DSU students engage regional peers at Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference

April 28, 2026

Students from Dakota State University's Trojan Entrepreneurship Club connected with peers, industry leaders, and innovators at the annual Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Omaha this month.

The conference brings together students from across the region to explore entrepreneurship through speaker sessions, networking opportunities, and a competitive pitch event. DSU students have participated in the conference since 2019, gaining exposure to the ideas, skills, and relationships that shape successful ventures.

Seven DSU students attended this year's conference: Carson Sauseda, Brian Aranki, Sulaksh Rajlawat, Garret Leiseth, Aabhisha Bhandari, Tobey Lee, and Estefania Gonzalez.

Gonzalez represented DSU in the conference pitch competition, presenting her business concept, DormCycle, a student-run resale initiative developed through the Trojan Entrepreneurship Club. The concept focuses on collecting gently used items from students leaving campus, including mini-fridges, microwaves, storage bins, and dorm décor, and reselling them at affordable prices to incoming students in the fall. The initiative is designed to support a more sustainable campus environment while reducing costs for students. It also provides hands-on experience in business operations, with students managing logistics, finances, and marketing as part of the venture's development.

Gonzalez's presentation reflected strong preparation and professionalism while representing DSU among a competitive field of student entrepreneurs from institutions across the Midwest.

"The Midwest Entrepreneurship Conference provides our students with valuable opportunities to learn directly from experienced founders and connect with peers pursuing similar goals," Dr. Michael Roach, associate professor of management said. "Experiences like this showcases DSU's commitment to applied learning and help students better understand what it takes to move an idea forward and build something meaningful."

In addition to the pitch competition, students attended sessions featuring entrepreneurs and business leaders who shared insights on launching and scaling ventures. The event also emphasized collaboration, allowing students to exchange ideas and build relationships across institutions.

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