In an effort to better serve all students, the annual Empower Your Dreams business plan competition made a category specifically for international student submissions, giving away a total of $30,000 in prize money.
International students have had disadvantages in past competitions, which inspired Empower Your Dreams organizers to make this year’s more internationally focused. Graduate Assistant Carston Feigleson said visa restrictions don’t allow international students to start their own businesses and make money while in the United States.
Director of the Willes Center Jason Scott Earl explained the past competitions have focused on crowd-funding when judging submissions, which has made it harder for international students to compete because “there is typically not a lot of crowd-funding in other countries,” he said.
“So this time, it is more about the pitch,” said Earl. This approach matches the purpose of the center to spawn creativity from students of all majors on campus. “Honestly, our best students are from these other colleges,” said Earl, pointing to the College of Math and Sciences, and the College of Language, Culture and Arts.
There is even a category for community members, which Earl said he was excited about. “We are trying to reach out. We think if the community can see there are resources here for them, it will strengthen our relationship.”
Speakers such as activist Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home in Utah as a child and found six months later, will be coming for the competition. The deadline for submissions is April 29 at the Willes Center website. If there is a team of people from different categories, the submission category will depend on the team leader. For more information, visit www.willescenter.byuh.edu/node/157.