New Era of Academic Entrepreneurship

The New Era of

Academic Entrepreneurship

Building a business as a professor has always been possible—but thriving in it? That’s a whole new game. Traditional entrepreneurship advice tells you to quit your job, go all in, and never look back. But what if you love academia and want the freedom of a successful business? The old models weren’t built for us. It’s time for a new way forward—one that embraces both worlds. Keep reading to discover why the next chapter of academic entrepreneurship is all about visibility, connection, and community.

The New Era of Academic Entrepreneurship

For years, the message to aspiring entrepreneurs has been clear: Quit your 9-to-5, go all in, and never look back. The online business world is full of success stories that champion the idea that real entrepreneurship means leaving traditional work behind. And yet, for professorpreneurs—those of us balancing academia with a business—that message never quite fit.

We don’t want to walk away from academia. We’ve dedicated years, even decades, to research, teaching, and mentorship. We love the pursuit of knowledge, the impact we make, and the intellectual fulfillment that academia brings. But we also recognize that the system isn’t designed to prioritize our well-being, financial stability, or long-term career security.

So we build businesses. Not because we want to escape academia, but because we want more—more freedom, more financial independence, and more control over our time. But here’s the hard truth: trying to build that business alone is exhausting, frustrating, and limiting. And that’s exactly why we’ve entered a new era of academic entrepreneurship—one where connection, collaboration, and community are the keys to success.

The Three Eras of Academic Entrepreneurship

Era 1.0: The “Side Hustle in the Shadows” Stage

In the early days, academic entrepreneurship was something you did quietly. Professors and researchers with side projects—whether consulting, writing, or course creation—kept it hidden to avoid scrutiny from colleagues, department heads, or institutions. The unspoken rule was clear: Your loyalty belongs to academia alone.

Many professorpreneurs tiptoed into business, fearing that being open about their entrepreneurial pursuits would be seen as “less than” in the eyes of their peers. So, they worked in the margins, late at night, on weekends, trying to make it all fit without attracting too much attention.

The result? Many brilliant ideas never reached their full potential because they were built in isolation.

Era 2.0: The “Figure It Out on Your Own” Phase

As online business models became more accessible, more academics started launching digital courses, memberships, and coaching programs. But there was a problem:

Most entrepreneurship groups, masterminds, and business communities weren’t built for professorpreneurs. They were filled with messages like “If you’re serious, you’ll quit your job” and “Burn the boats—no plan B!”—which, let’s be real, is not the goal for most of us.

So what did we do? We tried to figure it out on our own.

We bought courses meant for full-time entrepreneurs. We joined communities that didn’t understand the demands of an academic career. We followed generic advice that didn’t account for the realities of balancing research, teaching, and business growth. And eventually, many of us hit the same wall:

Without a community of people who truly get it, growth is painfully slow.

Era 3.0: The New Chapter—Thriving in Visibility & Connection

Now, we’re in a new era of academic entrepreneurship. It’s not about quietly working in the shadows. It’s not about trying to build a business in complete isolation. And it’s definitely not about trying to squeeze yourself into communities that don’t align with your values or goals.

It’s about owning your role as both an academic and an entrepreneur—and doing it in a way that’s strategic, sustainable, and supported by a community of like-minded professorpreneurs.

Because here’s what we know for sure:

Academia doesn’t have to be your only source of income. Your expertise is valuable far beyond the walls of your institution.
Success in business isn’t about working more—it’s about working smarter. You don’t have to hustle 24/7 to make your business thrive.
The right community accelerates everything. When you’re surrounded by people who get it, you grow faster, make better decisions, and feel more confident in your path.

And that’s exactly why The Secret Society of Academic Entrepreneurs was created.

Why This Community Matters

Most professorpreneurs don’t feel like they truly belong in traditional business groups. The advice is too broad, the strategies don’t account for the academic calendar, and the entire culture is centered around leaving traditional work behind.

But here’s what makes The Society different:

It’s designed for academics who want to keep their careers and grow thriving businesses—not be forced to choose one or the other.
It’s not about one-size-fits-all advice. Your business isn’t like everyone else’s, and the strategies that work for you need to be just as unique.
It’s a space where you can openly talk about academia and entrepreneurship—because both are part of your identity, and you deserve a community that understands that.

If you’ve been building your business alone, wondering why growth feels slow or why entrepreneurship communities don’t quite fit, here’s the truth:

You weren’t meant to do this alone.