Business Breakthrough is not a pitch competition, it is a business showcase. Successful applicants will get a table where they can showcase their venture or sell their goods and services.
Registration has closed. Come visit the competition or join us next year!
- Students operating businesses at any stage.
- Students with high-potential business ideas.
- Get helpful feedback on your business.
- Build your network by meeting like-minded students, faculty, alumni, and judges.
- Receive a veteran entrepreneur as a mentor from SUU’s ELC.
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Two ways to get cash:
- Every student business that has either A) at least one sale or B) at least one investor automatically qualifies for $100 for participating in Business Breakthrough.
- Credits of $10 will be given to the first 200 students and judges to be spent on student businesses at the event. Students and judges can pay out of pocket as well, so there is no upper limit to what you can sell.
- Application deadline: Wednesday, February 4th
- Participation Confirmation: Friday, February 6thStudent Business Showcase: Wednesday, February 11th Ballroom
- 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Student Shopping Event.
- First 200 students will receive $10 in coins for purchases. Support your fellow students' businesses.
- 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Shopping open to all.
- The team must be organized by a student from SUU.
- The founding student must be registered for a minimum of six (6) credit hours
- The student team members must be involved in all aspects of the competition.
- A maximum of 40 student businesses will be accepted for participation
- We recommend you set up your table to be as inviting to potential customers and judges as possible.
2026 Business Breakthrough Showcase
Emerging Entrepreneur Award - Eric Brinkerhoff, Redline Communications
Customer Magnet Award - Tae Silva, Tae’d Up BBQ & Mac
Branding Boss Award - Shelton Asay, Raw Apparel LLC
Pitch Perfect Award - Samuel Matthews, Sam’s Vacuum Repair
Most Innovative Offer Award - Landon Turley, SparksBeats Music
Most Likely to Scale Award - Jonah Johnson, Dumpster Lovers
Game Changer Award - Steven Calder, Atlas
Service Superstar Award - Tonnel Kalumba, To-Do-Wash
Geek Chic Award - Carlos Barron, AICI Solutions
Showstopper Award - Charli Sanderson, CS Silver & Hyde
Heart & Hustle Award - Dennis Stuprich, Hollow Point Booking & Management
Culinary Crown Award - Avery Clark, Southern Sourdough
Additional Participants
- Darwin Buhler, Western Welded Co
- Jordan Cornell, Thaitie
- Paige LeFevre, Banana Peels
- Austin Duckworth Renstrom, DJ Ozzy Entertainment
- Paige Blackburn, Gigis Rings
- Rilen Tucker, Layer3D
- William Edwards, Willy's Windows and Carpet
- Hannah Fairbanks, Heartfelt clothing
- Eliza Marble, Postcards for Primates
- Mindee Miner, Nail Me!
- Chaz Espinoza, Eazy C Leather Company
- Tyler Schauerhamer, Hammer PCs LLC
- Kelley Hooley, Sun & Flour Events
- Wade Whitman, Pilot Peak Drones
- MJ Land, Clover Hollow Charcuterie
- Isabelle McCleary, We Thrive Life
- Cat McNamara, Curio Cabinet
- Kason Bleak, Color Country Cuts
- Tage Colon, CustomsByTage
- Porter Bradford, Poco Piano Tunings
- Walker Andreasen, On Pace Pit Services LLC
- Alex Petersen, La Onda
- Ellie Brinkerhoff and Karter Ence, Salchi Salvaje
- Wyatt Ellsworth, Crimson Mesa Tax Consulting
- Arthur Su, BudgetBite
- Thomas Johansen, TP Livestock
- Paige Hafen, Homeward Learning
- Logan Hansen, Mark of a Champion
