in entrepreneurship. Last year, he won the ASU Venture Devils competition for his online multiplayer gaming company Legion Games, which he founded while still in high school.

"You can't overthink failure — it happens to everyone. The real failure is giving up," says Gangodagamage. "The number one thing I took away from this course is to keep iterating. There is always room for improvement."

Lee's course has been a highlight of Gangodagamage's academic career, and he recommends it to current and aspiring student entrepreneurs who want to learn from — and connect with — industry experts and peers.

"Rather than hearing from just one teacher about their experience, I learned from incredibly accomplished business leaders how they got to where they are today. That's real education," he says.

Some of Lee's students have secured mentors, internships, and jobs through the course, and she says it's rewarding to watch them grow and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

"I hope they become successful entrepreneurs — and remember to give back because people have been helping them all along the way," she says.

Lee's course will be offered again next spring for students who are launching a venture, actively working on one, or are simply curious to learn more about entrepreneurship.

Discover W. P. Carey’s other resources for student entrepreneurs.