Entrepreneur's Cup

In addition to the main awards, standout students were recognized for their 90-second pitches. Each winner received a $1,000 award!

Vivian Tapia with Two Cat’s Bakery from East Central University took home the prize for Small Business category.

Emily Geffre with Cardian from The University of Oklahoma was recognized in the High Growth Undergraduate division.

And finally, Shannon Robinson with EcoNest from The University of Oklahoma earned the victory in the High Growth Graduate category.

Entrepreneur's Cup

A new prize awarded at the Entrepreneur's Cup this year, the Black Oak Social Entrepreneurship Award, funded by the Moore Family, recognized teams that blended business expertise, innovation, and a strong commitment to creating a positive impact on society or the environment.

The first-place team was Nourishing Sparks from the The University of Oklahoma, earning $6,000. Second place was Cardian, also from the The University of Oklahoma, winning $3,000.

Each year, the Paulsen Awards, $5,000 scholarships sponsored by the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, celebrate exceptional Entrepreneur's Cup students dedicated to economic development and entrepreneurship.

This year's outstanding recipients were Ahmad Abdullah with samtracs from Oklahoma State University, Godsgift Ezedinma with Godsgift Clothing from East Central University, and Jolee Grinstead with Clean Living LLC from East Central University.

Congratulations to these inspiring individuals for their remarkable achievements!

Finally, clinching the top spot in the High Growth Graduate category was Nourishing Sparks from the The University of Oklahoma! Their innovative concept to enrich education with inclusive cultural materials won first place and $21,000.

Major congratulations to Deepika Volquardsen, Joshua Risenberg, and Kendyl DeArana, along with advisor Ron Bolen.

Entrepreneur's Cup

Kudos to EcoNest from the The University of Oklahoma for securing second place in the High Growth Graduate category! Their biodegradable diaper solution earned them $11,000 and promises to make a significant impact on environmental sustainability.

The team was Aisha Gillan, Shannon Robinson, Maria Sermania, and Senthuran Vijayarajah, along with advisor Ron Bolen.

Entrepreneur's Cup

For the final division, we’re spotlighting the High Growth Graduate winners at the 2024 Entrepreneur's Cup!

Burgess Aerospace Innovations from Oklahoma State University won third place for their HerdsEyeView™ technology, which promises to transform livestock management with drones and AI analytics.

Congratulations to Johnathan Burgess, Matthew Laster, and Roe Djer Tan, along with advisor Matthew Wood!

Winning the top spot – from the University of Central Oklahoma – MagnaZation placed first in the High Growth Undergraduate division! This team won $21,000 for their groundbreaking solution aimed at reducing Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI) and addressing revenue loss in healthcare facilities. Hats off to Theo Ekogbulu, Jazmine Ivery, JP Jeffries, and advisor Maurice Haff!

Entrepreneur's Cup

A big shoutout to ValuSnap from The University of Tulsa for securing second place in the High Growth Undergraduate division! Their innovative AI-powered platform simplifies the resale process by accurately assessing the value of items through photos. Congratulations Alec Izett, Coleton Wheeler, and advisor Chris Wright for their outstanding work, earning them an impressive $11,000 prize!

Entrepreneur's Cup

As we continue to celebrate the 2024 Entrepreneur's Cup winning teams, let’s move to the High Growth Undergraduate division.

In third place is ThinkPot from the The University of Oklahoma with their hassle-free solution for plant care. ThinkPot earned $5,500 – kudos to MacKenzie Davis, Patten McGuire, Reid Smith, Daniel Aguilera, Jaden Bhinhar, and advisor Bobby Lepak!

In the top Small Business spot was Forwritten from East Central University, taking home a $12,000 prize!

Forwritten offers a platform for undiscovered authors to shine, embracing a monthly subscription model to foster wider exposure and reader engagement. Kudos to Hunter Cook and advisor Stacey Bolin for placing first!

Entrepreneur's Cup

A round of applause for Safety Zone from East Central University for clinching 2nd place in the Small Business category, earning an impressive $8,000 prize!

Safety Zone pioneers affordable skill-building activities and mentorship programs for teenagers, alongside 24-hour childcare services, catering to both youth development and working parents' needs. Well done Alyssa McCullar and advisor Stacey Bolin.

Entrepreneur's Cup

It's time to celebrate the 2024 Entrepreneur's Cup winning teams!

Beginning in the Small Business division, congratulations to Camp:U from Oral Roberts University for placing 3rd and scoring a $5,000 prize.

Camp:U crafts customizable camping packages in Oklahoma’s outdoors, ensuring stress-free outdoor adventures for all, regardless of camping experience. Bravo to Timothy Blanco, Ana Gabriela Blanco, and advisor Wendy Wells O'Rear for their remarkable achievement!

The Entrepreneur's Cup owes a huge debt of gratitude to Love's Travel Stops, our presenting sponsor, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in making this event a success. Thanks to the generosity of committed sponsors like Love's Travel Stops, we've been able to award over $2.6 million in cash prizes and scholarships to talented students across the state of Oklahoma.

We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our sponsors who champion Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial spirit and make this competition possible.

We're immensely grateful for the support of:

BancFirstt, The Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma Business Roundtable Inc, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, i2E, Inc., E.L. and Thelma Ga***rd Foundation, Plains Ventures, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, The University of Tulsa, Echo, Moore Family, Oklahoma State University, Ada Jobs Foundation, American Fidelity, Atento Capital, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Cortado Ventures, Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR, Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, MidAmerica Industrial Park, OMRF, REI Oklahoma, TEDC Creative Capital

Your support fuels the dreams and aspirations of our state's future entrepreneurs. Thank you.

Earlier this week, we celebrated two decades of outstanding student innovators at the 20th Anniversary Entrepreneur’s Cup awards dinner, presented by Love's Travel Stops! Out of the incredible 18 teams that advanced as this year’s Finalists, top honors were awarded to teams and students whose business ideas excelled.

The Entrepreneur's Cup showcases the innovative spirit of collegiate entrepreneurs across the state. This year saw a remarkable turnout, with a record-setting 50+ teams from seven Oklahoma institutions of higher education competing for $158,000 in prizes.

Here are the highlights from Tuesday’s awards ceremony. Keep an eye out over the next few weeks as we showcase the business concepts behind each winning team or individual.

In the main divisions of Small Business, High Growth Undergraduate, and High Growth Graduate, first place wins were:
• Forwritten from East Central University (Small Business)
• MagnaZation from University of Central Oklahoma (High Growth, Undergraduate)
• Nourishing Sparks from The University of Oklahoma (High Growth, Graduate)

Second place was secured by:
• Safety Zone from East Central University (Small Business)
• ValuSnap from The University of Tulsa (High Growth, Undergraduate)
• EcoNest from The University of Oklahoma (High Growth, Graduate)

And in third place:
• Camp:U from Oral Roberts University (Small Business)
• ThinkPot from The University of Oklahoma(High Growth, Undergraduate)
• Burgess Aerospace Innovations from Oklahoma State University (High Growth, Graduate)

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Business Roundtable, the Paulsen Scholarships are awarded to encourage Oklahoma students to become involved with economic development and entrepreneurship in the state. This year’s winners were:
• Ahmad Abdullah with samtracs from Oklahoma State University (High Growth)
• Godsgift Ezedinma with Godsgift Clothing from East Central University (Small Business)
• Jolee Grinstead with Clean Living LLC from East Central University (Small Business)

New this year, the Black Oak Social Entrepreneurship Award, funded by the Moore Family, recognizes teams focused on social entrepreneurship. The top teams were:
• 1st Place: Nourishing Sparks from The University of Oklahoma(High Growth Graduate)
• 2nd Place: Cardian from The University of Oklahoma (High Growth Undergraduate)

And finally, congratulations to the 90-second pitch winners:
• Vivian Tapia with Two Cat’s Bakery from East Central University(Small Business)
• Emily Geffre with Cardian from The University of Oklahoma (High Growth Undergraduate)
• Shannon Robinson with EcoNest from The University of Oklahoma (High Growth Graduate)

Hurry! Applications are due at 11:59 PM Wednesday, Feb. 21.
• Business Plans
• Paulsen Scholarship Award
• Black Oak Social Entrepreneurship Award

Don't miss your chance to compete in the 20th anniversary Entrepreneur's Cup, presented by Love's Travel Stops. Develop your business skills, pitch to investors, and win prize money.
Finalists advancing to the Pitch competition will be notified on March 8.

entrepreneurscup.org

Program support by Greater Oklahoma City Chamber i2E, Inc.

Calling all Oklahoma college students! Don't miss your chance to compete in the 20th anniversary Entrepreneur's Cup, presented by Love's Travel Stops. Develop your business skills, pitch to investors, and win prize money. Apply by Friday, Feb. 2. entrepreneurscup.org.

Applications for the Paulsen Scholarship and the Black Oak Social Entrepreneurship Award along with your completed business plan are due Feb. 21.

Program support by Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Applications are now open for the 20th anniversary Entrepreneur's Cup, presented by Love's Travel Stops! 🏆

Are you an Oklahoma college student with an innovative business idea? This is your chance to shine! The Entrepreneur’s Cup is a statewide collegiate business plan competition that encourages the next generation of business leaders in Oklahoma.

Throughout the Entrepreneur’s Cup, you’ll simulate the real-world process of researching a market, writing a business plan and making a presentation to potential investors. Over the last 20 years, 2,700 teams have participated, winning over $2.4 million in cash prizes and representing over 30 college campuses statewide.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of the Entrepreneur’s Cup legacy. Apply today at entrepreneurscup.org — applications are due Friday, Feb. 2

i2E, Inc.

Join us for a virtual informational session on January 18th at 1 pm for an Entrepreneur's Cup Workshop!

College-level students interested in entrepreneurship: discover the secrets to crafting a winning business plan, understanding investor expectations, and nailing your pitch presentation. This virtual event, sponsored by Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is your gateway to honing entrepreneurial skills for success. Register now to secure your spot in shaping Oklahoma's future of innovation!

For students and advisors only.

Register today: https://ow.ly/L2Kz50Ql4xO

After the conclusion of the Love's Entrepreneur's Cup competition each year, the recipients of the Paulsen Scholarship Award are given the opportunity to attend the esteemed Oklahoma Business Roundtable meeting.

Most recently, Kaitlyn Stephens and Aaron Salazar Latham had the privilege of attending the meeting and addressing influential Oklahoma business leaders, including Governor Kevin Stitt and . They shared insights about their participation in the competition and recounted their valuable experiences.

The Oklahoma Business Roundtable generously awards three scholarships, each valued at $5,000, to exceptional students who have showcased their talents in the Love's Cup competition.

And the first-place win (plus $20,000!) in the High Growth Graduate division went to Pherolize from Oklahoma State University for their organic pest control business idea. Pherolize proactively prevents insect damage in a localized area and in a highly cost-effective manner. Farmers can dramatically increase top-line revenue while realizing added benefits of lower operational costs and the option of re-classifying as organic crop producers.

The team was Alicia Young, Lauren Hara and Viswanath Nukala, with David Thomison as the advisor.

i2E, Inc.
Loves Travel Stop

Huge shoutout to Fortis Fleet Technology from The University of Tulsa for securing second place! This team won $10,000 in the High Growth Graduate division for their pitch to provide the ultimate line of cyber defense for trucking firms through a patented, first-to-market Controller Area Network data diode specifically designed for commercial trucking industry use.

Congratulations to the Fortis Fleet Technologies team Molly Wahlgren, Abe Anderson, Isaac Akers, Samir Abi-Younes, and their advisor, Michael Troilo.

i2E, Inc.
Loves Travel Stop

Last but certainly not least are the top three teams in the High Growth Graduate division!

Congratulations to Truck-Well from University of Central Oklahoma for placing third and winning $5,000 for pitching a UCO-patented sensor system uniquely designed to detect abnormal motor vehicle operations. It provides real-time notifications and alerts to drivers, the operating company, and even regulators, dramatically reducing driver and truck-related incidents.

The Truck-Well team was Mark Steele, Davin Burton, Kyla Patterson, Nikki Boyar, with Maurice Haff as advisor.

i2E, Inc.
Loves Travel Stop

In the #1 spot with an award of $20,000 for the High Growth Undergraduate division was Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma team ENDERO!

Menstrual cramping can cause anyone to be cranky, miss events, and purchase many products to try to find a solution. Doctors have recently stated that period pain can be as painful as a heart attack.

ENDERO’s mission is to improve the quality of life of women who suffer from menstrual pain with an effective, controllable, discrete, reusable heated undergarment.

Congratulations to the ENDERO team – Margo Gianos and Braden Wadley, with Craig Shimasaki as advisor.

i2E, Inc.
Loves Travel Stop

Know Your No from Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma took 2nd place in the High Growth Undergraduate division, earning $10,000 for pitching gaming technology that educates minors about abuse.

Every year in the United States, one in seven children experiences abuse or neglect. Affecting 3.6 million children every year, child abuse damages youth mental health, academic success and community safety.

Know Your No engagingly teaches minors abuse education, utilizing innovative interactive gaming technology, to both empower students to speak out and equip educators to facilitate change.

Congratulations to Mia-Lynne Smith, Sutton Bristol, Zoe Buddin, Teddy Diallo, and advisor Craig Shimasaki!

i2E, Inc.
Loves Travel Stop