ADA, Okla. – Students from East Central University recently participated in the i2E Entrepreneur’s Cup, sponsored by Love’s. Despite intense competition, five ECU students placed in a variety of categories, continuing ECU’s longstanding success at the competition, and bringing in a total of $35,000 in prize and scholarship money.
“I’m incredibly proud of how hard the students worked on their business plans this year,” said Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship Director, Dr. Stacey Bolin. “Each of our students had ideas of their own that they were passionate about and chose to tackle a business plan and presentation that is typically handled by a team of 3 to 6 students. Our ECU students worked diligently to prepare a deal summary, participate in an expert interview, write a full business plan with pro forma financials, create a 90-second pitch, and hone a 20-minute investor presentation.”
- Hunter Cook of Ada placed 1st in the Small Business category and was awarded $13,000 in prize money.
- Alyssa McCullar of Ada placed 2nd in the Small Business category and was awarded $9,000 in prize money.
- Godsgift Ezedinma of Enugu, Nigeria was an Oklahoma Business Roundtable Paulsen Award winner and Small Business semi-finalist and received a $5,000 scholarship.
- Jolee Grinstead of Davis was an Oklahoma Business Roundtable Paulsen Award winner and Small Business finalist and received a $5,000 scholarship as well as $1,000 in prize money.
- Vivian Tapia of Pauls Valley was a Small Business Finalist and Pitch winner, receiving $2,000 in prize money.
“The Entrepreneur’s Cup provides real-world experience for aspiring entrepreneurs to practice their skills and receive feedback from professionals as they move forward with their ideas,” continued Bolin.
ECU’s combined student award winnings since joining the competition in 2013 now totals $227,000.
Three of the listed students have begun the process of launching their businesses this summer.
Bolin concluded, “We are very thankful to Love’s and i2E for providing this opportunity.”
Cutline: left to right, Alyssa McCullar, Godsgift Ezedinma, Dr. Stacey Bolin, Hunter Cook, Jolee Grinstead, Dean of the Harland C. Stonecipher School Business Dr. Michael Scott and Vivian Tapia.