The recent Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup Awards Luncheon, which took place at ULM’s Bayou Point Event Center, culminated the third annual awards ceremony on a successful note. A total of $96,000 in prize money was distributed among the top three teams, with an additional award presented to the winner of the live elevator pitch competition, as determined by luncheon attendees.
The first-place position and the grand prize of $50,000 were secured by Cantaloupe, a team consisting of students from Tulane University and Southeastern Louisiana University. Their winning business plan centred on a software solution aimed at streamlining the hiring process and minimizing staff turnover in the food service and hospitality industry. Team leader Rich Simmerman, members Joshua Anderson and Lane Degenhardt, and advisor Jane Cooper were the masterminds behind Cantaloupe.
Taking home the second-place prize of $25,000 was Tipzy, a team from Tulane University. Their innovative software platform simplifies the process of receiving and managing song requests in bars, benefiting both bar owners and patrons. The team was led by Josh McCoy, with members Jake Marzullo and Tenley Gorman, and advisor Rob Lalka.
Securing third place and a $10,000 prize was Trigworks, featuring a team from ULM. The team introduced a revolutionary device designed to enhance muscle care with its eco-friendly, heat-equipped massage tools. Team leader Janet Stopka, along with members Mackenzie King, Viktor Motov, Valeryia Turbskaya, and advisor Veronkia Humphries, were the masterminds behind Trigworks.
The advisors from each of the top three teams also received a $3,000 prize, acknowledging their valuable contribution to the success of their respective teams.
Supriya Pudasainy from Sketchman claimed the spotlight as the winner of the live elevator pitch competition, walking away with a $2,000 prize after captivating the attendees with their application powered by AI, designed to create criminal sketches based on witness descriptions for law enforcement use.
The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, which recently completed its third year, extended its eligibility to teams from any four-year university or college in Louisiana. The competition received 22 entries from various institutions that included the University of Louisiana Monroe, University of New Orleans, Tulane University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana Lafayette, Centenary College of Louisiana, and Northwestern State University.
Dhu Thompson, Premier Sponsor, and Founder of The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, shared inspiring remarks during the luncheon. Emphasising the inevitability of failure in entrepreneurship, Thompson urged the student competitors to embrace the learning experiences that come with failure. He also encouraged them to set ambitious goals, highlighting that real self-confidence stems from establishing and achieving those goals.
The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup, open to students of all majors, aims to foster critical thinking, team-building, presentation, and other soft skills essential for career growth. This prestigious competition seeks to inspire participants and the community to think entrepreneurially by rewarding creativity, professionalism, and hard work.
The event was made possible through the leadership of ULM alumnus Dhu Thompson, a distinguished figure in the field of entrepreneurship. Thompson, the founder of The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup and a successful entrepreneur himself, has dedicated his efforts to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Entrepreneurship Pelican Cup has undoubtedly provided a platform for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative business ideas and has continued to fuel entrepreneurial growth in the region. For more details about the event, you can visit www.ulm.edu/pelicancup.