Luke Burgis Launches Catholic Entrepreneurship Program to Connect Faith and Work

Luke Burgis, a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur turned seminarian, has founded the Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience (CEDE) to help Catholic students integrate their faith with their professional lives.

Launched in 2020, CEDE is based at the Catholic University of America, where Burgis serves as an entrepreneur-in-residence and assistant clinical professor of business.

After discerning that the priesthood was not his calling, Burgis sought to find deeper meaning in his work. This led him to establish CEDE, which aims to reintegrate Catholic social teaching with the practical aspects of entrepreneurship. The program teaches students to think like entrepreneurs and solve problems creatively, drawing upon the principles of their faith.

Why this matters: CEDE's mission reflects a growing movement to bridge the gap between faith and work, recognizing the importance of bringing spiritual values into the professional sphere. By equipping Catholic students with entrepreneurial skills and a strong ethical foundation, the program has the capacity to shape a new generation of business leaders who prioritize social responsibility and service to others.

This year, Burgis is expanding CEDE's reach with the launch of a new 10-week virtual Startup Venture Challenge program for high school students. The program focuses on experiential learning, creative problem-solving, and independence, challenging participants to take responsibility for their decisions and feel empowered to use their gifts and talents to serve others.

"CEDE is about more than just teaching business skills," Burgis explains. "It's about helping students discover their unique calling and giving them the tools to pursue it in a way that aligns with their faith and values." Through programs like the Startup Venture Challenge, Burgis hopes to inspire young Catholics to see entrepreneurship as a path to personal fulfillment and positive social impact.

Key Takeaways

• Luke Burgis founded the Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience (CEDE).
• CEDE aims to integrate Catholic social teaching with entrepreneurship.
• CEDE teaches students to think like entrepreneurs and solve problems creatively.
• CEDE launched a 10-week virtual Startup Venture Challenge for high school students.
• CEDE's goal is to inspire young Catholics to see entrepreneurship as a path to fulfillment.