Bright ideas: Culver's Business Model Competition showcases student entrepreneurship

A student-focused digital platform designed to simplify and modernize the academic planning experience took home first place in the 2026 Culver's Business Model Competition April 2 at UW-Oshkosh.

Josh Lee, who is majoring in information systems, pitched "Titan Academic Advisor" and earned a check for $3,000. Lee hopes to provide value to universities that will pay an annual subscription fee. He said the platform "enables students to search courses, plan degree pathways, track academic progress and receive personalized recommendations-all within a clean, intuitive interface."

Gabe Torres, also majoring in information systems, took second and $1,500, for his "Nexum-Unified Athlete Management" that is an all-in-one performance platform that empowers coaches and athletes to track wellness, monitor progress and build personalized workout programs. It was developed in collaboration with UWO football staff.

Kellen Grall, a business management major, earned $1,000 by placing third with WI Marquee Co., a letter rental company with locations in Oshkosh and Madison that lights events across the state with three-foot marquee letters and numbers. The primary market is high schools and universities (proms, graduations, signing days), corporate clients (conferences, grand openings, company events) and private events that include weddings and birthdays.

Andrew Fassbinder, majoring in business management and experienced in beekeeping, took home the People's Choice honors ($250 and bragging rights) with his Fassbinder Fox River Honey. During competition he suggested that Culver's restaurants consider creating a honey-flavored custard with his honey.

The Culver Business Model Competition is the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development's signature annual competition, providing the university's most talented student entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for seed funding and access to venture development resources. UWO alumnus Craig Culver, founder of Culver's restaurants, was a special guest. In addition to checks, winners received a number of in-kind prizes.

The competition accepts ideas at any stage of development-from initial concept to already operational businesses. Students accepted to compete had four minutes to present their business model, followed by two minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges.

Learn more:

Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development at UWO

Study Business at UW-Oshkosh