The FED was established in 1986 by Dr. J. Robert Beyster to promote the integrated concepts of broad-based, participative employee ownership and entrepreneurship. In 2002, the FED launched the Beyster Institute to carry out the education and training of employee ownership. In 2004, the Beyster Institute became part of the Rady School of Management at UCSD. The FED creates and oversees interdisciplinary research and education programs at business, engineering, social science, labor relations, and liberal arts schools, and entrepreneurship centers. The desired impacts include a growing faculty and research base integrating broad‐based ownership, adoption of these topics into curriculum, and effective application of this new knowledge into start up and innovative enterprises. Our training and tools support entrepreneurs directly in growing their small businesses. The FED also supports entrepreneurs in advancing important, disruptive innovations and growing small businesses through government-funded programs and innovation‐based competitions.