University of the Ozarks

01/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/30/2025 11:25

E-Club Sparks Entrepreneurial Spirit on Campus

8 minutes ago • January 30, 2025
By Larry Isch
Posted in Business Administration

The team of buiness students William Guillen, Daniella Ugarte, and Gabriel Mendoza will represent University of the Ozarks in the upcoming Arkansas Governor's Cup after winning the inaugural StartUp Challenge Competition, presented by the University's Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) during the 2024 Fall Semester.

The Arkansas Governor's Cup is an annual collegiate business-plan competition among students from the state's colleges and universities. The winning team will be announced during the award's competition on April 16 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock.

The E-Club announced the University's StartUp Challenge winner on Dec. 6. The winning team, "Pet Buddy," took top honors for its concept of taking used clothing items and turning them into pet items such as clothes, toys and beds.

"They impressed the judges with their creativity, practicality, and strong potential for success," said E-Club President Gustavo Lugo.

The other participating teams were "Includify," with students Maria Cabrera Gonzalez and Jacquelinne Retana Teshe; and "Clarity Care," comprised of students Samuel Rockwell, Caleb Gutierrez, and Carol Samaniego. Those teams can also apply to enter the Arkansas Governor's Cup competition if they so desire.

Lugo said the E-Club's purpose for hosting the StartUp Challenge on campus went beyond the competitive aspect.

"It was also about preparation and growth," he said. "Throughout the semester, the Entrepreneurship Club organized a series of workshops to equip the teams with the skills they needed to develop their ideas and perfect their presentations. These workshops covered topics such as market research, financial planning, pitch development, and more, and brought in industry experts to guide the students."

Lugo said one of the highlights for the club last semester was attending a specialized workshop on how to apply for and compete in the Arkansas Governor's Cup.

"The teams had the opportunity to hear directly from competition organizers, past participants, and mentors about what it takes to succeed at the state level," Lugo said "This invaluable experience provided our students with insights into refining their business models and preparing for what lies ahead."

The judges for the StartUp Challenge included alumna Claudia Porras Scott '17, director of Kiva NWA and a member of Startup Junkie; Matt Lundy, business consultant at Arkansas Tech University; and Kristopher Adams, program manager at Arise.

The E-Cub advisors are Businesss Professors NaLisa Brown and Dr. Christine McCain.

"We are very thankful for their guidance and support throughout the planning and execution of the event," Lugo said. "Their mentorship was key to the event's success and to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship on campus."

Nataly Vindas, vice president of the Entrepreneurship Club and program director for the club's StartUp Challenge, said organizing the event was "both challenging and rewarding."

"I collaborated closely with judges, mentors, and our team to review business plans, coordinate schedules, and finalize event details," Vindas said. "It was incredibly fulfilling to see our hard work come to fruition and watch students confidently present their ideas."

Lugo said he is proud of his club's efforts to serve the Ozarks student body "as a valuable resource for all students who are passionate about entrepreneurship."

"It's incredible to see the ideas and enthusiasm that students bring to the table," he said. "The StartUp Challenge isn't just a competition; it's an opportunity for students to start thinking big, step outside their comfort zones, and start building something real. I couldn't be prouder for what all competing teams did. The StartUp Challenge Competition was a celebration of innovation and collaboration, highlighting the immense potential that exist within our student body. It also marked another important step in building a thriving entrepreneurial community at University of the Ozarks. Also, I couldn't be prouder of all the E-Club executive members too, Nataly Vindas, Estefania Bautista, Eduardo Murillo, Caurthney Noel, and Andres Brown. From their different roles, they all contributed to make this event unique and one of the best ones of the Fall 2024 semester on campus."

Topics: Business Administration