2024 Frank and Ellen Daveler Entrepreneurship Program
Overview
information about the Fall 2025 program
Requirements:
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Open to undergraduate students only (60 credit hours and above preferred)
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Open only to college and university students in the state of °®¶¹´«Ã½.
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Minimum GPA of 2.75
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Applicants are required to submit an application and attach the required documents, additional information might be requested
Deadline to submit applications is Monday, November 1, 2025
the frank and ellen daveler entrepreneurship program
The Frank and Ellen Daveler Business Pitch Competition stands as one of °®¶¹´«Ã½â€™s premier collegiate entrepreneurship events. More than just a pitch competition, it’s a launchpad where student entrepreneurs showcase their most promising ideas, compete for significant cash awards, and gain access to a powerful network of successful entrepreneurs, investors, and °®¶¹´«Ã½ faculty. For many students, it’s a defining moment that accelerates their journey from the classroom to the marketplace.
application guidelines
- All applications must be completely filled out with as much detail about the business as possible. Applications partially filled or incomplete will not be considered for the competition.
- Please provide either a business plan, business model canvas, pitch deck or video with your application. The more information you provide about your innovation, the better chance you have of getting selected.
About the Frank and ellen daveler pitch competition
The Frank and Ellen Daveler Entrepreneurship Program offers undergraduate students from across °®¶¹´«Ã½ a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge of business operations and gain insight into the entrepreneurial process in venture creation, venture growth, and venture harvesting.
Up to 12 student teams will be chosen and will be given 8 minutes to pitch their innovation in front of a panel of judges from various entrepreneurship backgrounds who will evaluate their business ideas. Some of the innovations pitched at Daveler include:
- Sustainable Products
- Subscription Products
- Physical Prototypes
- E-Learning Platforms
- Fitness Tech
- Leisure Based Products
- ...and More!
All Daveler Finalists who participate in the competition are eligible to become Daveler Scholars and Fellows.
Cash Rewards
- $5,000 For Scholars
- $3,000 For Fellows
Selected students are requiered to showcase their entrepreneurial ideas at the in-person event on Friday, November 14, 2025 at the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance.
Our Goals
Inspire New Ventures
Empower students to transform bold ideas into real businesses.
Develop Essential Skills
Equip students with practical knowledge in strategy, finance, marketing, and leadership—skills
that last a lifetime.
Build Powerful Networks
Create meaningful connections with successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry
leaders.
Provide Mentorship
Pair students with seasoned mentors who can guide them through the challenges of launching
and scaling a venture.
Support Lifelong Success
Help students not only excel in the classroom, but also thrive in their careers and
entrepreneurial pursuits after graduation.
This transformative program is proudly administered by the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship.
For more information, please contact Frank Nunez at fnunez2@usf.edu
or
Tim Ernest at ernestt@usf.edu
Fall 2023 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Scholars
- Thomas Sear, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Lara Garcia, °®¶¹´«Ã½ International University
- Cherish & Unique Alston, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
Fall 2023 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Fellows
- Kelli Crisp, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- John Thomerson, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Cesar Molano, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- MackenzieTaylor, °®¶¹´«Ã½ State University
- Isaac Washington, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Nathan Calvary, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Southern College
- Danny Alice, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Jesuel Caraballo, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Southern College
- Rachel Kavalakatt, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
Fall 2021 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Scholars
- Brandon Feinstein, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Aiden Natalie, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Bernard Lee Brooks, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Brooke Lierman, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Southern College
Fall 2021 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Fellows
- Brandon Feinstein, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Nina Sajdak, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Seth Ross Land, University of °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Austin Anderson, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Abbigale Lynn Grensing, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Makenna Brown, Rollins College
- Callahan Reynolds, University of Tampa
- Behzodbek Moydinboyev, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Matthew Novack, University of Central °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Aiden Natalie, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Nicolas Pedraza, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Bernard Lee Brooks, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Stormie Pruskauer, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Emma Rebman, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Brooke Lierman, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Southern College
Spring 2021 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Scholars
- John Ciocca, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Magdelena Harrah, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Kendall Buck, Stetson University
- Colin White, University of Tampa
- Brandon Feinstein, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
Spring 2021 Daveler Entrepreneurship Program Fellows
- Oyindamola Teniola, University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Zachary Wigodner, °®¶¹´«Ã½ State University
- David Terry, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Polytechnic University
- Tanner Hughes, Eckerd College
- Seth Land, University of °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Jean-Didier Bertola, Eckerd College
- William McCarthy, °®¶¹´«Ã½ State University
- Kevin Figueroa, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Atlantic University
- Myra Jaimes, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Alexandria Quillen, °®¶¹´«Ã½ Gulf Coast University
- Shameca Cox, Valencia College
- Kristin Chase, University of North °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Noah Bowman, University of West °®¶¹´«Ã½
- Wainwright Acquoi, Lynn University
Daveler Winners
Selected Daveler Competitors
Fellows Award Ceremony
Scholars
Proud Scholar