ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The committee has selected the 5 category winners for the 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year. We will celebrate the winners October 20, 2022 during the EOTY awards events. This will be held at the EdCollabitat, on UMSL South Campus , stay tuned!
The University of Missouri–St. Louis has been a catalyst for transforming lives since 1963. As a result, UMSL has over 115,000 alumni around the globe. Thousands of UMSL alumni have started businesses that are employing hundreds of thousands in our region and around the world. In 2023, UMSL announced it was expanding its entrepreneurship program with the introduction of the UMSL Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center (UMSL EIC)—a place-based educational community of students, faculty and businesses who see the world through a lens of opportunity. UMSL EIC is the sponsor of Entrepreneurship Week, the highlight of which is the Entrepreneur of the Year event. Creating UMSL EIC Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is the direct result of Peter A. Racen’s, BSBA 1980 conviction that communities can be changed and positively impacted through nurturing and accelerating the creation of businesses.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Awards recognize UMSL alumni, students, faculty, staff, and advocates who are impacting our community and the world around us through outstanding entrepreneurial achievement.
Vision
Through accessible learning styles and formats designed to fit every individual’s unique needs, we will create a place where the best and brightest learn to embrace a growth mindset and think big, aiming not just to succeed as individuals but to catalyze large-scale transformation that improves our world. Forward-thinking students, entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial rising stars, subject matter experts, faculty, alumni and stakeholders will work together to inspire thought leadership and innovation through education, experiential learning, and shared space. By catalyzing these organic connections, embracing a growth mindset, and fostering a vibrant, sustainable ecosystem, we’ll be able to take the St. Louis Region further, faster, together.
AWARDS GUIDELINES:
ABOUT THE AWARD
UMSL EIC Entrepreneur of the Year Awards was established by Peter A. Racen in 2020 to promote entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial spirit through recognition of innovators who are entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, or those who have been advocates of entrepreneurship. Each year, top achievers who best exemplify the spirit and mindset of entrepreneurship will be considered for the award.
ELIGIBILITY
The most competitive nominees will demonstrate the best traits of entrepreneurship such as passion, integrity, drive, a strong network, self-starter, strong work ethic, people skills, perseverance, competitive spirit, business creativity, determination, discipline, and the art of being a mensch. Additionally, the most competitive nominees will be both go-getters and a go-givers.
Categories
Applicants and nominees for the award will be evaluated based upon benchmark considerations found under each award category that demonstrate various aspects of the successful candidate’s entrepreneurial approach to business and its future.
Click on an award category to learn more:
UMSL STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
The UMSL Student Entrepreneur Award is intended for the individual that has a thirst for learning, is naturally curious, grows their network, takes smart risks, and is trusted and respected by peers and faculty. This award is intended to honor students who have demonstrated innovativeness, originality, and entrepreneurial spirit. This can be accomplished through the development of ideas, processes, products; excellence in the classroom, clubs, and through leadership; or an initiative of benefit to students.
Benchmarks for Consideration:
- How much traction the nominee's business has achieved.
- How much the nominee helps other students and/or members of the community pursue entrepreneurship.
ENTREPRENEUR ADVOCATE AWARD
The Entrepreneur Advocate Award is intended for the individual who shows a strong commitment to assisting entrepreneurs, startups, and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through both personal and professional service, the recipient exhibits a steadfast commitment to helping entrepreneurs in a variety of ways and industries. These honorees provide entrepreneurs with the resources they need to give our community its competitive edge.
Benchmarks for Consideration:
- How much the nominee educates entrepreneurs through mentoring, coaching, and/or advising.
- How much the nominee connects entrepreneurs through local/regional entrepreneur support organizations or other networking efforts.
- How much the nominee supports entrepreneurs through direct investment or mobilization of financial investment.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
The Social Entrepreneur Award is intended for the individual or organization that is using entrepreneurship to address environmental or social challenges. This award recognizes individuals who are willing to take on the risk and effort to create positive changes in society through their initiatives.
Benchmarks for Consideration:
- How much the nominee's entrepreneurial efforts have addressed environmental and/or social challenges.
- How much evidence is available to suggest that the nominee's efforts will continue to have an impact in the future.
UMSL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENt Award
The UMSL Lifetime Achievement Award is intended for the individual who has documented experience in entrepreneurship and who has contributed significantly toward socioeconomic growth and impact on a large number of individuals, their organization, and the community. Recipient has contributed to the growth of the business community and provides inspiration to younger entrepreneurs by examples of community mindedness and success.
Benchmarks for Consideration:
- How much impact (e.g. innovations developed, jobs created, revenue generated, IP licensed, businesses sold) has occurred due to the nominee's entrepreneurial efforts?
- How much evidence is available to suggest that the nominee's efforts will continue to have an impact in the future.
- How much the nominee has shared the benefits of their success through philanthropy, volunteering, and related efforts.
ENTREPRENEUR of the YEAR AWARD
The Entrepreneur of the Year award is intended for the individual who does not stand still – a mover and shaker. The award recognizes an individual whose company or organization has shown great promise and achievement. The winners and finalists represent the most innovative and inspirational leaders in the UMSL entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Benchmarks for Consideration:
- How much traction (e.g. innovations developed, jobs created, revenue generated, IP licensed, businesses sold) has occurred due to the nominee's entrepreneurial efforts?
- How much evidence is available to suggest that the nominee's efforts will continue to have an impact in the future.
