Business Plan Competition
Entrepreneurship
is for everyone.
The Riata Business Plan Competition is Oklahoma State University's premier platform for student-led ventures. Open to students from all disciplines—regardless of business experience, the competition encourages entrepreneurship and small business development through student-created, managed and owned ventures.
Business Plan Stats
279
Competing students
since 2012
150
Total participating teams
since 2012
$448,000
Total scholarships awarded
since 2012
2026 Business Plan Competition
The Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship concluded this year's competition on Friday, Jan. 30, awarding $40,500 in scholarship money to 16 teams and 24 individuals.
Competition tracks
Main Street Lifestyles
This category is for small business startups whose products or services are readily available to the general public. Businesses in category may have a brick and mortar location or run a retail operation completely online. Main Street businesses innovate through execution and differentiation strategies.
Big City/High Tech
This category is for high tech startups that have some sort of intellectual property at the core of their technology offerings. Businesses in this category will usually have patents to disclose or have a unique offering that can scale into large industries. High Tech businesses innovate through technology and go-to market strategies.
Category Sponsor
Richard L. Tourtellotte
Family Scholarship
Established by the Tourtellotte family in honor of Richard L. Tourtellotte, the scholarship reflects his lifelong commitment to hard work and problem-solving. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he owned and operated multiple Oklahoma businesses and served in public roles for two decades, including positions with U.S. Senators Henry Bellmon and Don Nickles. His work focused on resolving business challenges that impacted the state and its communities.
*2026 Tourtellotte Scholarship recipient, Kevin Kuteesa
Business Plan Photo Gallery
