Ideas moved fast at ĀĢ²čÖ±²„ās third annual Auggie Entrepreneur Cup, where student teams presented their ventures earlier in the day and returned that evening to celebrate, connect and hear the results. Set against holiday dĆ©cor and live jazz, the reception buzzed with conversation as students, faculty, alumni, and business leaders reflected on a full day of pitchesāand the work that led up to them.
The Auggie Entrepreneur Cup challenges students to collaborate across disciplines and perform at a professional level. Teamsāmade up of one MBA student, two undergraduate business majors, and two graphic design majorsāspend the fall semester developing an entrepreneurial venture, culminating in high-stakes presentations judged by business leaders and faculty.
āThis is experiential learning in action,ā said Dusty Froyum ’98, chair of the Business Advisory Board. āStudents are working across disciplines, refining their ideas, and building relationships that matter.ā
Judges selected the top three teams, awarding donor-funded prize money of $3,000 per student for first place, $2,000 per student for second place, and $1,000 per student for third place.
The first-place team stood out with a venture for Navatar Health focused on preventative screening to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Ryan Harvey ’26, an accounting major, led the teamās financial analysis, while Jacob Henry ā26 said the experience pushed him to think differently and learn from teammates with backgrounds outside his own.
For the graphic design students, Alanna Franklin ’25 and Bri Mccutchan ’25, collaboration meant translating creative vision across disciplines. They noted that clearly communicating how branding brings an idea to life took timeābut ultimately helped unify the teamās pitch and sharpen the final presentation.
Jacqueline Zimmerman ’26 MBA, was struck by the professionalism on display. āI was impressed with the caliber of students and their level of professionalism,ā said Zimmerman, a training program manager at Medtronic. Meeting judge Norm Hagforsāone of the four individuals who helped found Medtronicāwas, she said, a personal highlight.
More than a competition, the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup is about connectionābetween students, mentors, alumni, and industry leaders. George Dierberger, Augsburg’s Howe Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship, is excited for this springās Baby Shark, an expanded competition that opens the entrepreneurial experience to even more students.
Top image: The winners of the 3rd Annual Auggie Cup. From left to right, Ryan Harvey ā26, Jacob Henry ā26, Alanna Franklin ā25, David Perdue, Founder/Principal of Navatar Health, Bri Mccutchan ā25, Jacqueline Zimmerman ā26 MBA. Photo by Courtney Perry.Ģż
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