HSB Hosts Second Annual Bear Challenge

April 28, 2025

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business hosted the second annual Bear Challenge at the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation April 25-26.

The Bear Challenge is an entrepreneurship competition designed to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators, said Kathy Carr, the associate director of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise.

“The goal of the Bear Challenge is for the competing students to leave campus having learned something while also having fun,” Carr said. “If they end up with a little bit of ‘Sic ‘Em’ love for Baylor, then that is icing on the cake.”

The 12 teams tackled real-world business scenarios and created financially viable, market-centered solutions and opportunities for local businesses. The teams consisted of four students from high schools across Texas.

Houston Memorial High School took home first place and the $2,000 grand prize. Fort Bend Elkins High School earned second place and a $1,000 prize while Austin Akins High School received third place and a $500 prize.

“The winning teams truly thought outside of the box with their pitches,” Carr said. “It is exciting to see the creativity of these young participants.”

The full list of the 2025 teams includes:

Akins High School, Austin
Anderson High School (Team A), Austin
Anderson High School (Team B), Austin
Centennial High School, Frisco
Elkins High School, Missouri City
Emerson High School, McKinney
Memorial High School, Houston
Northeast Early College High School (Team A), Austin
Northeast Early College High School (Team B), Austin
Southlake Carroll High School, Southlake
Vanguard High School, Mesquite
William P. Clements High School and John Foster Dulles High School, Sugar Land

The 2025 Bear Challenge was a success in large part due to its supportive sponsors, including financial partner Travis Hardwick of TCC Multi-Family Interiors Inc. A full list of in-kind partners includes:

Baylor University School of Engineering and Computer Science
Baylor University Student Leadership Development
Baylor University Undergraduate Admissions
Baylor University External Affairs
Becky DeGarcia, Waco Mama Bear, LLC
City of Waco Economic Development and Tourism
Diana Vallejo, EVEN Hotel Waco – KB Hotels
H-E-B
Jennifer Svacina, Balloon POP Waco
JJ Rasmussen, JJ’s Quilts & Crafts
Kathryn Towson, REALTOR® Kelly Realtors
Make It Lit Waco

“We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous support from our financial and in-kind partners,” Carr said. “Our local community is making a difference for these students, and we cannot thank them enough.”

For more information on the Bear Challenge, visit https://hankamer.baylor.edu/baugh-center/bear-challenge.