Stay Connected with the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center
Join the Spartan Collective to stay engaged with UTampa’s entrepreneurial community! As an alum, you’ll receive exclusive updates, event invitations and opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, mentor students and support the next generation of innovators.
Alumni Awards
Annually, The University of Tampa’s John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center honors its most outstanding alumni entrepreneurs in an awards ceremony. This gathering also serves as a platform for networking with like-minded alumni entrepreneurs.
Award Categories:
Lowth Entrepreneurship Center Service Award
This award recognizes alumni who have made an outstanding altruistic contribution to the community.
Social Entrepreneur
This award recognizes alumni who have shown a strong commitment to social responsibility.
Early Stage Award
This award recognizes alumni with promising ventures who are in the early stages of growth.
Family Business
This award recognizes alumni who are part of a family business.
Young Entrepreneur Award
This award recognizes young alumni who have shown exceptional talent and achieved success in business.
Outstanding Service to Entrepreneurs
This award recognizes alumni or non-alumni who have shown outstanding commitment to the entrepreneurial community in general.
Innovator Entrepreneur
This award recognizes alumni who have shown a commitment to innovative business practices.
Service-Based Entrepreneur
This award recognizes alumni entrepreneurs in service-oriented industries such as consulting.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes alumni who operate businesses that have shown stability and success over a long period of time.
Lowth Entrepreneurship Center Annual Alumni Gathering and Awards
Established in 2012, the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center Alumni Gathering and Awards honors alumni who have made significant professional and personal achievements since graduation.
The 12th Anniversary Alumni Awards, held on Feb. 20, 2025, was our largest event to date, with over 360 attendees celebrating the success of UTampa’s entrepreneurial community.
Details for the 13th Anniversary Alumni Awards will be announced in Summer 2025. Stay tuned for updates!
2025 Award Recipients
Paul Epstein ’95: 2025 Innovator Award
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of LCG
Paul Epstein is the co-founder and managing partner of LCG, a leading financial services firm specializing in due diligence, corporate finance, M&A advisory and wealth management. Since 2003, he has helped drive LCG’s growth and reputation for excellence. Previously, he held leadership roles in financial services. An avid UTampa supporter, he is an active member of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center’s Advisory Board.
Brian Smith '95: 2025 Innovator Award
Brian Smith is the co-founder and managing partner of LCG, a leading financial services firm specializing in due diligence, corporate finance, M&A advisory and wealth management. Since 2003, he has led LCG’s growth, building a national presence with over 150 professionals. He has been an active UTampa supporter, serving as the chair of the Board of Fellows and on the Sykes College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.
Jake Schmidt '16, M.S. '17: 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award
Jake Schmidt, a UTampa entrepreneurship graduate, has sold over 200 properties totaling $100 million-plus in transactions. He founded CapStar Real Estate, co-founded Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Company, and launched Shmeet Commerce. Beyond business, he mentors UTampa entrepreneurs, coaches youth lacrosse, and explores global cultures through food and music.
Spartan Collective
Spartan Collective is the John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center’s platform that bridges students and alumni to a world of opportunities and meaningful connections. Whether you're a graduate or a current student, our unique space fosters collaboration, expertise sharing and mutual support.
Spartan Collective empowers alumni to give back to the community, embrace fresh perspectives and enhance leadership skills. As the core of Lowth Center's programming, it fuels initiatives like the Spartan Accelerator and Spartan Incubator, events such as Pitch Sykes and CREATE Business Idea competition, and UT Entrepreneurship club. Join Spartan Collective now and shape a brighter future together.
For our esteemed alumni, Spartan Collective ensures lifelong connections. We offer a comprehensive platform for alumni to access job opportunities, career support, mentoring and valuable resources—all in one place. No matter your career stage, Spartan Collective empowers you with meaningful connections and support. For ambitious students, Spartan Collective is the gateway to building a powerful network and unlocking endless opportunities.
Join Spartan Collective today and be part of a thriving community of innovators, mentors and change-makers. Together, we'll shape a brighter future for entrepreneurship and unleash the potential of every member in our network.
