June 4, 2025—Kansas City, Missouri—University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Enactus has been named the National Champion at the 2025 Enactus USA National Exposition. After competing against 14 teams in the traditional competition track, University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Enactus was named National Champion and will be heading to the Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand this September, where they’ll present their winning projects: RenewTowns and ProChapina.

RenewTowns is a community revitalization project focused on small-town businesses in Wisconsin. The team partners with local leaders to promote small entrepreneurs who boost economic development and improve residents’ quality of life. ProChapina is a nonprofit in Antigua, Guatemala that empowers women through vocational training, healthcare access, and basic living support to promote the financial independence of women.

Mikena Manspeaker, Acting Country Leader of Enactus USA, said, “This year’s Expo reminds me why I fell in love with Enactus as a student. These young leaders are creating real change locally and globally and their commitment to using business as a force for good is both humbling and hopeful. I’m honored to stand alongside them. I’m especially proud of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater team for earning the national title. Their work with RenewTowns and ProChapina is a powerful example of how Enactus students turn vision into action, and I can’t wait to cheer them on as team USA!”

Rutgers Places Second with Agoraponic Farms

Rutgers University – New Brunswick won second place in the traditional track competition with their venture Agoraponic Farms. Agoraponic Farms is a student-led hydroponics initiative under the Enactus social entrepreneurship club. The project utilizes sustainable hydroponic farming systems to grow fresh produce on campus without the use of soil, significantly reducing water consumption and environmental impact compared to traditional agriculture. Rounding out the Final Four were North Central College and Centenary University. 

Every year, Enactus teams from around the country come to Expo to compete, collaborate, and further develop their social entrepreneurial skills. The 2025 US Expo brought together over 300 people for three days of networking, educational workshops, and competition in Kansas City, MO. Hosted by University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) and sponsored by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, this year’s program took place at both the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center and the Student Center at UMKC. Hailing from 15 different states, some of the brightest young social entrepreneurs in the country gathered to pitch innovative solutions to critical global challenges. 

Dr. Rohrs Delivers 50th Anniversary Address

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Enactus, Dr. Alvin Rohrs, President & CEO of Enactus Global from 1982 to 2016, gave the final address at Expo, highlighting the history of Enactus and some of the most influential board chairs he had the chance to work with. He shared lessons from Jack Shewmaker, former Walmart President, who challenged him with “How high is up?”— pushing Enactus beyond perceived boundaries and toward treating people as who they can become, not just who they are. Rohrs also credited his wife Elizabeth, whose unwavering support and career sacrifices were instrumental to Enactus’ success, even contributing behind the scenes to key donor engagements. He concluded by reflecting on how learning from mentors with vision, integrity, humility, and community can create a global movement like Enactus.

Not only did this year’s Expo mark the 50th anniversary of Enactus, but it also was the first Expo held in collaboration with Resolution Project, which began an integration process with Enactus Global in 2023. Specifically, Resolution Project has committed over $2 million to Enactus Global to ensure the continuation of its 50-year legacy of educating and equipping young social entrepreneurs. Enactus Global and Resolution Project’s combined impact has included engaging over 40,000 young social entrepreneurs annually with a presence in nearly 100 countries. These young leaders have cumulatively impacted almost 20 million lives. As a result of this partnership, Enactus USA and Resolution Project hosted the first ever Social Venture Challenge (SVC) at Expo.