Luke Burgis initiates faith-integrated entrepreneurship in Catholic communities

Entrepreneur Luke Burgis, having experience in Wall Street finance and Silicon Valley startups, established an initiative named Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience (CEDE) aiming to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset within Catholic communities. CEDE designs platforms and programs that encourage innovation and creativity, fostering a harmonious integration of vocational calling and faith.

After making a mark in tech and finance, Burgis felt the need for a more purposeful path that led him back to his Catholic roots. This realization birthed CEDE in 2020, aiming to unite Catholics worldwide with a platform to exercise their faith more conveniently. Since its inception, CEDE has made significant strides in engaging with Catholic communities and expanding Catholic education globally.

Bridging faith and entrepreneurship in Catholic communities

By 2022, they’ve revolutionized the Catholic Church’s integration with modern technology.

CEDE offers not only spiritual enrichment but also practical solutions to several church-related challenges. Digital solutions and online religious education platforms are some of the steps CEDE took to help the Catholic Church evolve in the modern world.

At the Catholic University of America (CUA), Washington, D.C., Burgis occupies the roles of entrepreneur-in-residence and an assistant clinical professor of business for CEDE. His pragmatic teaching approach and connection to the greater business community have proven extremely beneficial to many budding business leaders.

Burgis developed CEDE to bridge the gap between Catholic social principles and real-world business situations. CEDE promotes innovative thinking, resilience, and creativity among learners, encouraging them to take ownership of their learning journeys and transition from being just participants to creators in the business world.

Lastly, Burgis is set to launch a ten-week digital summer entrepreneurship course for high school students that aims to provide an overview of establishing a business and equip learners with crucial professional skills. The pedagogy of CEDE discourages traditional, rule-based educational models and instead emphasizes experiential learning, creative problem-solving, and independence, preparing students not only to become successful entrepreneurs but also responsible business leaders grounded in ethical practices.