Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute Awards Over $396,000 in Scholarships for 2024-25

Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan. 13, 2025

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute has awarded over $396,000 in scholarships to over 105 student entrepreneurs for the 2024-25 academic year. Most of the scholarships come with the opportunity to gain leadership skills and experience while managing many activities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Find a list of scholarship recipients below. They include undergraduate to graduate students and come from many different majors across campus.

“Students have a critical role in our community to manage many of our programs and opportunities for student entrepreneurs,” said Troy D’Ambrosio, executive director of the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, an assistant dean at the Eccles School, and the vice president for innovation at the University of Utah. “Our student leaders get an exceptional leadership experience and scholarship to manage programs. They use this experience to learn about entrepreneurship, share their knowledge and build their resume.”

Troy D’Ambrosio, Executive Director, Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute

All incoming and current students at the University of Utah are welcome to apply for scholarships from the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. The priority application deadline to apply for scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year is Jan. 9, 2025, and the regular deadline is Feb. 15, 2025. Students who miss the deadlines can apply at any time, and applications will be considered when opportunities are available.

The majority of the students receiving scholarships serve as student leaders. They manage a broad variety of programs at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, ranging from workshops and mentor sessions to a makerspace and high school outreach program.

“We are proudly a community that is managed by and for students,” said Anne Bastien, program director at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute. “Our many exceptional student leaders gain a life-changing experience to manage teams, budgets and events at a young age, while our student participants tell us they enjoy engaging with programs provided by their peers, because they have a lot in common.”

Grace Wunder is one of the Lassonde student leaders for the 2024-25 academic year. From Midway, Utah, Wunder is an entrepreneurship major and a leader for the Lassonde business competitions – the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge and High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge.

“I enjoy being a Lassonde student leader because it allows me to connect with a diverse group of people, build meaningful relationships, and expand my network,” Wunder said. “The opportunity to take on real-world tasks and responsibilities gives me a sense of purpose and confidence as I apply what I’ve learned in a practical setting. I appreciate being treated like a capable adult, as it challenges me to grow, think critically and contribute in impactful ways.”

Wunder recommends other students explore the opportunity to become a Lassonde student leader.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to develop leadership skills while working on meaningful, real-world projects,” she said. “It’s a chance to connect with like-minded peers, build your network and gain experience that will prepare you for future challenges. The role helps you grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a dynamic and supportive community.”

Another Lassonde student leader, Logan Bogesvang is a business student from Woodinville, Wash. He is also a leader for the Lassonde business competitions.

“I enjoy being a student leader at Lassonde because I get to collaborate with passionate and innovative people,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see my efforts make an impact on those around me. As a student leader with Lassonde, you will gain hands-on experience in leading initiatives and networking in a supportive environment."

Sadie Bowen is a Lassonde student leader for the Make program. She is a computer science major from Salt Lake City.

“Being a student leader provides a wonderful community to be a part of,” she said. “The Make space has a unique opportunity to get to know and work with a variety of people. Working in the Make space inspires me to be more creative and innovative. It has taught me how problem solving is a crucial life skill.”

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business. The institute provides many programs and opportunities for all students on campus to launch a company, build a product or join a team. Most programs are provided at Lassonde Studios.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at lassonde.utah.edu/leadership. Learn more about the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at lassonde.utah.edu.

Lassonde 2024-25 Scholarship Recipients

Here are the Lassonde student leaders and scholarship recipients for 2024-25. They are listed by program or program group and then alphabetically by last name:

Company Launch