The Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge, the largest undergraduate national business pitch competition, announced that a student entrepreneur venture team from the University of St. Thomas was the winner of this year’s competition. They will receive the $75,000 first prize for ExpressionMed, a business that creates and sells medical adhesives to extend the life of expensive wearable devices. The winners also will receive a range of support that includes joining a network of entrepreneurs and advisors and receiving mentorship and counsel as they continue on to execute their business plan.
The Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge is underwritten by the Richard M. Schulze Foundation and attracts over 140 teams from 110 schools of business and entrepreneurship across North America. The top 25 finalists were given an all-expenses paid trip to the competition finals held in Minneapolis from April 12-14, 2018 at the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship.
“I understand the challenges and obstacles that entrepreneurs face,” said Best Buy Founder Richard M. Schulze. “That is why the Schulze Family Foundation has invested a quarter-of-a-million dollars in the Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge. It’s not only a national competition; it builds a national network for this next generation of successful business leaders. Entrepreneurship is the backbone of our nation’s economy. It’s exciting for me to be a meaningful part of making each of these entrepreneurs successful.”
In total $250,000 in prize money was awarded to aspiring student entrepreneurs via the competition for teams taking first through fifth place, as well as for a Social Impact Award and a Global Impact Award, and for smaller pitch and innovation prizes.
