Ideas take the stage at the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup

Ideas moved fast at Augsburg University’s third annual Auggie Entrepreneur Cup, where student teams presented their ventures earlier in the day and returned that evening to celebrate, connect and hear the results. Set against holiday décor and live jazz, the reception buzzed with conversation as students, faculty, alumni, and business leaders reflected on a full day of pitches—and the work that led up to them.

The Auggie Entrepreneur Cup challenges students to collaborate across disciplines and perform at a professional level. Teams—made up of one MBA student, two undergraduate business majors, and two graphic design majors—spend the fall semester developing an entrepreneurial venture, culminating in high-stakes presentations judged by business leaders and faculty.

“This is experiential learning in action,” said Dusty Froyum ’98, chair of the Business Advisory Board. “Students are working across disciplines, refining their ideas, and building relationships that matter.”

Judges selected the top three teams, awarding donor-funded prize money of $3,000 per student for first place, $2,000 per student for second place, and $1,000 per student for third place.

The first-place team stood out with a venture for Navatar Health focused on preventative screening to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Ryan Harvey ’26, an accounting major, led the team’s financial analysis, while Jacob Henry ’26 said the experience pushed him to think differently and learn from teammates with backgrounds outside his own.

For the graphic design students, Alanna Franklin ’25 and Bri Mccutchan ’25, collaboration meant translating creative vision across disciplines. They noted that clearly communicating how branding brings an idea to life took time—but ultimately helped unify the team’s pitch and sharpen the final presentation.

Jacqueline Zimmerman ’26 MBA, was struck by the professionalism on display. “I was impressed with the caliber of students and their level of professionalism,” said Zimmerman, a training program manager at Medtronic. Meeting judge Norm Hagfors—one of the four individuals who helped found Medtronic—was, she said, a personal highlight.

More than a competition, the Auggie Entrepreneur Cup is about connection—between students, mentors, alumni, and industry leaders. George Dierberger, Augsburg’s Howe Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship, is excited for this spring’s Baby Shark, an expanded competition that opens the entrepreneurial experience to even more students.

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Top image: The winners of the 3rd Annual Auggie Cup. From left to right, Ryan Harvey ’26, Jacob Henry ’26, Alanna Franklin ’25, David Perdue, Founder/Principal of Navatar Health, Bri Mccutchan ’25, Jacqueline Zimmerman ’26 MBA. Photo by Courtney Perry.