SCHULZE I N N O VAT I O N SCHOLARSHIP Schulze School of Entrepreneurship
72%
of Schulze Innovation Scholars currently have internships
THE SCHULZE INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Over
50%
is a one-of-a-kind experience. Created in 2018 through the generous support of the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the program provides a four-year, full-tuition scholarship for
of Schulze Innovation Scholars are actively working on a business
10 incoming freshmen each year and nurtures these students into becoming innovative, entrepreneurial leaders, and helping to launch their careers. Schulze Scholars receive a rich educational experience that includes individual mentoring, hands-on learning, and opportunities for networking and internships. Students graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to make the most of their talents, ambitions and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Join a new cohort of Schulze Innovation Scholars!
More than
$1.3 million in entrepreneurship scholarships awarded
The Schulze Innovation Scholarship has allowed me to pursue world-class education while broadening the scope of what I thought was possible for me as an entrepreneur. - Cole Hennen, Schulze Innovation cohort 1
Sometimes I have to pinch myself because I’m truly living my dream.
DISRUPTING THE FASHION INDUSTRY I developed LABLE with another Schulze Scholar and fellow students over J-term. LABLE is an e-commerce platform that enables people living with disabilities to find accessible clothing without compromising their individuality. After months of refining our idea, we pitched it at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge. We conducted empathy interviews, collaborated with mentors, practiced pitching, and researched the adaptive clothing market intensively. Every business idea in the competition had to address one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. I felt honored to compete in the finalist round with teams from around the globe. Young people are truly capable of making a positive impact! The competition exposed me to social entrepreneurship at its finest and opened my eyes to issues around the world. Whether you’re starting a business or making decisions at a company, everyone can choose to be socially conscious of their actions. The Schulze Innovation Scholarship has helped me grow as an entrepreneur and as a human being. It’s given me friends who have become family and a chance to turn my visions into reality.
Entrepreneurship major, minor in digital media arts
Katie’s idea to make the fashion industry more equitable caught the attention of judges at a global pitch competition for social entrepreneurs.
This scholarship has given me the means and opportunity to pursue what’s important to me!
SOLVING THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING CRISIS One of the most impactful projects at St. Thomas was developing the ECON Habitat Project. My partner and I were inspired to solve two issues: the housing shortage and sea-freight waste. Our idea was to use shipping containers as renewable, eco-friendly, affordable housing. We hope to provide high-quality, low-income housing to as many Minnesotan families as possible. We placed first in the Stofer/Stensby Student Scholarship Competition and advanced to the Fowler Business Concept Challenge semifinals. Taking this project from ground zero to a potential workable business was an eye-opening experience.
GETTING MY DREAM JOB St. Thomas has given me access to the best resources and networks to work on projects and ventures. These projects helped me get my dream job with McKinsey & Company last summer. As a business analyst, I consulted with companies on their biggest problems and innovations. I worked with people from across the globe – in fact, I was the only team member from the United States. I wouldn’t trade my summer experience for anything and I was thrilled to receive a job offer to return after graduation. Thanks to the Schulze Innovation Scholarship, I’ve learned so much about being an entrepreneur and innovator. It’s allowed me to learn from some of the smartest people around.
jor in ip major, co-ma h s r u e n e r p e r Ent ata Analytics Finance, minor in D
ream job d s i h d e d n a l r X and e nalyst intern at a s s e n i s u b a s a Company, a global & y e s n i K c M sulting firm. n o c t n e m e g a m an
All my undergraduate research experiences were enabled by the Schulze Innovation Scholarship.
A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EDUCATION Last year I started Compusim, a business venture that adds simulations to animate scientific data for more engaging user interaction. I advanced to the semifinalist round at the 2020 Fowler Business Concept Challenge with my startup. Aside from business ventures, I’ve spent most of my time on projects related to science and engineering research. Pursuing a triple major has allowed me to collaborate with professors from a variety of universities on multiple research projects. My first project was in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at St. Thomas. I researched safety protocols for vehicle communication networks to prepare for the future of autonomous cars. At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I researched the application and simulation of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. These can be used in mechanical stress sensing applications - like predicting if a bridge is at risk of collapsing. Most recently at Johns Hopkins University, we trained AI to look for COVID-19 on lung ultrasound images of patients. These results are promising for the future use of AI as a technique in the diagnostic process of COVID-19. In the future, I’d like to start an educational company that reimagines the way we interface with data to improve learning quality, accessibility and interactivity. My greatest interest is in promoting the common good through responsible entrepreneurship.
E nt re pr en eu rs hi p majo r, co -m aj or in ph ys ic s an d co an d info rm at io n mp ut er sc ie nc es , mi no r in math
Ben ha s a pa ssion entrepreneurship. for bridging science with at Johns Hopkins As a summer re search intern detect COVID-19 University, he trained AI to on lung ultra soun d image s.
My education has shaped me to become a better entrepreneur, employee and mentor.
HEART OF A SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR When I arrived at St. Thomas freshman year, I had a lot of fear about graduation, I wondered if I’d have to get a traditional corporate job. Or if I’d be able to innovate full time and still live on my own. My heart burst with joy when I learned that many accelerator programs and incubators pay entrepreneurs to work on their ventures full-time. I was even more delighted to learn that many of them were focused on the social entrepreneur! The creative side of my brain was super active over the summer. I interned at Bizzy Coffee - a Tommie-owned business. I created digital ads, developed a new sales funnel, collaborated with influencers to curate original content, and more. We even made the world’s largest cold brew iced bath! I’m grateful that the Schulze Innovation Scholars program offered a stipend to work at this startup. I recently accepted a full-time position at ExpressionMed, a company that designs Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) adhesives. I’m creating a collection of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) to raise money and awareness for the diabetes community. I’m also working on a startup called LABLE. It’s an online marketplace that connects people living with disabilities to adaptive clothing brands. I’m so blessed to have received this scholarship and everything and everyone that comes with it.
En tr ep re ne ursh ip ma jor, co -m ajo r in ma rk et ing , mi no r in th eo log y
Throughout the pa st four years at St. Thom A my ha s focu sed on a s, helping others throug her social star tups an h d mentoring young entrepreneurs.
The scholarship has opened so many doors that I never even knew existed.
HARNESSING TOMMIE NETWORKS I’ve been fixing bikes in my garage for the past five years or so. I made Trailblazer Bicycle Repair official this past summer. It’s a high-end bike repair service that supplies concierge levels of attention and detail. Right now, I’m steadily building the brand and my processes. The Schulze Innovation Scholarship has provided me with amazing resources and mentors to help me run my business. I’ll often consult with professors outside of class for practical advice, insight and next steps. The entrepreneurship community at St. Thomas is incredibly impactful. My roommates and I will chat until midnight about business plans or a philosophy we learned in class. We look to each other for inspiration and ideas. We build each other up. Participating in competitions has shown me how ideas get started. They’ve also been awesome networking experiences. So far, I’ve met three Best Buy CEOs (Dick Schulze, Hubert Joly and Corie Barry) at various events! I’m grateful for the mentors and friends who have given me advice on how to run my business. I hope to continue growing Trailblazer Bicycle Repair and eventually own a chain of high-end bike shops.
Entrepreneurship major, co-major in Marketing
Chihiro successfully launch ed his own bike business wit h the support and guidance of th e entrepreneurship communit y at St. Thomas.
Because of the Schulze Innovation Scholarship, I’ll be wellprepared for my future.
IGNITING CHANGE AS AN INTRAPRENEUR As a double major in actuarial science and entrepreneurship, I’m working towards becoming a certified actuary. My goal is to incorporate my problemsolving skills into future roles. I see a lot of opportunities for entrepreneurial thinkers in the insurance industry. The past two summers I benefited from two actuarial internships - UnitedHealth Group and Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions. I worked on real-world projects that improved my technical, analytical and interpersonal skills. These experiences gave me great exposure to the risk management field. At Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, I was learning new things they provide insurance for every day - even the vocal cords of major singers! This is particularly interesting to me because music has always been a big part of my life. In high school, I started my own business teaching piano and violin to students in my community. I recently accepted a full-time offer after graduation. I also passed my third actuarial science exam this past summer, so it’s been a busy couple of months! St. Thomas does a great job teaching practical skills I can apply to corporate innovation. I look forward to applying the innovative and critical thinking skills I’m learning to my actuarial journey after graduation.
Entr epre neurship majo r, co-m ajor in actu arial scien ce, mino r in math emat ical stat istic s
Maria plans to apply her entrepreneurial problem-solving skills as an actuary in the corporate environment.
Cohort 1 (left to right): Erik Anderson, David Zimmermann, Zane Bush, Jeremy Waldner, Amy Helgeson, Dylan Dierking, Maria Bell, Cole Hennen, Scott Millard, Ben Frey
Bottom Row: Aviral Chauhan, Evelyn Perez Mora, Payton Maas, Merate Sahle, Samuel Roberts. Top Row: Maxwell Karas, Justina Palmer, Carter Rieckhoff, Katie McDonald, Jacob Bryant
Cohort 2 (left to right): Anna Miller, Ben Morone, Xander Smaby, Cory Kaisersatt, Isabel Bercaw, Brady Gruenhagen, Delila Gonyea, Sam Fondeur, Grace Northamer, Chihiro Gustafson
Bottom Row: Nia Kumi Porter, Emma Keenan, Leah Schuerkamp, Ali Burstad, Marit Larson Top Row: Georges Macheta, Natalie Shapira, Nate Charles, Isabell Geiger, John Costello
BECOME A S C H U L Z E I N N O VAT I O N
What is entrepreneurial creativity and inventiveness? Maybe you identify as an entrepreneur already, or perhaps you are an innovator who creatively solves problems, there are many ways to demonstrate your entrepreneurial inventiveness.
SCHOLAR We are seeking Scholars from all backgrounds who represent entrepreneurial creativity and inventiveness. Schulze Innovation Scholars receive: • Four-year full-tuition scholarship • Up to two paid internships (start-up, corporate innovation or social enterprise) • Entrepreneurial leadership development, including mentorships and opportunities to connect with entrepreneurial leaders, members of the local entrepreneurship community and university leaders • Funding to attend regional and national competitions • The opportunity to seek potential investment from St. Thomas seed capital
As a member of Technovation, Payton and her team created a mobile app and help built a business around it with from mentors. The experience led her to fill a gap in coding education at her school and start TEC club - Technology, Entrepreneurship and Coding.
Be an active member of school group or professional club to showcase your entrepreneurial skills
Eligibility: • • • • •
Incoming freshman Pursuing a major in entrepreneurship (you can double major in another discipline) Acceptance to St. Thomas Minimum GPA of 3.5 or greater Demonstrated entrepreneurial creativity and inventiveness, as described in application through an example of entrepreneurial venture/initiative
How to Apply: • Submit an essay describing your entrepreneurial endeavors, providing concrete examples of your experience applying the entrepreneurial spirit to problem-solving and the development of new ideas, initiatives or ventures. Include why you want to major in entrepreneurship. Describe what you hope to learn and how you think an entrepreneurial education will impact the kind of person you will become and the career you will pursue. • Secure a letter of reference • Complete the scholarship application If selected as a finalist, the candidates will be required to attend an on-campus scholarship day in February in order to participate in the next step of the selection process. Parents may also attend, but their presence is optional. Visit stthomas.edu/innovationscholarship to apply. Contact: Jessica Cooley, senior director of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, at jessica.cooley@stthomas.edu.
Lead a project aimed at solving a social issue
A native of Ethiopia, Merate organized a fundraising event in her community to serve the homeless population. During the pandemic, she collected donations and distributed food to the poor.
s for Threatened, d a e r h T d e d n u fo clothing line s u o i c s n o c o c an e d ages of endangere m i h t i w d e n o z embla s with 15% of e i c e p s d e n e t a e and thr izations that help n a g r o o t g n i o g profits rvive. the species su
Start your own small business
Wanting to be at the top of the mountain is great. But, all the learning takes place along the way. Pay attention to it! -Richard Schulze
Schulze School of Entrepreneurship stthomas.edu/schulze The University of St. Thomas is an equal opportunity educator and employer. St. Thomas does not unlawfully discriminate, in any of its programs or activities, on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. stthomas.edu/eostatement All programs offered by the University of St. Thomas shall be readily accessible to individuals with disabilities. For details, call (651) 962-6315. 22000138_SCH