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Three teams from the School of Business at Southern Adventist University traveled to Denver, Colorado, this past April to compete in the 2026 Enactus USA National Exposition, a national competition where college students from across the country pitch ventures addressing real-world challenges.

Eight Southern students in three teams presented projects that applied innovation and business principles to address social and environmental issues, and two teams advanced to the finals. The Bayiri project, designed to combat child malnutrition through an affordable multigrain blend, earned a spot among the top four in the nation.

“Southern has consistently had a competitive edge in Enactus competitions because of our genuine commitment to improving lives around the world,” says Collin Emde, senior business administration major and president of the university’s Enactus chapter.

“Watching Bayiri advance was an incredible testament to the team’s dedication and impact. These competitions also open the door to more impactful conversations, including those about faith, which make the experiences even better.”

The final level of the competition was scheduled on Saturday, so Southern’s Bayiri team opted to send a video rather than attend in person as a witness to the sacredness of Sabbath.

“I thought it was incredible that we got to tell everyone why we weren’t going to be there in person,” says Kareena Hansen, senior business administration major and project manager for Bayiri. “Our choice really had the potential to make people ask questions and want to know more about Adventism.”

“This experience reflects the heart of Southern’s School of Business,” adds Sergio Bellino, associate professor of business and Enactus faculty advisor. “We are developing students who combine excellence, service, and entrepreneurship to solve meaningful problems locally and globally while also staying true to what they believe. It’s an honor for me to mentor teams who stand tall both professionally and spiritually.”

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