The Ole Cup: Where Liberal Arts Meets Limitless Potential

Hold onto your entrepreneurial hats, folks, because 2024 marks a whole decade of the Ole Cup at St. Olaf College! This ain’t your grandma’s baking contest – we’re talking about a high-stakes, high-reward student entrepreneurial competition that’s been launching businesses and shaping futures like it’s nobody’s business (pun very much intended).

From Humble Beginnings to a Nationally-Recognized Launchpad

Picture this: the year is 2014. Facebook had just acquired WhatsApp, Flappy Bird was all the rage (RIP little birdie), and a group of bright-eyed St. Olaf students gathered for the very first Ole Cup. Thirteen students, a handful of business ideas, and a whole lotta hope – that’s how it all began. Fast forward to today, and the Ole Cup has become synonymous with innovation, passion, and some seriously impressive entrepreneurial spirit.

Remember JonnyPops? Yeah, those crazy delicious frozen treats you see everywhere now? Well, they got their start right here at the Ole Cup. The winning pitch of that very first competition, JonnyPops has since skyrocketed to success, proving that sometimes, all you need is a killer idea and a supportive community to make it big.

The Proof is in the Pudding (and the Numbers)

Over the past ten years, the Ole Cup has become a force to be reckoned with, transforming from a small campus event to a highly-anticipated competition that draws attention from across the country. And the impact? Let’s just say the numbers speak for themselves:

• Think about it: over one hundred and fifty students have participated in the Ole Cup, pitching ideas, finessing their business plans, and soaking up knowledge like sponges.
• We’re talking about a quarter of a million dollars – that’s right, a cool $250,000 – awarded in prize money to help these budding entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.
• And the best part? The Ole Cup has been the catalyst for a whole bunch of successful businesses, proving that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at St. Olaf.

But wait, there’s more! The Ole Cup isn’t just about minting the next generation of CEOs. It’s about empowering students, regardless of their major or career aspirations, to embrace innovation and think outside the box. And that, my friends, is priceless.

The Secret Sauce? A Liberal Arts Education with a Side of Entrepreneurial Spirit

So, what is it about St. Olaf College that breeds such entrepreneurial success? Is it something in the water? Secret handshakes at the cafeteria? Well, not quite. The answer, my friends, lies in the unique blend of a rigorous liberal arts education and a supportive community that champions innovation.

“Students are challenged in the liberal arts to wrestle with complexity and ambiguity,” says Kirsten Cahoon, the director of the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, a hub for all things career-related at St. Olaf. “They develop foundational skills to tackle the unknown head-on. The Ole Cup accelerates those skills through business plan development and pitching to judges.”

Basically, St. Olaf students are trained to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate their ideas effectively – all essential skills for any aspiring entrepreneur. But it’s not just about the academics. The Ole Cup provides a platform for students to put their learning into practice, gain real-world experience, and receive feedback from seasoned professionals.

Meghan McMillan, the associate director of the Piper Center, echoes this sentiment, adding, “The ideas pitched each year highlight the competitive edge of a liberal arts education. When Oles persevere, their ideas change lives.”

A Rich Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, the Ole Cup sounds cool and all, but is it really enough to foster a thriving entrepreneurial community?” And to that, I say, hold my chai latte! The Ole Cup is just one piece of the entrepreneurial puzzle at St. Olaf. Think of it as the grand finale, the cherry on top of a sundae of resources and support available to students year-round.

Let’s rewind the clock way back to 1992 – long before “entrepreneurship” was the buzzword it is today. That’s when the Paul Finstad Endowment was established at St. Olaf, becoming one of the first undergraduate liberal arts entrepreneurial grant programs in the nation. Talk about being ahead of the curve! This endowment provides seed money for those early-stage ventures, giving students the financial boost they need to get their ideas off the ground.

But it’s not just about the Benjamins, baby! St. Olaf understands that entrepreneurship is a team sport. That’s why they’ve cultivated a network of alumni mentors – Oles who’ve been there, done that, and are eager to pay it forward. These seasoned pros offer guidance, share their experiences (both the triumphs and the face-plants), and provide invaluable connections to the real world.

And wait, there’s more! St. Olaf has also teamed up with entrepreneurial powerhouses like Red Wing Ignite and the E1 Collaborative, hooking students up with even more mentorship opportunities, workshops, and resources. It’s like having a direct line to entrepreneurial superheroes – who needs Batman when you have the Ole Cup network?

But it’s not all about launching the next billion-dollar unicorn (though, wouldn’t that be nice?). St. Olaf takes a holistic approach to entrepreneurship, recognizing that it’s about more than just profits and bottom lines. They offer a smorgasbord of programs designed to help students develop the skills, mindsets, and networks to make a meaningful impact, regardless of their chosen path.

• We’re talking Innovation Scholar Programs that encourage students to tackle real-world challenges with creative solutions.
• And let’s not forget the Svoboda Entrepreneurial Scholars cohort internship program, which gives students a taste of the startup life, placing them in dynamic companies where they can learn the ropes firsthand.
• And for those bitten by the travel bug? Connections Programs and study abroad/away opportunities provide a global perspective on entrepreneurship, because why limit world-changing ideas to just one zip code?

So, to answer your question, my friend, the Ole Cup isn’t just an event – it’s a microcosm of the entrepreneurial energy that permeates every corner of the St. Olaf campus. It’s a testament to the college’s commitment to nurturing innovation, fostering collaboration, and empowering students to turn their passions into action.

Alumni Reflect: From Ole Cup Pitch to Real-World Impact

Alright, enough about the programs and the resources, let’s talk about the heart and soul of the Ole Cup – the students! Because at the end of the day, it’s their stories, their journeys, and their successes that truly showcase the power of this competition.

Take Jakob Otten, a 2019 grad who went from pitching a music-streaming app at the Ole Cup to developing a meal-preparation social enterprise that competed in the prestigious Hult Prize. Talk about a glow-up! Otten credits the Ole Cup for igniting his entrepreneurial fire and teaching him invaluable skills in presentation, leadership, and accountability – skills that have served him well beyond the hallowed halls of St. Olaf.

And then there’s Michael Paredes, a 2022 alum who clearly couldn’t get enough of the Ole Cup magic. He pitched not one, but two ventures – a food security initiative and a sustainable jewelry company. But it was his Ole Cup experience that ultimately led him to co-found Netless Catch, a seriously impressive seafood supply company on a mission to combat invasive lionfish populations. Who knew entrepreneurship could be so delicious and eco-friendly?

Speaking of delicious and eco-friendly, let’s not forget Katie Myhre and Malika Dale, two 2016 grads who stole the show (and the prize money) with RED Food, an online platform connecting farmers directly with restaurants. This win wasn’t just a feather in their caps – it launched Myhre’s career in leveraging technology for sustainable food systems. Talk about using your powers for good! Myhre credits the Ole Cup for teaching her to identify problems and develop innovative solutions – skills that are in high demand in today’s world.

And who could forget Erik Brust and Connor Wray, the masterminds behind those addictively good JonnyPops? These 2014 grads can attest that the Ole Cup was instrumental in transforming their dorm-room experiment into a national brand. They emphasize the value of the mentorship, marketing strategy, and alumni connections they gained through the competition, proving that the Ole Cup is about so much more than just a winning pitch.

But it’s not just these superstar entrepreneurs who’ve benefited from the Ole Cup experience. Countless other alumni – from social entrepreneurs tackling global issues to sustainability champions greening up the planet – credit the competition for boosting their confidence, sharpening their communication skills, and honing their problem-solving abilities. The Ole Cup, it seems, is the gift that keeps on giving, shaping careers, sparking passions, and empowering Oles to make their mark on the world, one innovative idea at a time.

Here’s to the Next Decade of Innovation and Impact

As the Ole Cup raises a toast (a JonnyPop-flavored toast, perhaps?) to its 10th anniversary, it’s not just a celebration of past successes, but a testament to the boundless potential of St. Olaf students. The Ole Cup has proven that a liberal arts education, infused with a healthy dose of entrepreneurial spirit, is a recipe for innovation, impact, and a whole lot of fun along the way.

So, here’s to the next decade of the Ole Cup – may it continue to inspire, empower, and unleash a new generation of changemakers, one pitch-perfect idea at a time. Because when Oles dream big, the world listens.