Successful entrepreneur Wren to lead Auburn’s New Venture Accelerator

During his 30-year career, Andrew Wren built Wren Solutions from a small entrepreneurial start-up into an international provider of asset protection and security solutions for Fortune 500 companies, ultimately serving as CEO. In that role, he developed leadership teams, built and scaled operations, and established a culture of continuous improvement — measures that positioned the company for a successful private equity transaction in 2023.

On July 1, Wren brings that knowledge and expertise to his new role as executive director of Auburn University’s New Venture Accelerator (NVA).

“Looking back [on my career], the experience gave me a front-row seat to every stage of the entrepreneurial journey — from early growth and market validation to scaling operations, leadership development, capital partnerships and strategic exit,” said Wren, who remains connected to the industry through board service with two companies.

“Andy has a distinguished entrepreneurial record and a passion for developing new ventures,” said Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, dean of the Harbert College of Business. “His expertise, energy and strategic leadership can propel the New Venture Accelerator to extraordinary heights, benefitting Auburn-affiliated entrepreneurs, the university, and the economy of Alabama and beyond.”

An Auburn alumnus with a degree in marketing, Wren is excited to delve into his new role.

Building a national entrepreneurship program powerhouse

“The executive director role sits at the intersection of three things I’m passionate about: building organizations, helping people develop their ideas and Auburn University,” he said.

The NVA is a key component of Auburn’s thriving start-up ecosystem, providing student, faculty, alumni and community entrepreneurs with a full slate of resources to start and grow their businesses.

Wren’s goal is to continue building that ecosystem into a national university entrepreneurship program powerhouse.

“Auburn already has many of the ingredients needed to do that, such as talented students, innovative research, engaged alumni, strong industry relationships and a culture that values hard work and innovation,” said Wren. “The opportunity is to connect those assets into a venture development system that consistently helps founders move from idea validation to company formation, early-stage growth and access to capital.”

As executive director, Wren will manage NVA’s team of entrepreneurs-in-residence — seasoned operators who provide structured guidance and mentorship to NVA portfolio companies.  He manages capital pathways to support the companies, including the AU Kickstart Fund, which provides non-dilutive grants to support promising NVA and Auburn-affiliated start-ups prior to their initial seed or Series A funding; the Tiger Cage Business Idea Pitch competition, which awards over $130,000 of prize money to support innovative early-stage companies created by Auburn students; and external capital partnerships that connect portfolio companies with investors as they scale

“Some of the most successful entrepreneurial ecosystems are built around strong networks and Auburn has an incredible opportunity to leverage the Auburn Family in support of founders,” he said.

He also will continue the partnership with the Lowder Center for Family Business and Entrepreneurship, the gateway to Auburn’s start-up ecosystem, where ideation and early business modeling occurs.

“[The Lowder Center] is a critical element of what we're doing and the start of the pipeline,” he said.  “We need more people on the top of the funnel, and the Lowder Center is really good at evangelizing to get people excited about entrepreneurship in general.”

Wren has a special message for Auburn students — entrepreneurship is not just for people who want to start a company, but rather it’s a mindset for everyone, particularly as technology and AI change the nature of work.

“Entrepreneurship teaches you how to identify opportunities, test ideas, make decisions with incomplete information and create value,” he said. “Those skills are valuable whether you start a company, join a start-up, work for a large corporation or pursue a completely different path.” 

Outside of work, Wren spends his time on hobbies such as golf, woodworking and health and wellness activities. He and his wife have a son and daughter who are students at Auburn. 

“At this stage of life, finding opportunities to spend time with them is a priority,” he said, “and having them on campus is one of the things that makes this role especially meaningful for me.”

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Learn more about the Auburn University New Venture Accelerator