SUU Hosts Record-Breaking Business Breakthrough Showcase
Published: April 03, 2026 | Author: Taylen Hadlock | Read Time: 1 minute
The 2026 Business Breakthrough Showcase was a record-breaking celebration of student innovation and entrepreneurship, featuring more than 40 student-owned businesses in an exciting and high-energy event sponsored by CC Bank. With over 500 students and community members in attendance, the evening transformed into a buzzing marketplace where guests actively supported student entrepreneurs through purchasing products and connecting on a personal level.
As in previous years, community judges played a very important role, offering professional insight and advice and recognizing their top businesses with a variety of awards. In total, $5,000 in cash prizes were awarded to these small business owners, reinforcing the university's commitment to empowering students and entrepreneurship.
We are proud to announce this year's CC Bank $1,000 Grand Prize Winner: Eric Brinkerhoff from Red Line Communications! His mission is simple yet powerful: keeping first responders connected during emergencies or in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Eleven additional student entrepreneurs were also recognized for their outstanding efforts, each receiving a $100 award across a variety of categories:
$100 Award Winners:
- Customer Magnet Award - Tae Silva, Tae'd Up BBQ & Mac
- Branding Boss Award - Shelton Asay, Raw Apparel LLC
- Perfect Pitch Award - Samuel Matthews, Sam's Vacuum Repair
- Most Innovative Award - Landon Turley, Spark Beats Music
- Most Likely to Scale Award - Jonah Johnson, Dumpster Lovers
- Geek Chic Award - Carlos Barron, AICI Solutions
- Service Superstar Award - Tonnel Kalumba, To-Do Wash
- Showstopper Award - Charli Sanderson, CS Silver & Hyde LLC
- Heart & Hustle Award - Dennis Stuprich, Hollow Point Booking & Management
- Game Changer Award - Steven Calder, Atlas
- Culinary Crown Award - Avery Clark, Southern Sourdough
Contact Information
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu