Kipp Krukowski

Dr. Kipp Krukowski is a Senior Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship at Colorado State University's College of Business, Department of Management. He also serves as Academic Faculty Director with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and co-creator of the Pivot Jumpstart workshop series for business owners. With over 20 years of practical experience in business valuation, exit planning, and value creation strategies, Dr. Krukowski brings real-world expertise to the classroom.

His educational background includes a PhD from Oklahoma State University, an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business (with concentrations in Production & Operations Management, Management of Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship), and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Youngstown State University.

Dr. Krukowski's research focuses on entrepreneurial exits, small business valuation, and value creation strategies for businesses preparing for sale. His work examines how business owners can improve various aspects of their companies to maximize value before selling, including product or service value propositions, customer segments, company infrastructure, and financial viability. He has published extensively on signaling effects in entrepreneurial exits, particularly how seller rationale affects deal terms, and how entrepreneurs can effectively pitch to investors.

His research portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on practical applications for entrepreneurs and business owners, with recent publications organized around a comprehensive value creation framework for business exits. His work bridges academic theory with practical business applications, particularly in manufacturing and small business contexts.

• Colorado State University College of Business Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award (2022-2023)
• Colorado State University Department of Management Outstanding Teaching Award (2022-2023)
• Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Faculty Fellow (2022-2023)
• 5-Time Tinberg Teaching Innovation Grant Recipient (2020-2021, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2026-2027)

Dr. Krukowski has served as a mentor for Carnegie Mellon entrepreneurs for over 10 years and as a judge for the McGinnis Venture Competition. His industry experience includes founding multiple successful businesses including Equipment Appraisal Services and MFG Valuation Specialists, where he continues to consult on manufacturing business valuations and equipment appraisals. His practical experience informs his teaching of Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation courses.

He maintains strong industry connections through his consulting work with MFG Valuation Specialists, serving clients including major corporations, government entities, and financial institutions. His team continues to help business owners prepare for successful exits while applying rigorous valuation methodologies.