Gustie Entrepreneur CupStudent Entrepreneurship Competition - Saturday, April 12, 2025
The Gustie Entrepreneur Cup brings together student entrepreneurs in an innovative and collaborative pitch competition that showcases the creative spirit that Gustavus students bring to their startup endeavors. Here at Gustavus, we find that great ideas are usually created by trial and error, collaboration, and working in an innovative space that supports ongoing learning and development in a community of entrepreneurial peers and mentors. Students identify real problems and opportunities, find realistic solutions, use insightful data, and integrate important research to develop a strong business model.
How it Works and Key Dates
The Gustie Entrepreneur Cup is sponsored by the Center for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL), and supported by Gustie alumni, special grants, and community partners. Throughout the Gustie Cup process, students are strongly encouraged to participate in various sessions and workshops where they can contribute their ideas, talents, and innovative thinking to address complex challenges. Participants engage with faculty, coaches, and alumni mentors, to support students in developing their ideas into feasible, scalable, and sustainable business models.
- Information/Ideation Sessions (In-person and online): Jan 23 - Feb 19
- Start-up Labs (In-person and online): Jan 28 - Mar 5
- 1:1 Coaching Sessions with Alumni/Entrepreneurs: Feb 15 - Mar 12 (see requirements below)
- Gustie Cup Applications Due: Mar 14
- Gustie Cup Application Decisions Announced: Mar 19
- Final Prep/Pitch Practice for Selected Participants: Mar 20 - April 8
Competition Categories and Seed Money Prizes
There are two categories for the competition:
- Scalable Category: This is for innovative ideas that are scalable to larger and broader markets
- Sustainable Category: This is for business ideas that satisfy strategic community-based needs and/or provide a student with a livelihood after graduation.
Within these two categories, entries can be pitched as a business/for-profit venture or a non-profit organization. The winning business idea in the Scalable Category automatically advances to the semi-finals of the Minnesota Cup. However, all students are encouraged to apply to the Minnesota Cup between March 10 - April 11.
Program Details and Participation Requirements
Leading up to the Gustie Cup, students have the opportunity to participate in guided sessions to leverage tools and resources that will help develop their innovative ideas. Participation in sessions and labs is strongly encouraged, but not required, to apply to the Gustie Cup Competition.
Please RSVP here if you plan to attend any of the sessions so we can plan accordingly.
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