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This prestigious event will gather the brightest entrepreneurial minds from across the state, with each participating school sending one student business to represent their institution and compete for the coveted Governor’s Cup. The list of confirmed schools includes Stetson University, the University of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, the University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Central Florida and The University of Tampa.

UT student Morgan Bierbrunner aims to defend UT’s title with startup Rush Power, which features a unique line of pre-workout gummies designed to revolutionize personal fitness routines. Bierbrunner most recently won the Spartan Cup, UT’s qualifying event for the Governor’s Cup.

Last year, UT senior Sophia Nyborg won the Governor’s Cup with her innovative dating app, Red Flags.

Rebecca White, the James W. Walter Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship at UT and director of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center said that the Governor's Cup exemplifies the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that is fostered at UT.

“This competition not only highlights individual achievements but also showcases the collaborative efforts of our academic community in nurturing future business leaders,” White said. “Morgan Bierbrunner’s Rush Power is a testament to the creativity, dedication, and entrepreneurial acumen of our students.”

Frank Ghannadian, dean of the Sykes College of Business, added that “the Governor's Cup is a cornerstone event that underscores the Sykes College of Business's commitment to excellence in entrepreneurship education.”

“The students’ innovative ideas and pitches are indicative of the bright future of entrepreneurship,” Ghannadian said. “We look forward to celebrating the achievements of these young entrepreneurs and encourage the public to join us in this celebration of innovation."