YUMA, AZ – April 19-21, 2024 – Northern Arizona University’s Yuma campus proudly hosted the April 2024 Border Entrepreneurial Challenge (BEC), a platform for budding entrepreneurs and seasoned business minds alike to present their innovative ideas to a panel of investors and judges. The event was an exchange of entrepreneurial spirit, with participation from seventy-seven students and entrepreneurs from the United States and Mexico.
Representatives from eight institutions from both sides of the border, including Northern Arizona University (NAU), Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior University (CETYS), Grand Canyon University (GCU), Arizona State University (ASU), Universidad Estatal de Sonora (UES), San Diego State University (SDSU), Arizona Western College (AWC), and Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC), showcased their passion and talent throughout the challenge.
The event was marked by enthusiastic support from twenty-five mentors, eighteen judges, and numerous local leaders, who gave the participating teams invaluable guidance and feedback.
Among the standout successes of the challenge were the following:
Track 1 Winning Student Team: Congratulations to Samuel Parker Boynton and Alfredo Ramirez from Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, whose business idea earned them the coveted track 1 victory.
Track 2 Winning Entrepreneurial Team: Omar Holguin, representing Universidad Estatal de Sonora (UES), impressed the judges with his proposal titled “ADU Phoenix.” Omar’s proof of concept, showcasing the completion of additional dwelling units in San Luis Rio Colorado, demonstrated the potential for expansion into the Phoenix area.
Track 2 Entrepreneurial Runner-ups: MBA students from CETYS University showcased their app from SWIFT Carpentry that connects carpenters with customers, emphasizing quality and timely completion in Baja California.
Additional noteworthy proposals included:
- CORPURY, offers an app for translation services in the medical and legal fields, integrating AI and human translators.
- E-Money, targeting the Mexican market with an app providing personal financial advice.
- Nopal Snacks, an established Mexican business exploring expansion into the U.S. market with healthy snacks made from nopal.
Both organizations and investors provided invaluable support. Heartfelt thanks to our sponsors including Yuma Investment Group Wealth Management, Chapman Automotive Group, APS, WaFed Bank, and The Elliot Nelson Foundation. These partnerships not only benefit the winners but also foster innovation and growth within the community.
The BEC serves as an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering collaboration and innovation across borders. NAU-Yuma invites all students and local entrepreneurs to participate in the next BEC, scheduled for Spring 2025. For more information and updates on the BEC, visit the Department of Business Administration and Leadership’s website at https://nau.edu/yuma/departments/business-administration/.
As an ongoing effort, organizations and investors interested in funding future BEC winners please contact Dr. Monica Acosta Alvarado at Monica.Acosta-Alvarado@nau.edu, event coordinator, or Dr. Alex Steenstra, department chair. Join us in shaping the future of entrepreneurship!
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