Current full- or part-time, degree-seeking Arkansas college and university students who want a real-world opportunity to explore a business idea or simply learn more about entrepreneurship are invited to compete!
Students and advisors for the top three winning teams in both divisions will once again share a $100,000 cash prize pool!
Teams are not required to start their businesses to compete, and the competition is free.
The Governor’s Cup increases student appreciation for the challenges that come with developing a viable business offering. Through a rigorous, real-world process, the competition recognizes teams that are best able to articulate a plan that addresses these challenges and convince judges that their ideas will be profitable.
Arkansas Capital is excited to bring the 2022 Governor’s Cup Awards Luncheon to Northwest Arkansas!
The region is world-famous for how its entrepreneur support organizations, investors, local companies, and others from the public and private sectors have come together to make it a home for aspiring and established entrepreneurs to start up and flourish. Representatives of this network of partners will be on hand to welcome finalist team members and advisors for a fun reception the evening before the awards luncheon. Teams will also learn about the quality-of-life attractions that have factored into the decision entrepreneurs have made to move to the region.
The written and oral presentation rounds will be virtual for 2022. Should pandemic conditions warrant, the reception will be cancelled and the awards luncheon will be moved to a virtual format. Be watching this page for updates.
2022 Calendar
January 3 – Team Application Window Opens in YouNoodle
February 9 – Intents to Compete, Team Videos Due
February 16 – Business Plans Due
March 4 – Team Showcase Video and Finalist Announcement at argovernorscup.org
March 17 – Finals / Team Presentations (Virtual)
March 30 – Finalist Team Welcome Reception and Networking with Entrepreneur Support Organizations, The Momentary / Bentonville 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
March 31 – Awards Luncheon, Embassy Suites Pinnacle Ballroom / Rogers 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Competition Sponsorships and Luncheon Ticket Sales
Details Coming Soon!
Competition Awards
CASH prizes will be awarded to the winning teams – that includes students AND faculty!
Previous Winners and Awards Luncheon Videos
The Governor’s Cup has been around longer than some of today’s competitors! Nearly 3,000 students have been impacted since the first competition in 2001. Who were the winners?