BUSINESS CONCEPT CHALLENGE FOWLER
Friday, November 21, 2025
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Focused on igniting the entrepreneurial spirit of University of St. Thomas students across campus, the Fowler Business Concept Challenge invites participants to develop a concept with the potential to grow into a viable, high-growth business. Students from 42 academic programs are taking part in this year’s competition, making it a truly cross- campus event. Today highlights the top 32 teams in the business track and social track as they compete in the semifinals. Four teams from each track will advance to the finals this afternoon, where they will compete for a total of $92,500 in scholarships. Every finalist earns a scholarship, with the top team in each track receiving $15,000. Semifinalists who do not advance will receive a $1,000 team scholarship, and the runner-up in each semifinals room will receive $1,500. This year’s 17th annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge includes 142 students that submitted 115 new venture concepts. We are proud to have 63 entrepreneurs and business leaders serving as judges this year, including 26 St. Thomas alumnae.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The Fowler Business Concept Challenge is made possible through the generosity of Ron Fowler. This year, $92,500 in University of St. Thomas scholarships will be awarded across all teams, including three special awards and audience choice awards. Thank you to Ron Fowler and Alexis Fowler, Brian Mark, the Mary T. and James J. Hill Library Foundation, Jill Putman and U.S. Bank for their generosity in making these scholarships possible.
Winner: $15,000 per team 2nd Place: $7,000 per team 3rd Place: $4,000 per team 4th Place: $2,000 per team
Best Use of Technology Award: $2,500 Health Equity Champion Award: $2,500 Kate Herzog Memorial Award: $2,500 Audience Choice: $500
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HIGH SCHOOL GUESTS
High School Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day is taking place concurrently with today’s competition. There are 120 students from 9 high schools learning about entrepreneurship and design thinking, observing the finals presentations, and using their new skills to discuss what they have observed at the Fowler. Thank you to the following schools for participating in today's events. HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY
Austin High School Benilde-St. Margaret's Brainerd High School Hope Academy
Jefferson High School Kennedy High School Mahtomedi High School Pacelli Catholic High School Veritas Academy
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SCHEDULE
7:45-8:30 a.m. | Student Check-in, Flash Drive Drop-off & Continental Breakfast ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall Atrium
8:00-8:30 a.m. | Judge Check-in & Continental Breakfast ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall Atrium
8:30-8:50 a.m. | Welcome ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall
8:50-9:00 a.m. | Judge & Student Orientation Judges: ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall Students: ASC Dance Hall (Lower Level)
9:10-11:00 a.m. | Semifinal Presentations, Q&A + Feedback, Deliberations ASC 2nd & 3rd Floor Rooms Break at 10:50 a.m.
11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Lunch Program ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall
12:15-1:00 p.m. | Elevator Pitches & Finalist Announcement ASC Woulfe Alumni Hall
1:00-1:15 p.m. | Finals Judge Orientation ASC 341
1:15-3:00 p.m. | Final Presentations, Q&A + Feedback Business Track – Woulfe Alumni Hall North Social Track – Woulfe Alumni Hall South
3:15-3:45 p.m. | Semifinalist Showcase & Audience Choice Vote Anderson Student Center 2nd floor
3:15-3:40 p.m. | Judge Deliberations Business Track – ASC 341 Social Track – ASC 342
4:00-4:45 p.m. | Awards Ceremony Woulfe Alumni Hall
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4:45-5:00 p.m. | Reception Woulfe Alumni Hall Atrium
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ROOM ASSIGNMENTS BUSINESS TRACK
ROOM TIME
JUDGES
PRESENTATION
Tony Brausen Greg Cash Sean Higgins Betsy Maus Emily Pritchard Rajiv Tandon Matthew Thompson Monisha Chakrapani Josh Halgrimson Justin Hall Frank Klisanich Alex Masika Andrew Pudwill
ASC 237 ASC 237 ASC 237 ASC 237
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
Aberuca AI BiteBalance Humanized Health PowerPath
ASC 238 ASC 238 ASC 238 ASC 238
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
Arthouse Pattern Programming S.C.A.I SwiftHelp
Jaime Fischer Barry Gisser Bryan Kravis Patrick Moran Bruce Nordin Nick Wolff
ASC 240 ASC 240 ASC 240 ASC 240
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
FundBridge Healaga Scholars Entertainment WOWERS
Jeanine Bassett Chase Haider Antonelli Lindsey Mike Mergen Bruce Moberg Paul Taylor
ASC 341 ASC 341 ASC 341 ASC 341
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
FitCo GoDetail
HelioHeater HempCraft
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ROOM ASSIGNMENTS SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK
ROOM TIME
JUDGES
PRESENTATION
Mark Christensen Phil Ebeling Jules Porter Jesse Reichenstein Nadine Seivert Meg Steuer Jack Dempsey Mo Fahnestock Jennie Lynch Mary Kay Ziniewicz Mackenzie Yates
ASC 202 ASC 202 ASC 202 ASC 202
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
Cognify Connectic Typhi Guard Weha Life
ASC 233 ASC 233 ASC 233 ASC 233
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
Droplet PollyEd PreWave SkillBridge
Bret Busse Shelisa Demuth Rachel Frosch Joe Keeley Chuck Peters Lori Zumwinkle
ASC 234 ASC 234 ASC 234 ASC 234
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
EMME Nova Feed Ruta'al Tommie Takeback
Robert Blake Matt Geiser Tori Hader Ashley Mooneyham
ASC 236 ASC 236 ASC 236 ASC 236
9:10 a.m. 9:35 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:25 a.m.
BedBot Bloom The Clarity Project Zero Spark
Diane Paterson Zachary Quinn
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MEET THE TEAMS BUSINESS TRACK
Arthouse Arthouse is a web platform that supports emerging filmmakers by providing professional feedback, peer reviews and weekly competitions designed to showcase new talent and bring visibility to an underserved creative market. Daniel Jungwirth ‘29, Entrepreneurship Aberuca AI ABERUCA is an AI-powered, plug-and-play home energy management system that automatically monitors, predicts and optimizes electricity use to lower costs and improve efficiency. It combines clean energy intelligence, automation and affordability in one simple solution for every household. Itamar Perez Ryan ‘26, Biochemistry & Physics BiteBalance BiteBalance is a smart nutrition startup that uses a handheld saliva scanner and AI app to detect your body’s nutrient needs in real time, then recommends or delivers personalized healthy snacks. It’s a fast, science-based way to eat exactly what your body needs each day, no guesswork, no tracking. Gianella Carrion ’29, Nursing Laura Jimenez ‘28, Marketing Management FitCo FitCo is a membership-based venture that provides college students with affordable, high-quality fitness and nutrition products—such as protein bars, protein powder and creatine—alongside educational resources and ambassador-led mentorship. Stephanie Felhofer ‘28, Economics & Financial Management Nour Issa ‘28, Accounting & Entrepreneurship Katherine Kennedy ‘28, Accounting FundBridge FundBridge is a platform that simplifies the scattered and fragmented grant searching and application process into a searchable and personalized data base for business founders. Allowing them to spend more time on their business and give them easier access to non-dilutive grant funding. Alexander Anderson ‘26, Entreprenuership Ariana Arentveit ‘26, Entreprenuership
JJ Grosser ‘26, Entreprenuership Cullen White ‘26, Entreprenuership
GoDetail GoDetail is a franchise system unifying the $18 billion detailing industry—one of the largest U.S. markets without a national leader. With fully equipped mobile units, advanced booking technology and a proven operating model, it offers entrepreneurs an accessible, high-margin path to build trusted detailing businesses nationwide. Grayson Spronk ‘27, Entrepreneurship & Real Estate Studies Healaga - Smart Gout Relief & Prevention Healaga is a smart, portable device that merges thermal therapy, uric acid sensing and AI analytics to help users prevent and relieve gout flare-ups before they occur. By combining affordability, data-driven care and local manufacturing in the Philippines, Healaga pioneers a new category of therapeutic diagnostics. Carl Samuel Dela Cruz ‘26, MS Mechanical Engineering HelioHeater HelioHeater is a compact, AI-guided solar-thermal system that autonomously tracks and concentrates sunlight to provide affordable space heating, hot water and clean water. Colin Fjelsted ‘26, MS Electrical Engineering
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MEET THE TEAMS BUSINESS TRACK
Humanized Health Humanized Health is an AI-powered healthcare communication platform that translates complex lab results into compassionate, bias-aware explanations while empowering patients with curated, culturally sensitive questions. It integrates seamlessly into existing lab and telehealth portals to improve understanding, equity and trust in care. Drew Devore ‘26, Executive MBA HempCraft HempCraft is revolutionizing single-use plastic applications through delivering a sustainably sourced, hemp-based plastics alternative that boasts superior performance to petroleum plastics, biodegradability and healthier outcomes for all stakeholders. Henry Pike ‘26, Economics & Financial Management Pattern Programming using AI/ MAUS Pattern Programming using AI/MAUS is a system that enables mobile robotic platforms to operate autonomously through adaptive, repeatable control patterns. It replaces manual remote operation with AI-driven coordination, allowing multiple units to execute complex tasks efficiently and consistently across environments. Mohamed Abdel Hamid ‘26, MS Software Engineering Micah Green ‘26, MS Engineering Management PowerPath PowerPath is a clean-energy subscription service that installs and maintains rooftop solar systems at no upfront cost, providing homeowners with reliable, affordable power through one simple monthly payment. We combine intelligent energy technology with a seamless customer experience to make sustainable power easy and accessible for everyone. Natalie Larson ‘26, Economics & Financial Management Noah MacDonald ‘26, Accounting, Economics & Financial Management S.C.A.I (Structural Control, Analysis, and Intelligence) S.C.A.I is an AI-powered monitoring system that attaches as a small patch to buildings, bridges and other structures to detect cracks, corrosion, vibrations and stress before they lead to failure. It provides real-time data to a cloud dashboard, predicts damage and risk, and can monitor entire structures with as few as 1–10 patches. Ridwan Hassan ‘29, Business Administration & Entrepreneurship Scholars Entertainment Scholars Entertainment is a live entertainment company committed to elevating artists and building community. We provide young artists the event coordination and promotional services they struggle to provide themselves, creating a more fan and
artist focused music industry. Brendan Bonin ‘26, Psychology Thomas Fischer ‘26, Operations and Supply Chain Management
SwiftHelp SwiftHelp is a mobile app that connects motivated youth with homeowners who need help with everyday tasks. It offers young people an easy way to earn money while giving homeowners a reliable, convenient way to get things done. Benjamin Batalden ‘28, Financial Management & Real Estate Studies Waste Outfall Water Energy Recovery System (WOWERS) WOWERS is a micro-hydropower solution that captures unused hydraulic energy from treated wastewater discharge. By installing a compact turbine at the outfall pipe, it converts constant, gravity-fed flow into clean electricity, lowering energy costs, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable urban infrastructure. Xinsheng Tang ‘26, MS Data Science
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MEET THE TEAMS SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK
BedBot BedBot is an AI-powered hospital bed call system that allows patients to request help using voice activation or a physical button and can translate multiple languages and accents in real time. It improves communication between patients and nurses by sending clear, specific requests, making care faster, safer and more accessible for everyone. Rachael Mohr ‘25, Marketing Management Bloom Bloom is a compact, solar-powered water monitoring device that continuously tracks water quality and detects chemical spills in real time. It enables early detection of contamination, supports environmental safety and provides actionable data for rapid response. Kaiya Daley ‘29, Entrepreneurship Cognify Cognify is an AI-assisted education platform that supports neurodivergent students through adaptive visual scaffolding and neuroscience-based interactivity. Grounded in cognitive science research, it creates personalized, immersive learning experiences that improve retention, wellbeing and family engagement—delivering value for both students and schools. Naomi Peters ‘26, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management & Pre-Medicine Connectic Connectic bridges fragmented health data systems by enabling seamless, secure sharing of medical information. This reduces errors, eliminates duplicate tests and empowers patients with ownership over their health data. Quincy Anderson ‘27, Entrepreneurship Droplet Droplet is a technology that captures and purifies evaporated water produced by AI data center. Once the water is captured and purified we put it back into the AI data centers creating a cycle which reduces water usage.
Lauren Bauer ‘25, Entrepreneurship Madeline Bent ‘26, Entrepreneurship
EMME EMME is a rapid-response moving service that helps women escape domestic violence safely within an hour. Through discreet communication, trained female-led teams and partnerships with shelters, it provides a free, immediate path to safety—because it’s not just about moving out, it’s about moving forward. Amelia Ehlers ‘27, Entrepreneurship & Marketing Management NovaFeed NovaFeed is a probiotic feed additive designed to reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock by enhancing gut microbiome efficiency. It supports sustainable agriculture and helps lower the environmental impact of dairy and meat production. Katie Newell ‘26, Accounting & Entrepreneurship
PollyEd PollyEd is an AI-powered classroom assistant that functions both as an adaptive AI tutoring platform and IEP monitoring
technology designed specifically for special education classrooms. Liam Honl-Toledo ‘27, Entrepreneurship & Real Estate Studies Jasmine Lota ‘27, Entrepreneurship
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MEET THE TEAMS SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK
PreWave PreWave is a flood early warning system that uses real-time river sensors and alerts in local languages to warn vulnerable communities hours before disaster, giving them time to act and stay safe. Raian Khaled Navid ‘29, Data Analytics & Economics Duc Cuong Nguyen ‘29, Actuarial Science & Data Analytics Tan Minh Nguyen ‘29, Data Science Ruta'al Ruta’al lets people use the most basic phone to save, send money and get small loans through local community stores. It gives workers without bank access or internet a safe an affordable way to manage their money and create a digital identity.
Sambhav Lamichhane ‘26, Data Analytics & Financial Management Ruben Hapaki Lorenzo Quintana ‘26, Mechanical Engineering SkillBridge
SkillBridge is a student employment company that hires college students for local service jobs—like moving, landscaping and snow removal—while connecting them with professionals in their desired fields. It helps students earn fair wages, gain real experience and build career networks for the future. Jayson Koel ‘27, Marketing Management The Clarity Project The Clarity Project is a mobile ADHD screening service that partners with public schools to offer free, accessible testing for children in under-resourced communities. By bringing licensed professionals directly to schools, it removes barriers to diagnosis and promotes early intervention, academic success and equity in mental health care. Emma Carlson ‘29, Entrepreneurship Isabella Gujan ‘29, Entrepreneurship Olivia Landberg ‘29, Entrepreneurship Tommie Takeback Tommie Takeback is a business that aims to reduce furniture waste from college students during move-out. This reduction is done through refurbishing the donated pieces and reselling them the next year on campus.
Cassia Cady ‘26, Marketing Management Carley Cranston ‘25, Marketing Management Abby Paulino ‘26, Marketing Management Typhi Guard
Typhi Guard is a dual defender of both malaria and waterborne diseases. It is a two-compartment bottle with a leakproof design that filters water in one section and a detachable compartment on the side of the bottle specifically for the mosquito repellent. Atongajua Nadia Khumbah ‘27, Neuroscience Weha Life Weha Life is a solar-powered desalination initiative that converts the salty waters of Lake Beseka into safe, affordable drinking water for households and businesses in Metehara, Ethiopia. By combining renewable technology with a sustainable business model, it reduces waterborne disease, empowers communities and provides a scalable clean-water solution nationwide. Beamlak Petros ‘26, Entrepreneurship Zero Spark Zero Spark is an AI-powered detection system that prevents garbage truck fires caused by lithium ion batteries. By identifying and isolating hazardous electronics before they ignite, it protects waste workers, saves cities millions in equipment losses and reduces environmental harm from toxic fires.
Dhruv Bhinde ‘27, Entrepreneurship Alex Malecha ‘28, Entrepreneurship
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26 Alumni Judges
63 Judges
42 Majors Represented
60+ Mentoring Hours
142 Student Applicants 52 Concept Reviewers
39 Mentors
115 Concept Submissions
$92,500 Awarded in Scholarships
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OF IMPACT
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BUSINESS TRACK SEMIFINALS JUDGES
Jeanine Bassett '87, VP Consumer and Market Intelligence (retired), General Mills Tony Brausen '81 MBA, Opus College of Business Board Member Greg Cash '79, CEO, Independent Director and Board Chair, Argent International Monisha Chakrapani, VP Deposit Product Strategy & Fintech Café Podcast Host, U.S. Bank Jaime Fischer '11, '13 MSA, Sr. Manager, Program Leadership & Transformation, EY Barry Gisser, CFO, American Public Media Group Chase Haider, Founder & CEO, Klaris
Josh Halgrimson, CEO, Supply Chain Solutions Corp. Justin Hall '02 MBA, CCO & Co-Founder, Augment AI Sean Higgins '12, '14 MBA, CEO & Founder, BetterYou Frank Klisanich, Founder & CEO, FSK Enterprise Consulting LLC
Bryan Kravis, Patent Attorney, Grumbles Law PLLC Antonelli Lindsay, President, Antonelli & Associates Alex Masika, Business Consultant, MEDA Betsy Maus '15 MBA, Technology Leader, Best Buy (former) Mike Mergen '95 MBA, Workplace Banking Program Manager, U.S. Bank Bruce Moberg '81, VP Global Commercial Strategy and Policy (retired), Thomson Reuters Patrick Moran, Founder, Moran Consulting Bruce Nordin, Director, Schulze Innovation Fund Emily Pritchard '11, CEO, The Social Lights Andrew Pudwill '10, President, Midwest Playscapes, Inc. Rajiv Tandon, President, The Institute for Innovators and Entrepreneurs Paul Taylor, Founder, Serial Mentors Ltd. Matthew Thompson '97, Market Leader, U.S. Bank Nick Wolff, Senior Project Manager, City of Saint Paul - Planning & Economic Development
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Robert Blake, Owner, Solar Bear Bret Busse '97 MBA, VP & Principal Consultant, Fathom Consulting Mark Christensen '09, '95 MBA, SVP Finance, Solventum Jack Dempsey, Schulze Executive Fellow of Entrepreneurial Practice, University of St. Thomas Shelisa Demuth, CEO & Founder, LAUREL SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK SEMIFINALS JUDGES
Phil Ebeling '99 MBA, President & CEO, EmStop, Inc. Mo Fahnestock, Co-Founder, Authentic Promise, Inc. Rachel Frosch, Founder & CEO, Mom Badge Matt Geiser, Director, ACA/Ethos
Tori Haider, Customer Success Manager, For The Record Joe Keeley '03, Co-founder & CEO, JustiFi Technologies Jennie Lynch, Co-Founder, Momease Solutions Ashley Mooneyham, Co-founder & CEO, Momease Solutions Diane Paterson, Director, Small Business Development Center, University of St. Thomas
Chuck Peters, Founder, Ambit Media Company Jules Porter '18 MBA/JD, CEO, Seraph 7 Studios
Zachary Quinn '13, Founder & CEO, LYM Jesse Reichenstein, Founder, Tebco Labs Nadine Seivert '06, Market Administrative Manager, U.S. Bank Meg Steuer, Executive Director, Minnestar Mackenzie Yates, Owner & Senior Growth Strategist, Towers Growth Mary Kay Ziniewicz, CEO, Bus Stop Mamas Lori Zumwinkle, Senior Managing Director, Accenture
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BUSINESS TRACK FINALS JUDGES RON FOWLER '66, Chairman & CEO, Liquid Investments Inc. Ron Fowler is the Chairman & CEO of Liquid Investments. He is a principal and board member of Columbia Distributing in Oregon and Washington. Recognized as a beverage industry leader, Mr. Fowler has chaired or been a member of numerous corporate and association boards over the past 50 years. Mr. Fowler is the former owner, control person, & Executive Chairman of the San Diego Padres. He remains involved with Major League Baseball and is currently a member of the Pension & Benefits Committee and PDL Governance Committee. The Fowlers are the namesake of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship’s Fowler Business Concept Competition, as well as O’Shaughnessy Stadium’s Fowler Veranda. They are deeply committed to higher education, having also named the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University. In addition, they have established multiple initiatives to support students, including the endowment of the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (in partnership with University of San Diego), which aims to expand the social entrepreneurship ecosystem at both universities and beyond.
AMELIA HARDY, SVP of Brand Strategy & Planning, Best Buy Amelia Hardy is the Senior Vice President, Brand Strategy and Planning at Best Buy. She joined the company in 2014 and has held various roles including Chief Inclusion and Belonging Officer and SVP of Talent Acquisition, Vice President of Strategic Community Engagement, Health Partnerships Sr. Director, Category and Brand Marketing Director. She has had over 20 years of strategic and P&L leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies. Her career experience includes marketing, strategy, brand management, business development and product commercialization. Ms. Hardy is significantly involved within the community. Currently she serves on multiple national and community boards including the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, NAZ and Minnesota Community Care. She has been honored as one of the Top 100 national leaders in DEI, Power 50, Savoy’s Most Influential Executives in Corporate America, and Notable Executives in the Twin Cities.
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BUSINESS TRACK FINALS JUDGES
JODEE KOZLAK ’85, Founder & CEO, Kozlak Capital Partners, LLC Jodee Kozlak was a C-Suite executive with Target Corporation and Alibaba Group. Her career spans over 35 years focused on business strategy, innovation, human capital, and governance. Ms. Kozlak is currently Board Chairman of C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest global logistics platforms, Lead Independent Director of national homebuilder KB Home, and a Director of MGIC Investment. She has advised many public and private companies and was appointed a Stanford Distinguished Career Institute Fellow for 2018-2019. Ms. Kozlak started her career in the audit department of Arthur Andersen & Co. and was a law partner in private practice before joining Target.
PAT RYAN ‘75, Chairman of the Board, Ryan Companies With 35 years at Ryan and following a decade-long tenure as President and CEO of Ryan Companies, Pat Ryan serves as Chairman of the Board. As Chair, he oversees the CEO and is responsible for all board activity, in addition to focusing efforts on capital formation and select development projects. Mr. Ryan is board chair of the University of St. Thomas, past president of YPO and a current member of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO). His further work within the community includes serving as a board member of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, trustee and past president of Children’s Cancer Research Fund, past president of Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School and past board member of Catholic Charities. He is also a founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School—an inner-city college preparatory school for under-resourced children, and is chair of the Spring Point Project, which is focused on finding a cure for diabetes.
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BUSINESS TRACK FINALS JUDGES
PHIL SORAN, Founder, Flipgrid & Compellent Technologies Phil Soran is a serial technology entrepreneur whose ventures have generated thousands of jobs. He was inducted into the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame (2016) and the Titans of Technology Hall of Fame, and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota High Tech Association (2019). He was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young (2008) and El Dorado Ventures (2007). Mr. Soran founded, led, and grew Compellent Technologies from his basement in 2002. The company went public on the NYSE in 2007 and became one of the world’s fastest-growing data storage firms before its $960 million acquisition by Dell in 2011. Before Compellent, he co-founded and served as CEO of XIOtech Corp, also started in his basement in 1995, which was acquired by Seagate in 2000 for $360 million. He later co-founded and served as Executive Chair of Flipgrid, an education technology platform spun out of the University of Minnesota, acquired by Microsoft in 2018. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade at IBM in management, sales, marketing, and technical roles. Mr. Soran currently serves on the boards of Piper Sandler and SPS Commerce. Before entering the tech industry, he began his career as a junior high math teacher in Colorado.
JOHN STERN ‘08 MBA, Vice Chair & CFO, US Bank John Stern serves as vice chair and chief financial officer of U.S. Bancorp, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. He joined the organization in 2000 and assumed leadership of the Finance division in 2023. Throughout his tenure, John has held a series of senior leadership roles, including president of the Global Corporate Trust and Custody business from 2021 to 2023 and corporate treasurer from 2013 to 2021. His extensive experience spans financial strategy, capital management, and operational leadership. Mr. Stern is actively engaged in the community, serving on the boards of Greater MSP (the Minneapolis–Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership) and the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Board of Advisors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.
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BUSINESS TRACK FINALS JUDGES
DAVE ST. PETER, President & CEO (former), Minnesota Twins Dave St. Peter recently concluded a 35-year run with the Minnesota Twins, serving as President & CEO from 2002 through March of 2025. Mr. St. Peter, who currently serves as a Strategic Advisor to Twins ownership and leadership, played a central role in the approval, design, construction and opening of Target Field, which was named 2011 Sports Facility of the Year by the Sports Business Journal (SBJ). The 2024 season marked Mr. St. Peter’s 35th with the Twins. He joined the organization as an intern in 1990 and over his first decade with the franchise held a variety of positions including Pro Shop Manager, Communications Manager, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Senior Vice President of Business Affairs. As the club president, the Twins established a new single-season franchise attendance record in 2010 by attracting more than 3.2 million fans to Target Field, while the team was recognized by ESPN as having the best stadium experience in all professional sports. His leadership has been integral to the team’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment; development of the “Magic Moments” customer service initiative; the “Go Twins, Go Green” environmental stewardship platform; expansion of the Treasure Island Baseball Network; aggressive community outreach; and expansive alumni involvement — including creation of the Twins Hall of Fame.
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SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK FINALS JUDGES
THOMPSON ADERINKOMI, Co-Founder and CEO, Nice Healthcare For more than a decade, Thompson Aderinkomi, MS, MBA has been a leader in delivering solutions that solve the two biggest problems in healthcare — access and affordability. Mr. Aderinkomi is the CEO and co-founder of Nice Healthcare, a technology-enabled integrated care clinic that delivers all care in the comfort of the patient’s home. Nice Healthcare contracts directly with small employers and has grown more than 500% since 2020. In March 2022, Nice Healthcare closed a Series A of $30 million. A tireless advocate for driving systemic change, Mr. Aderinkomi co-founded Healthcare.mn, an organization for healthcare entrepreneurs that has grown to over 2,000 members. In 2013, he was appointed to the inaugural board of directors for MNsure, the Minnesota Health Insurance Exchange by Governor Mark Dayton. He also serves on the board of Youthprise. Mr. Aderinkomi earned a B.S. in Economics, M.S. in Statistics and an MBA from the Carlson School of Management. He has been married for 21 years and is the proud father of two sons.
KEVEN AMBRUS, CFO, Wilder Foundation Keven Ambrus joined Wilder in 2023 as Chief Financial Officer. He leads the organization’s financial functions, ensuring effective and responsible management of Wilder’s resources. Mr. Ambrus develops goals, strategies and policies that strengthen Wilder’s ability to improve lives and make lasting, positive change in Greater Saint Paul and beyond. Prior to joining Wilder, he served as CFO at Propel Nonprofits, a Minneapolis-based non- profit organization that provides consulting and financial services to help other non-profits succeed. Before joining the nonprofit sector in 2016, Mr. Ambrus managed financials and operations for some of the area’s largest employers, including Cargill and Northwest Airlines (now Delta). He is passionate about giving back to the community in ways that leverage his experience and knowledge. He has focused his career on analyzing and developing financial plans that are connected to an organization’s strategy and grounded in collaboration.
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SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK FINALS JUDGES
KEVIN BENNETT, Program Director of Local Catholic Education & Economic Opportunity, GHR Foundation Kevin Bennett serves as Program Director at GHR Foundation, where he leads investments that strengthen Catholic education and expand pathways to economic opportunity across the Twin Cities. Drawing on Catholic social teaching and a deep commitment to human dignity and shared prosperity, Mr. Bennett partners with school, church, and university leaders to advance access, innovation, and sustainability in education. He also helps guide catalytic initiatives such as the $1 billion GroundBreak Coalition, which aligns public, private, and philanthropic partners to expand opportunity and community vitality. Mr. Bennett’s work reflects a deep belief that flourishing schools and thriving economies grow together—rooted in faith, purpose, and the common good.
ANDREW FOWLER, VP of Investments & Strategy, Liquid Investments Inc. Andrew Fowler is Vice President of Investments and Strategy at Liquid Investments, a privately held company based in San Diego. He works alongside his father, Ron, to source and evaluate new investment opportunities and support portfolio companies. Before joining Liquid Investments in 2023, he was on the Acquisitions team at Bridge33 Capital, a Seattle-based real estate private equity firm with $1.2B in assets under management. There, he sourced, modeled, and negotiated the acquisition of open-air shopping centers nationwide. Earlier, Mr. Fowler served as a Client Portfolio Manager at San Francisco–based Dodge & Cox, managing equity separate accounts for institutional clients at a firm with more than $300B under management. He rejoined Dodge & Cox after earning his M.B.A. from Stanford University in 2018. Prior to business school, he spent four years as a Research Associate covering banks and consumer finance companies across three equity funds. Mr. Fowler holds an M.Sc. in Management Science and Engineering (2012) and a B.A. in Art History (2011) from Stanford University, where he was a long snapper on the football team, participating in the 2010 Sun, 2011 Orange, and 2012 Fiesta Bowls.
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SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK FINALS JUDGES
BRIAN MARK, Owner, BSM Equities, Inc. In 2016, Brian Mark founded BSM Equities, Inc., where he currently serves as owner. In addition, Mr. Mark has spent the last 40 years as managing partner of BSM Real Property LLC. He has a passion for business development and has seen great success investing in startups and emerging companies through his equity and property businesses. Mr. Mark is also chairman and treasurer of Jajja Wellness Tonics, partnering in this business with two University of St. Thomas graduates. He serves as an equity partner and board member for Virginia Tile, where he also spent 34 years as the president and owner. Mr. Mark was board chair of the Ridgeview Foundation and has served in various capacities over the past 20 years and most currently as vice chairman of the Ridgeview Medical Center board. He also serves on the boards of Bailey Nursery, Pinky Swear Foundation, Tressman Companies, and Matchless Plastics, Inc.
DAMIAN NOVAK ‘05, Owner, Rabbit Hole Equity, LLC. Damian Novak is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist known for his innovative approach and dynamic leadership. During his career, he has started over 23 companies. With a strong background in technology and finance, he has founded and led multiple successful ventures across various industries, ranging from tech startups to healthcare and financial services. Mr. Novak is highly regarded for his ability to identify market trends and capitalize on emerging opportunities, which has made him a sought-after advisor and mentor in the business community. A strong advocate for innovation and community impact, Mr. Novak is passionate about leveraging technology to create positive change and drive economic growth. Outside of business, he is dedicated to philanthropy and enjoys sharing his expertise through speaking engagements and mentorship programs, inspiring the next generation of leaders.
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SOCIAL VENTURE TRACK FINALS JUDGES
DEB SCHONEMAN ‘96 MBA, President, Piper Sandler Deb Schoneman serves as president of Piper Sandler. She joined Piper Sandler in 1990, in the accounting department, and has held several senior management positions, including global head of equities, chief financial officer, finance director of both equity and fixed income capital markets and treasurer. Ms. Schoneman serves on the board of directors of Hormel Foods, a global branded food company, and on the board of directors of Allina Health, a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and served as chair for three years. She also serves on the board of trustees for the University of St. Thomas. Ms. Schoneman is a director emeritus of BestPrep, a nonprofit organization focused on business, career and financial literacy skills. She previously served on the board of directors of SIFMA. Ms. Schoneman was named to the 2024 and 2025 lists of Most Powerful Women to Watch by American Banker and was awarded "CFO of the Year" by theMinneapolis-St. Paul Business Journalin 2014. Ms. Schoneman earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Minnesota State University Mankato and an MBA degree from the University of St. Thomas.
CASEY SHULTZ, Director of Community and Impact Investing, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation Casey Shultz brings 15 years of leadership experience in the areas of technology, startups, entrepreneurship and venture capital to the Foundation. Most recently, Ms. Shultz served as executive director of BETA.MN, a Twin Cities nonprofit that provides Minnesota-based founders of top local tech startups with the resources to grow their companies. At BETA, she diversified the board of directors, acquired Tech.MN, a startup news-gathering website, and doubled the size of the BETA team. Earlier, she gained experience at The Planning Group of the Northwest where her team was recognized by Barron’s as the top financial advising team in Alaska. She also was an early employee of Silicon Valley startup CouchSurfing Intl – a precursor to Airbnb – helping the company raise its $7.9 million Series A-round. Collectively, she has helped startups raise over $25 million. Ms. Shultz was recognized by Twin Cities Business magazine as a member of its TCB 100: The People to Know in 2021. She earned an MBA at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco.
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BEST USE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD
The Best Use of Technology Award recognizes and celebrates an innovative concept that will effectively and ethically utilize emerging technology to solve a significant problem that has a substantial market opportunity. A scholarship of $2,500 awarded each year at the Fowler Business Concept Challenge. Open to applicants submitting in either track - Business or Social Venture. To be eligible for consideration, students submit an impact statement of up to 1-page describing how the technology could be leveraged to innovate beyond conventional solutions, for example: improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations, streamlining services, creating access to education.
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HEALTH EQUITY CHAMPION AWARD
The Health Equity Champion Award recognizes and celebrates an innovative concept that will advance health equity. This special award seeks to spotlight concepts that are making significant strides in addressing health disparities and ensuring equal access to healthcare solutions for all. A scholarship of $2,500 awarded each year at the Fowler Business Concept Challenge. Open to applicants submitting in either track - Business or Social Venture. To be eligible for consideration, students submit an impact statement of up to 1 page describing how the venture reduces health disparities, examples may include increasing access to quality healthcare services, improving health outcomes in underserved communities,
promoting inclusivity in health innovation, etc.
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KATE HERZOG MEMORIAL AWARD
Kate launched her social venture, House of Talents, to help artisans build the lives they envision for
themselves. This award supports aspiring social
entrepreneurs with a passion for poverty alleviation. A scholarship of $2,500 awarded each year at the Fowler Business Concept Challenge. Open to applicants submitting in the Social Venture track. To be eligible for consideration, students
submit an impact statement of up to
1page describing how the venture addresses social challenges around poverty alleviation, serving under resourced communities and closing opportunity gaps.
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Scan to give
ENTREPRENEUR
A L U M N A
M E N T O R
T E A C H E R
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WHAT'S NEXT?
You rose to the challenge and submitted your idea. Now let’s take it further!
gALPHA Continue to develop your concept or create a new one from scratch! Offered every January, gALPHA is a free, four-week venture-creation workshop designed to help students create high-growth startups. In the program, you will receive mentorship and one-on-one coaching to develop your venture. You will also learn and get feedback from experienced entrepreneurs, build your network and gain access to resources and funding opportunities. St. Thomas Business Plan Competition Take your business concept to the St. Thomas Business Plan Competition. This event is open to all St. Thomas students who wish to further pursue their ideas and ready them for an actual business launch! Get the mentoring needed to submit a full business plan by February 5, 2026. Then, five finalists will pitch on February 27, 2026, for a shot at $10,000 cash! Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge The Fowler GSIC invites students to test-drive a social business idea and join a global movement of entrepreneurs passionate about social change. Teams engage with one or more of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by addressing a social or environmental problem of their choice. The 2026 St. Thomas competition will be held concurrently with the Business Plan competition. Round 1 submissions due on February 5, 2026 and the campus finals will be held on February 27. The top two teams from the St. Thomas campus finals will represent the University at the Global Finals in May 2026 at the University of San Diego, for a chance to win a share of $75,000 in seed funding. Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge at e-Fest The Schulze Entrepreneurship Challenge is the signature competition at e-Fest®, offering student founders the chance to win the top prize of $50,000. As part of the 10-year anniversary celebration, 25 undergraduate startup teams from across North America come together April 23–25, 2026, for a high-energy weekend of pitching, networking and $250,000 in total cash prizes. Submissions accepted January 7 – March 1, 2026. You’ve already got a concept, this is your moment—submit, compete and win big! Keep in touch! Connect with the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship on TommieLink and follow us on social media (@schulzeschool) to stay up to date on all spring 2026 events.
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SPECIAL THANKS
For the generous support of the following donors:
The Ron & Alexis Fowler Family Brian Mark Jill Putman The Mary T. & James J. Hill Library Foundation U.S. Bank
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