SWAU Students Win National Entrepreneurship Honors
KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) students earned top honors at entrepreneurship competitions, including a first-place finish at the Enactus USA Expo and a semifinalist placement at Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Values and Ventures Competition.
At the Enactus USA Expo in Denver, SWAU’s student-led venture Color Palette, which hosts art workshops and sells art kits for therapeutic benefits, placed first in the Social Venture Challenge (SVC) with a unanimous vote. Students Keila Cabrera and Cassandra Brumm began the project as freshmen in an entrepreneurship course.
“The energy of the Enactus event was invigorating as always, but winning the SVC first place transformed that energy into momentum,” Brumm said.
Over the past four years, SWAU’s Enactus team has ranked among the top eight teams in the country in the early-stage competition, which features newer startup concepts.
SWAU students also competed at the TCU Values and Ventures Competition. Jose Cendejas, Alvin Kimanga and Caleb Thomson advanced as semifinalists with their startup, Campus Cycle, a platform designed for college campuses that allows students to buy, sell and trade within a verified community. Out of more than 250 applicants, 120 teams were invited to compete, and 40 were selected as semifinalists. This marks SWAU’s first time reaching the semifinalist level at the event.
Kimanga emphasized the value of connection at the TCU Values and Ventures Competition. “While wanting to win is great, it shouldn’t be the only goal. There are amazing opportunities to meet people and build connections that could last a lifetime.”
Thomson said participating in both events was beneficial for strengthening his professional development.
Additional recognition came at Hyve, an Adventist Entrepreneurs Network collegiate competition. SWAU students earned second place while competing against other institutions including Andrews University, Southern Adventist University and Walla Walla University.
These outcomes reflect continued growth in entrepreneurship initiatives at SWAU, where students are gaining experience through competition, mentorship and applied learning.
