252 student teams, from across the nation, applied to Texas Christian University’s Values and Ventures Competition.
Out of those applicants, a team of 5 students from the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business were selected to travel to Fort Worth, Texas to compete against school’s such as Brown University, John Hopkins University, Colgate, and University of Georgia.
The Values and Ventures competition is presented by the TCU Neeley Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
They invite undergraduate students from around the world to pitch ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem. Winners take home thousands of dollars to help make their ideas come true; For real, check out the prizes.
Ethan Davis, a Sophomore Business Management major from Dallas, North Carolina said, “The experience of being at TCU was like no other I’ve had. It was a great opportunity to connect and get to know other like-minded individuals.”
While the main purpose of traveling to Fort Worth was to compete and network with other universities, the organizers also immersed the visiting students and faculty into Texas culture with a visit to Billy Bob’s: The World Largest Honky Tonk that included BBQ, live country music, and a bull riding competition.
When reflecting on the experience, Shelby Flood, a Junior Healthcare Management major from Lillington, North Carolina said, “I loved meeting everyone, from so many different walks of life; I learned a lot from the judges and really enjoyed networking.”
“There’s an exponential impact of learning that happens when students get out of the classroom and act on their ideas,” commented Scott Kelly, Director of Entrepreneurship at Campbell University. “As students balance traditional coursework with experiential opportunities, they will see positive impacts on their career trajectory.”