Gustie Entrepreneur Cup

The 2019 Gustie Entrepreneur Cup will take place on May 12th, 2019, starting at 2 pm. The judges will allocate $10,000 in prizes and the first-prize winner will automatically progress to the semi-finals of the Minnesota Cup. The event is free and open to the public. We ask that attendees fill out this short registration form. 

Click here to apply

The Gustie Entrepreneur Cup is a focal point of the effort to create a space at Gustavus where students can experiment with putting innovative ideas into action. Entrepreneurship requires critical thinking, promotes creativity and resilience, teaches how to deal with ambiguity, and allows students to learn what questions to ask, and where to look for answers. We also believe that entrepreneurship is the perfect way of blending vocational preparation, service, and liberal arts education.

Video Credit: Carolyn Draayer '15 

Application Timeline: Applications are due on April 15th, 2019. Submit a 100-word summary by March 4th to get access to additional resources. Finalists will be announced on by the end of April and will be required to present an 8 minute practice pitch to the Gustie Entrepreneur Cup Leadership Committee. Teams that pass the evaluation by the Leadership Committee will pitch their ideas to the panel of judges on Saturday, May 12th. To be eligible, all participants must be students at Gustavus Adolphus College as of December 1, 2018.

Application Components:

• Executive Summary (100 words): This is your elevator pitch.
• Opportunity (500 words): Convince us this is a breakthrough idea and an innovative approach. Describe your product/service, the problem it solves, your value proposition and what is unique or innovative about your approach. Who is your target customer and how large is your addressable market?
• Plan (500 words max): Convince us your plan is commercially viable. Explain your business model including operating, sales and marketing plans. What activities will your company perform and what partners/vendors will you rely on, how will your product/service be priced and positioned, through what channels will you reach your customers, how will you create awareness and convert customers. Also, include a list of key team members/advisors that are helping you develop the business. Include summary financial projections and assumptions including projected volume, unit pricing and margins, major operating costs and capital needs.
• Progress (500 words): What progress have you made? What milestones you’ve achieved to validate the opportunity and bring your product/service to market?
• Attachments: Financial Projections.   

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Questions? Contact the Gustie Entrepreneur Cup Leadership Committee, professor Marta Podemska-Mikluch or professor Tom Clement.