The Regions New Venture Challenge is an annual business plan competition that rewards innovative students, some already running successful businesses of their own, with cash prizes as seed money to start their own business. Many of the winners of this competition are thriving entrepreneurs today.  

Rules and Guidelines

Samford Startup, the student incubator inside Cooney Hall, provides a way for our student entrepreneurs to have a place to run their business. This makes it easier for the business owner to start their business without having to deal with large start-up costs. The space is open to business majors and nonbusiness majors. Contact Chad Carson to apply to use the space.

“Being in the Samford Startup program has been so pivotal in my professional growth.

This year we've had an emphasis on networking and programming, and it’s been great to hear from seasoned entrepreneurs across all types of industries. These entrepreneurs have experienced the same challenges we as students have, and it's so helpful having honest conversations with them. We receive assistance from branding, accounting, and legal experts as well as funding for small costs throughout the course of the year.”

– Wes Abeln, Samford Startup resident, founder, esprit co.

First year business students have an opportunity to experience what it means to be an entrepreneur by taking BUSA 100. This course provides students learning about entrepreneurship the opportunity to write preliminary business plans and compete in their own division of the Regions New Venture Challenge each spring.

Students can launch and run their own businesses during their junior year through micro-business funding. Top teams are eligible for residency in the Samford Startup student business incubator.

The Advisory Board for the Department of Entrepreneurship, Management and Marketing plays several important roles as a conduit to the business community. Board members provide guidance on course content so that our curriculum stays current with the needs of the profession. While some of the board members offer internships and jobs with their companies, the introductions our board members give us to other professionals in the business community are extremely valuable – both in terms of employment opportunities and mentorship for our students.

George Dennis

President, ZOOM Motorsports LLC

Robyn Felton

Chief Operating Officer, The Colonnade Group

Bernard Frei

President and Managing Director, 365 Inc./Sports Endeavors Inc.

Brandy Gibson

President, BF Gibson and Associates

Hernandez Gio

Assistant Manager of International Baseball, Los Angeles Angels

Dan Hall

Senior Marketing Manager, Portland Trailblazers

Gary Heise

Founder, Premier Sports Management

Jim Host

Founder, Host Communications

Joe Hutchinson

Senior Vice President of Licensing, The Collegiate Licensing Company

Ben May

Senior Director of Sports Management, SEC Network/ESPN

Richard McKay

President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlanta Falcons

Scott Myers

Executive Director, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Robbie Robertson

President, The Colonnade Group

Bob Roller

Director of Sports Management, Shriners Hospitals for Children

Tracy Teague

Vice President and Global Category Creative Director for Nike Basketball, Nike Inc.

Vince Thompson

President and Chief Executive Officer, MELT

Alan Verlander

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment, JaxSports: Gator Bowl Sports/City of Jacksonville

Mike Verlander

Vice President of Business Development, Stewart Haas Racing

Jeremy Walls

Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Miami Dolphins

Mark Whitworth

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Asbury University

Brad Williams

Founder, Huddle Inc.

Matt Yonan

President, Tigris Sponsorship and Marketing Inc.