USF Nault Center celebrates the entrepreneurial journey at inaugural awards event

ST. PETERSBURG — Founders, mentors and future innovators gathered on Tuesday to celebrate entrepreneurship at the University of South Florida.

The Nault Center for Entrepreneurship honored a community leader, mentors and student entrepreneurs at its inaugural awards luncheon, recognizing the people helping students turn ideas into businesses.

The event drew over 300 attendees to the University Student Center at the USF St. Petersburg campus, bringing together faculty, alumni, donors, advisory board members and business leaders from across Tampa Bay.

“At USF, entrepreneurship is much more than a program. It’s a place where students come with ideas, test those ideas, learn from failure, build confidence, and ultimately create ventures that can change industries and communities,” said Allen Clary, the center’s executive director.

Housed in the USF Muma College of Business, the center connects entrepreneurship education with mentorship, funding and opportunities to build ventures. The luncheon recognized the people behind that work and the students putting those resources into practice.

Vanguard Leadership Award

Andy Hafer, co-founder and executive chairman of DCE Productions, received the Vanguard Leadership Award for his leadership, generosity and commitment to expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs.

A former executive director of the Nault Center and current advisory board chair, Hafer helped strengthen the center’s connections with Tampa Bay’s business community. He has also helped students secure resources to launch their ventures.

Hafer and his wife, Eileen, contributed $1.75 million to establish the Hafer THRIVE Entrepreneurship Program, which includes a $1 million endowed fund for seed funding, coaching and educational resources for student entrepreneurs.

“He’s got these extraordinary talents. Andy is an executor. Andy gets results. You can’t mirror that combination of capability from an execution standpoint, vision, imagination, and then his incredible generosity,” said Gil Gonzalez in a video shown at the luncheon.

Mentorship and leadership awards

Jennifer Sineway received the Nexus Leadership Award for connecting student entrepreneurs with the people and guidance needed to move their ventures forward.

An alumna and advisory board member, Sineway founded the center’s Entrepreneur Mentorship Program. Over the past five years, the program has expanded to include over 100 mentors.

Her work connects students with experienced entrepreneurs who can help them navigate challenges, refine their ideas and build confidence.

“A nexus is the connection point that links people together and the center that holds a network and community in place. Jennifer, for the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship, that has been you,” Clary said while presenting the award.

Dennis Moncur won the 2026 Mentor of the Year award for his work with student entrepreneur Darren Booth.

The next generation of Tampa Bay founders

The luncheon concluded with eight student awards, whose entrepreneurial journeys demonstrated persistence, leadership and a willingness to learn through experience.

• Morgan Bierbrunner received the Perseverance Award for continuing to build Rush Power while navigating manufacturing problems, packaging setbacks and vendor delays.
• Julia Reding received the Versatility Award for her contributions across research, entrepreneurship and program support.
• Jackson Poynor received the Tenacity Award for his commitment to personal growth while building Simple Referrals. 
• Sudeepa Pasupuleti received the Galvanizer Award for bringing people together around health care innovation.
• Darren Booth received the Conviction Award for pursuing the business potential of protein smoothie pops he began making in his kitchen.
• Rima El Brouzi, co-founder of Syp, received the Catalyst Award for turning ideas into action through entrepreneurship and student leadership. 
• Mathis Haugen, also a co-founder of Syp, received the Fortitude Award. When an expected investment did not materialize, Haugen and his team secured USF Athletics as a beta partner and raised nearly $90,000 to advance the venture.
• Addison Bounds received the Boldness Award for creating Avaia, wearable technology designed to detect drink-spiking drugs.

Clary closed the event by thanking everyone who has believed in the power of entrepreneurship.

“Because of your commitment, the Nault Center continues to expand its impact through education, mentorship, competitions, venture support, and community engagement,” he said.