ORU Student Entrepreneurs Dominate 2025 Entrepreneur’s Cup, Earn 1st Place in Multiple Divisions

Entrepreneur’s Cup

Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 21, 2025—Oral Roberts University (ORU), in collaboration with the Fenimore & Fisher College of Business and the Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship, had a remarkable showing at the 2025 Entrepreneur’s Cup, Oklahoma’s premier collegiate business plan competition. Student innovators competed against over 50 teams, taking home top prizes and more than $45,000 in total awards. The annual event, now in its 21st year, highlights the creativity, leadership, and startup potential of students across the state.

“This experience goes beyond the classroom,” said ORU freshman Daniel Kringel, who placed 1st overall in the High Growth Undergraduate Division. “Entrepreneur’s Cup gives students a taste of real-world business development, and I’m grateful ORU empowers us to step into that space with bold ideas and Spirit-led innovation.”

More than $167,000 was awarded across three divisions: High Growth Undergraduate, High Growth Graduate, and Small Business. ORU teams stood out among student entrepreneurs from the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, East Central University, and the University of Tulsa. Their innovation and excellence were recognized in both business plan and pitch categories.

High Growth Undergraduate Division

First Place: Daniel Kringel, a freshman Entrepreneurship major, won with his venture SparkMotion, earning $21,000. SparkMotion is a dynamic event engagement platform that extends attendee interaction beyond the event, using NFC-enabled wristbands to connect participants to content, next steps, and ongoing engagement.

"Being one of the youngest to ever win the High Growth Division of Oklahoma’s statewide Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Cup was more than just a personal milestone," said Kringel. “It was a reflection of what makes ORU so unique. The mentorship I received from ORU’s world-class professors and leadership gave me the confidence, skills, and spiritual foundation to step into rooms I never thought I’d be in. I’m grateful to be at a university that truly equips students to lead, create, and walk boldly in their calling.”

Small Business Division

First Place: Timothy Blanco, a junior Entrepreneurship major, secured the top spot with his business Ingress, receiving $12,000. Ingress is developing an affordable, pressure-sensitive floor mat that allows VR users to move naturally and comfortably, reducing motion sickness without bulky equipment.

"The skill sets that I developed from these competitions were invaluable to my education,” said Timothy, “and will surely help me in my future endeavors. This year was special as there were multiple teams from ORU competing, which made the entire experience a lot of fun. I’m especially grateful for the dedication of faculty members like Professor (Wendy) Wells O'Rear and my advisor, Dr. (Robert) Leland, whose support were instrumental to our success."

Second Place: Ana Gabriela Blanco, a Business Administration major, earned $8,000. She was also a finalist in the 90-second pitch competition. Her business ESTHER is a modest activewear and swimwear brand designed to empower women with stylish, high-quality, and functional clothing that aligns with their values.

"The Entrepreneur's Cup is always such an exciting and rewarding experience,” said Gabriella. “This year was especially meaningful as it was my first time competing on my own. I wanted to challenge myself and see what I was capable of. I’m so grateful for the support and mentorship from my advisor, Alejandrina (Solis), and the Stovall Center for Entrepreneurship’s accelerator program. It was such an honor to compete and share my vision with others."

Additionally, ORU’s team Capra, comprised of Levi Church, Josh Brennan, and Ethan Gallagher, advanced to the finals, showcasing ORU's strong entrepreneurial spirit. Capra is redefining headwear with customizable, high-quality hats featuring interchangeable magnetic patches and components for versatile style and function.

About the Entrepreneur’s Cup

The Entrepreneur’s Cup challenges students to research markets, build business plans, and pitch to potential investors. More than 2,800 students have participated since its inception, presenting over 870 business ideas and earning more than $2.6 million in awards. The competition is managed by i2E, a nonprofit dedicated to growing Oklahoma’s innovation economy.

UNIVERSITY BRIEF

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with 16 years of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 165 nations in the last 5 years to be whole leaders for the whole world.

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #8 university in the nation for student experience and one of America's Best Colleges (2025). This new category rates the best colleges in the U.S. to have a great experience while attending. This ranking is powered by one of the largest-ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Niche has recognized ORU as one of the top 25 most diverse colleges in America, the # 1 best Christian college in Oklahoma, and the # 1 in Oklahoma for diversity. Princeton Review ranked ORU as the best regional college, and College Raptor ranked ORU as a Hidden Gem in the Southwest. Heritage.org classified ORU as a great option for families prioritizing freedom, opportunity, and civil society.

ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as:

#1 in Undergraduate Teaching
#2 in Most International Students
#3 in Best Value
#6 in Best College for Veterans
#7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West

For more information, visit www.oru.edu.

Take the next step
toward your career.

VIRTUAL TOUR CONNECT WITH A COUNSELOR APPLY NOW