The aspiring entrepreneurs with the top mini-business plans were awarded at the Springboard Ideas Challenge awards dinner Thursday.
Cash and in-kind prizes were granted to select business ideas under the Student Division, the Community Pre-Revenue Division, the Community Post-Revenue Division, the Most Fundable Award and the Social Entrepreneurship Award.
The winners were recognized and awarded at the Springboard Ideas Challenge awards dinner, where several businesses featured exhibits. The keynote speaker for the evening was Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, a nonprofit organization that helps struggling entrepreneurs allocate funding to support their business ambitions.
Jim Litton, J.D., director of the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy, said he was excited about participation from ACU students this year and that he looks forward to helping those interested in launching their new ventures.
“The process helps participants move one step closer to making their idea a reality, provides valuable feedback from judges and a chance to win significant cash prizes,” Litton said.
Litton said he encourages students with an idea or an interest in entrepreneurship to compete in next year’s competition.
Joey Hatton, freshman youth and family ministry major from Sugar Land, is a fan of the Springboard Ideas Challenge on Facebook, where he won a restaurant coupon for “liking” the contest’s page.
“Students who are passionate about their business ideas are able to share them and are given support,” Hatton said. “Whether it’s from professors or other professionals around them, they are encouraged to continue in their business endeavors. I don’t know if any other university gives students that opportunity.”
Hatton said that he would consider entering the contest if he had a business idea that he believed could be successful.
“This contest shows that ACU really cares about their students and their future outside of ACU,” Hatton said.
Hatton said that he was excited at the possibility of being involved in or hearing about the next big business idea.
“I’m more supportive of the competition knowing that it’s happening here on the same campus I’m attending,” Hatton said. “Knowing students are already successfully thinking and maybe starting businesses here is pretty cool.”
