High Point University

Congdon School of Entrepreneurship

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/entrepreneurship/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Homepage for the David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship. Launched 2025 following an 8-figure gift from David S. Congdon. North Carolina's first private school of entrepreneurship and one of only two schools of entrepreneurship in the state. Dean: Lou Anne Flanders-Stec Four majors: Entrepreneurship (B.S.B.A.), Event Management (B.A.), Hospitality Management (B.A.), Sales (B.S.B.A.) Four minors: Entrepreneurship, Leadership Studies, Sales, Women's Leadership Development 99% placement rate. Experiential learning: internships, business simulations, competitions, study abroad.

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High Point University

Business Plan Competition

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/entrepreneurship/business-plan-competition/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Annual spring competition organized by Belk Entrepreneurship Center. 16th annual in 2026. Prizes: $30,000 total in start-up funds. First place typically $12,000. Eligibility: All HPU undergraduate students enrolled spring semester. Individual or team. Venture must be seed/startup/early growth stage, less than 18 months old. Judges: Entrepreneurs, investors, local business leaders. Supported by: Truist Financial Corporation, The Bell Foundation, Simon Jewelers. April 8, 2026: 16th annual, $30K awarded. Winners: Parkevo ($12K), PlayFast Motion ($8K), Eva Thorn dry shampoo sheets ($6K).

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High Point University

Elevator Pitch Competition

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/entrepreneurship/center-for-entrepreneurship/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Annual pitch competition held during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. Organized by David S. Congdon School of Entrepreneurship / Belk Entrepreneurship Center. Prizes: Up to $20,000 total. First, second, third place + Rock Star Rookie award. Eligibility: Any enrolled HPU student, individual or team. 2-minute pitches. 15th annual in 2025 ($20,000 awarded). Sponsors: Steve and Jackie Bell/The Bell Foundation, Truist, Bailey and Trey McKee Entrepreneurship Fund, Simon Jewelers, Jennifer and Christopher Meenan.

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High Point University

Belk Entrepreneurship Center

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/entrepreneurship/center-for-entrepreneurship/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Operational hub within the Congdon School of Entrepreneurship. Provides individualized assistance, competitions, mentoring, guest speakers, regional connections. Services: grants for student startups, experiential learning, guest speakers from HPU alumni network, projects for local businesses, competition support, marketing research. Organizes two main competitions: Elevator Pitch Competition (Nov, Global Entrepreneurship Week) and Business Plan Competition (spring). Director: Kathryn Elliott (Kathy Elliott)

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High Point University

Entrepreneurship Fellows

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/admissions/entrepreneurship-fellows/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Selective 4-year program. Top 35 incoming students in School of Entrepreneurship per year. Scholarship: $3,000 renewable annually (in addition to HPU Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, or Presidential Fellowship). Activities: Innovation/leadership course, colloquiums with Innovators in Residence, team building, non-profit partnership, travel to conferences and events (CES, Stanford D-School, MIT Design Lab), mentorship, CRM certification.

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High Point University

Pagon Fund

URL: https://www.highpoint.edu/entrepreneurship/pagon-fund/ Captured: 2026-06-27 Established by Kata and Leonard Pagon. Provides financial support for student startups. Grants: $500-$1,500 range. Student-run due diligence and investment decisions. Eligibility: Any current HPU student in good standing. Scoring: Business model clarity, problem insight, originality, market opportunity, investor potential, team competencies.

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