Innovation on Display: UND Students Compete in the 2026 Middleton Business Plan Competition

Middleton Business Plan Competition

Entrepreneurial energy filled Nistler Hall on April 17–18 as the University of North Dakota hosted the 2026 Middleton Business Plan Competition, giving student innovators the opportunity to pitch bold ideas, sharpen their business skills, and compete for $35,000 in prizes.

Open to all UND students, the annual competition continues to be one of the University’s premier entrepreneurship experiences, helping students transform ideas into action while gaining valuable feedback from experienced business leaders.

Big Ideas, Real Opportunity

This year, 24 student teams qualified for the preliminary round and presented their business plans across four competition tracks. Each team pitched to panels of judges, sharing innovative concepts, growth strategies, and solutions designed to solve real-world challenges.

After a highly competitive preliminary round, four teams advanced to the finals for the opportunity to present once more before a distinguished panel of judges:

• Dr. Matt Dunlevy, President of the North Dakota UAS Council and founder of several UAS companies
• Tom Shorma, retired CEO and President of WCCO Belting
• Monica Musich, SCORE

A Championship Finish

The final round showcased the creativity, preparation, and determination of UND student entrepreneurs. In an impressive finish, two teams tied for the Sandra Braathen Memorial Business Plan Grand Prize, with each receiving $15,000.

Grand Prize Winners

BFFR Bicarb
Ethan Kimmel, Nicholas Angell, and Jonas Weschle

NxtSzn
Jett Sutton

Both winning ventures demonstrated strong market potential, thoughtful strategy, and the entrepreneurial mindset that defines the competition.

Recognizing Emerging Ventures

Additional awards were presented to promising student founders for their venture concepts:

Grit Award – $2,500
Daniel Rose, LaundroGO

Moonshot Award – $2,500
William Shelton, ONYX Aviation

These awards celebrate perseverance, creativity, and the willingness to think boldly.

A Community Effort

The success of the competition was made possible through the support of many individuals, including 12 judges in the preliminary round, three final-round judges, and numerous volunteers, faculty, and staff from the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration.

Special recognition goes to entrepreneurship faculty Dr. Sanjay Goel and Dr. Sheila Hanson, who served as event coordinators and helped create another outstanding experience for UND students.

Powered by the Middleton Legacy

The Middleton Business Plan Competition stands as a signature example of how philanthropy can directly shape student success.

Through the generous support of Tom and Konnie Middleton, UND students are given the opportunity to test ideas, gain real-world experience, and compete for meaningful startup funding. Their commitment to entrepreneurship continues to inspire the next generation of founders, innovators, and business leaders.