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Founded in 2015, we seek to innovate, teach, mentor, exhort, and model the virtuous, entrepreneurial society.
We seek to be a catalyst for innovation in education at Catholic University of America’s Busch School of Business and within Catholic education and business at large. Our approach unites personalist economic theory, lived experience, and Catholic anthropology, which places the person at the center of business and economic life.
Our center is dedicated to helping intentional Catholics and like-minded collaborators create and grow person-centered companies, made up of individuals with strong character who produce sustainable value for the people and communities they serve. All while living their Christian principles to the highest degree — even to the point of holiness.
We harness the power of principled entrepreneurship to overcome the small-spirited, zero-sum vision of business by inspiring the creation of profitable, person-centered companies.
entrepreneurship education.
principled entrepreneurs who produce goods and services that truly serve.
business as a noble vocation that leads to human flourishing.
students to the liberating fruits of free enterprise.
(potential) entrepreneurs in lifelong learning and offer a community for it.
students to critically engage intellectual traditions that see the marketplace as an order based on entrepreneurship and knowledge creation.
principled entrepreneurship and an understanding of Catholic teaching with regards to business.
The Ciocca Center takes inspiration from the generosity and example of the late Art Ciocca and his wife, Carlyse. Art and Carlyse Ciocca are not only visionary entrepreneurs, but true exemplars of what it means to live out a vocation of service through business. Their entrepreneurial journey goes beyond simply creating wealth—it is rooted in a deep sense of purpose, guided by principles of integrity, service, and a commitment to the common good.
Through the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship, Art and Carlyse have extended their vision, creating a platform for future leaders who are committed to the same values of integrity, service, and innovation. They understand that true leadership is not defined by titles or accolades but by the lives we touch and the legacy we leave behind.
Principled entrepreneurship is not simply about starting businesses or making profits. It is about cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset that is grounded in values, integrity, and a commitment to the common good. It is the belief that innovation, when guided by strong ethical principles, can transform not just industries, but lives.
At its core, principled entrepreneurship is an approach to business and life that integrates personal vocation with social responsibility. It encourages entrepreneurs to see their work not merely as a means to accumulate wealth, but as a calling to create value that serves others, enriches communities, and fosters human flourishing.
In this view, entrepreneurship becomes a force for good—shaped by honesty, responsibility, and a sense of duty to both the individual and the larger society. It is about recognizing that true success is measured not just by financial returns, but by the positive impact we have on the lives of others. Entrepreneurs guided by principles understand that the pursuit of excellence, the courage to innovate, and the commitment to ethical action can lead to more than just business success—they can lead to a life well-lived.
Principled entrepreneurship teaches that every decision, whether big or small, is an opportunity to choose integrity over expedience, service over self-interest, and value creation over mere profit. It is about pursuing a life of purpose and leadership, whether you’re running a company, leading a team, or simply living out your vocation.
Entrepreneurship, when practiced with principle, becomes an expression of the highest form of human creativity, one that is directed not by mere market forces, but by a vision to improve the human condition and build a better, more just world for all.
Andreas Widmer, founder and director of the Ciocca Center, teaches and mentors students in discovering their true calling. A former Swiss Guard under Pope John Paul II, he has led high-tech companies, launched over 100 innovative products, and directed organizations addressing poverty. Passionate about helping professionals find deeper meaning in their work, Andreas highlights principled entrepreneurs who build impactful businesses while staying grounded in their humanity.
Dr. Frederic Sautet, co-founder of the Ciocca Center and Associate Professor at the Busch School of Business, is an academic entrepreneur. He founded and directs the Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship and serves as the academic director of the Strategy, Management and Operations area at the Busch School of Business. Dr. Sautet teaches courses on organization theory, market process and entrepreneurship research, and the history of business and entrepreneurial capitalism. He is currently working on a book on profit and the Church, as well as a biography of Israel Kirzner.
Luke Burgis is an entrepreneur, author, and educator dedicated to exploring human ecology—the interplay between technology, relationships, and societal systems—and how it shapes human desires. He has founded multiple companies and serves as a professor at the Ciocca Center.
Stay inspired with updates from your favorite authors, news on our dynamic programs, and resources to help you embrace your entrepreneurial calling.
Support the Ciocca Center’s mission to cultivate ethical leaders who drive innovation for the common good. Your contribution helps provide transformative resources, programs, and mentorship that empower individuals to create meaningful businesses rooted in virtue. Together, we can inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to build a more authentic and flourishing world.
The Busch School of Business
Maloney Hall
Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave. NE
Washington, DC 20064
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