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Augsburg’s Inaugural Auggie Entrepreneurship Cup a Success!

George Dierberger talking with studentsOn December 6, 2023, Augsburg held its inaugural Auggie Entrepreneurship Cup. The goal of the Auggie Cup is to help students develop their entrepreneurial skills and prepare them for a successful future. This is done through core curriculum, collaboration between undergrad and MBA students, incubator experiential learning, and mentorship with successful local business leaders. 

A total of 21 students were divided into three groups of undergraduate business, MBA, and graphic design students. The graphic design students developed the branding, logo, and marketing materials. Each group presented their projects in front of a panel of judges. They were graded on 5 criteria: mission/vision/value/situation analysis, graphic design, marketing plan, financial plan, and overall presentation. 

After a “shark tank” style day of presentations, the judges determined first, second, and third place winners and awarded cash prizes. Around 100 students, parents, faculty, staff, regents, business advisory board members, and donors attended the award ceremony and reception. “The event exceeded everyone’s expectations and there was wonderful synergy and teamwork!” shared George Dierberger, MBA Director, and Thomas and Karen Howe Endowed Professor for Entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the student projects below!

 

Picture of first place winners1st Place Winners

Vaske

A proposed AI Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for business owners to use to boost their brand visibility and online presence. 

Team Members

Phil Holt, MBA, 2024

Emmanuel Jean, MBA, 2024

Brynn Hostettler Marketing, 2025

Isabella Barrientes, Graphic Design, 2024

Erick Jaramillo, Graphic Design, 2024

Valerie Yang, Graphic Design, 2024

 

Second place winnersSecond Place Winners

Prairie Port

A proposed product to provide accessible electronic vehicle (EV) charging solutions to underserved communities.

Team Members

Mohamed Elshobery, MBA, 2024

Sibille Okadjo, MBA, 2024

Simon Tewalt, Business, 2024

Ikram Barre, Business, 2024

Estefaney Pina, Graphic Design, 2024

Shah Hasan, Graphic Design, 2024

Casey Kreie, Graphic Design, 2024

Ana Pena, Graphic Design, 2024

 

Third place winnersThird Place Winners

Point B

A proposed service that provides a unique array of sustainable and accessible outdoor experiences for adventure lovers.

Team Members:

Allen Davis, MBA, 2023

Sadia Mohamed, MBA, 2024

Sasha Ortiz International business, 2024

Lauren Damgaard, Graphic Design, 2024

Katie Strombeck, Graphic Design, 2024

Andre Ziemer, Graphic Design, 2024

Blake Carpenter, Graphic Design, 2024

 

Thank you to the 2023 sponsors of the Auggie Cup:

Tom ’72 and Karen Howe

Mike Nathan

Modulate Capital

Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation

SPIRE Credit Union

 

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Director of Corporate Partnership and Engagement Catherine Hurley at hurleyc@augsburg.edu.

Creating Space for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

George Dierberger headshotMBA Director and Associate Professor George Dierberger holds the inaugural Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship. His impressive career at Augsburg spans over a decade. After initially teaching night classes, he became a full-time faculty member in 2012. “I always felt that Augsburg was a premier university, a great brand that is making a difference in students’ lives. I love the communities that we serve, especially the first-generation students and students of color,” he shared. The ability to open doors and work with students who might not have a robust network like multi-generational students at other institutions makes Augsburg unique to George. “If you dig what we do, you’re making the most profound difference in the greatest number of student’s lives.”

George’s passion for innovative thinking and creative problem-solving is reflected in his work. Last year, he was selected as a Fulbright Scholar and spent the 2022 fall semester teaching in Ireland. “I was teaching as part of the Atlantic technological university system, which is in the western part of Ireland, there are eight locations from Letterkenny down to Galway,” George said. “We did a lot of research around entrepreneurs in Ireland and examined what motivates them.” One of George’s main focuses included implementing a statewide entrepreneurship cup. This opportunity allowed innovators to share their ideas and the top winners would receive an award.

“The Irish people as well as their government are very entrepreneurial,” George stated. In recent years, Dublin has become home to several international companies including Apple, Google, and PayPal. “The systems and processes they have in place to support entrepreneurship are what we’re trying to do with the Howe professorship,” he shared. Finding ways to embed similar support systems and opportunities into the Augsburg experience is in the foreground of George’s plans for the future. He’d love to find a way to provide opportunities for students to earn scholarships and monetary prizes through an Augsburg version of an entrepreneurial cup.

Currently, George teaches a leadership course in the MBA program and leads a 580 field study course. The 580 field study course works with entrepreneurs who need help developing a business plan and which the MBA students produce. 

When reflecting on being named the chair for the Howe professorship, George shared, “It’s really so humbling. The Howes’ generosity will inspire change, drive the innovative spirit within our students, and create opportunities for their future success.”

The scope of an endowed position extends beyond the area in which someone is appointed, it can touch many facets of university life and provide the chance for cross-collaboration. An example of this is George’s desire to partner with departments and programs across the campus. There is an opportunity for collaboration between the business and science departments through a new course that will be offered in the fall of 2023. “Our [the business department] proximity to the chemistry, biology, and physics departments provides so much opportunity to pull students in and create really great synergy.” This is another example of how the physical space of the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion is providing unique partnerships.

George’s hope is that someday every business professorship will be endowed by philanthropy. “If we get to this point, integral budgetary resources can be redeployed in strategic ways.” Having a strong endowment will enable Augsburg to thrive in the future and alleviate the financial barriers students face. To date, five endowed positions have been established during the Great Returns: We’re All In campaign totaling $10,012,050.00 in philanthropic support.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and business expert, George examines return on investment and key performance indicators as a way to measure success. “We have very tangible deliverables in place to demonstrate how the entrepreneurial spirit goes beyond my individual position. It’s important to demonstrate how philanthropic investments create long-lasting change.” For George, sustainable positions like the Howe professorship will only strengthen the resilience and success of Augsburg entrepreneurs. 

Sparking Innovation: The Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship

Karen Howe and Tom HoweWhen Tom ’72 and Karen Howe were thinking about how they could support Augsburg, they wanted to spark possibilities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders. They decided to establish the Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship at Augsburg University. Tom graduated from Augsburg in 1972 with a degree in business administration and he and Karen both have extensive leadership experience in the business sector. Tom was the owner and CEO of SwansonFlo Co from 1991-2022 while Karen was an account executive at the creative brand agency, Yamamoto, and later went into business with their daughter, Liz, owning a pet boutique, LuLu & Luigi, in St. Louis Park and Wayzata.

Although he was studying business, Tom also participated on the wrestling team, made lifelong friends as a member of Gamma Phi Omega, (known today as the Gammas) and enjoyed taking classes that were outside of his major. Upon reflecting on what he took away from his time at Augsburg, Tom explained what the Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion represents to him. “Although the building was built forty years after I graduated, the three disciplines taught in that space illustrate exactly what made a lasting impact on me,” Tom shared. “My business courses prepared me for a career, but I uniquely remember a religion class that explored all faiths and an astronomy class that examined our physical origins. They challenged my beliefs and expanded my mind. I may not have known it at the time, but Augsburg gave me much more than a degree. Augsburg taught me critical thinking which is applied to every area of my life.”

Business and entrepreneurship followed Tom and Karen after graduating. Tom began working for his father’s company, Howe Inc. – a business that had been in the family for three generations. “It was a great learning experience where I could contribute ideas and be part of the decision-making process, but I also had opportunities to fail and learn from my mistakes.” Karen’s focus in home economics at the University of Minnesota contributed to her interest in the field. “I enjoyed the marketing classes,” Karen stated. “Understanding its [marketing] many facets became highly important in my day-to-day work.” It was at Yamamoto where Karen honed her skills that prepared her to own her own business. 

Throughout the years, Karen and Tom have supported Augsburg in instrumental ways. At the heart of their philanthropy is their connection to Augsburg’s mission. “Augsburg was founded as a Norwegian Lutheran college and provided an education to first-generation students. Today it continues to carry out that objective and provide students a three-dimensional education: make a living, make a life, and build a community,” Tom said. 

Paul Mueller ’84, chair of Augsburg’s Great Returns campaign shared, “We are all grateful for Tom and Karen’s very generous gift to Augsburg. The Howes believe an Augsburg education will produce the next generation of business leaders who manifest ethical and conscious entrepreneurship—business leadership that makes the world a better place.” 

Through the newly established Thomas ’72 and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship for Entrepreneurship, they hope to strengthen Augsburg’s business department and inspire innovation and leadership. “Two-thirds of all students take classes or major in business. It introduces them to the free-market system, the positives of capitalism, and the power of freedom,” Tom shared. Their accomplishments and desire to help current and future Auggies find success can all be tied back to the American dream. “You have to believe in yourself, get inspired, and figure out how your unique ideas can benefit society,” Tom said. “There are many ways people can find success and not everyone has the same starting point. You don’t have to know everything, but identify your talents and surround yourself with people who will complement your strengths.” Karen added. For Tom and Karen, supporting Augsburg is an investment in future generations that has unlimited potential.

Provost and and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Paula O’Loughlin shared, “We are incredibly grateful for the Howe’s generosity in establishing this endowed Professorship. Developing leaders through entrepreneurship among our students has been a signature commitment in Augsburg’s curriculum since our beginnings. The Thomas and Karen Howe Endowed Professorship in Entrepreneurship will enable us to broaden our offerings for students interested in starting their own businesses for years to come.”