Stanford is the Top Producer of Startups in the World The University produces a new breed of startups, including the rarer unicorns and female-founded companies

By Komal Nathani

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Stanford University

Alphabet Inc, Netflix, Nike, Gap Inc…, name any top-notch company in the Silicon Valley, and the alma mater of founders or co-founders would be the US's Stanford University.

According to an August 30 report by the Seattle-based investment site PitchBook Data, Stanford boasts of the highest undergrad programs with the most founders (1,178). The study, however, shows that Harvard University has 1,310 entrepreneurs when it comes to founders with advanced courses' degree. University of California, Berkeley has 1,137, Massachusetts Institute of Technology records 900.

Female Founders Leading the Pack

The report shows that students from Stanford's undergrad program produced 162 VC-backed firms founded or co-founded by women, and Harvard produced 121, with Berkeley coming in at No.3 (118). The report observes that 220 female founders have a Harvard grad school degree while Stanford has 132.

Among the more popular alumanae of Stanford are Mary Ray, co-founder of San Francisco-based healthcare company MyHealthTeams; Theresia Gouw, founding partner of Aspect Ventures; Sarah Nahm, founder of a recruitment firm Lever; and Jenny Lefcourt, partner of freestyle VC Partner, who have passed out of Stanford University.

Breakdown of Unicorns

The report shows 18 unicorn startups were founded by Stanford undergrads while 16 by Harvard undergrads. It adds that 19 companies were launched by 24 founders with Harvard grad school degrees, and 13 by 19 Stanford founders with advanced degrees.

The count of serial entrepreneurs follows a slightly different pattern. Over 179 Stanford undergrads founded more than one funded startup, with Berkeley at No.2 with 168, MIT at No.3 with 154, Penn at No.4 with 137 and Harvard at No.5 with 133.

In its report, PitchBook says, "Tapping networks remains perhaps the most trusted recourse to finding not only the right people with whom to launch a new venture, but also the right providers of needed capital."

It adds, "And thanks to demographics, biases and more, the people you went to university or graduate programs with remain a key component in your network." The report continues, "The evidence of the power of such networks is clear, as we rank multiple university programs by their production of entrepreneurs that have gone on to raise a round of venture funding."

Komal Nathani

Former Correspondent, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

A firm believer of hard work and patience. Love to cover stories that hold a potential to change the momentum of business world. Currently, a part of all-women web team of Entrepreneur’s Asia Pacific edition to jig the wheel of business journalism!

Related Topics

Business News

These Great-Grandparents Booked 51 Back-to-Back Cruises Because It's 'Cheaper Than a Retirement Home'

Retirees Marty and Jess Ansen hopped on a cruise ship nearly two years ago and never left.

Business News

'Beware': Tom Hanks Warns of AI Danger After Advertisement Uses His Likeness Without Permission

The actor shared a screenshot of the false advertisement to his 9.5 million Instagram followers.

Thought Leaders

44 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money in 2023

Do you need some extra cash? Here are 44 side hustles for making money on the side. From freelancing to selling products, find out how to earn extra income today.

Management

5 Essential Tips on How to Be a Great Manager

Here are five key tips that will help you become an effective and successful manager.

Starting a Business

How to Come Up With an Idea for a Business

If you know you want to be your own boss but you aren't sure what type of business you want to start, these tips can help you figure that out.