One Smart Cookie

When students complete business plans through the UA’s internationally recognized McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship, all end up with vetted blueprints for new enterprises. Some teams, though, go further. This year’s Cookie Fusion team won funding from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation to advance their concepts even closer to opening shop. First, they hired talent to create visual identity, jump-starting the challenge of building brand and hooking the attention of potential investors along the way. Their award also funded research -- endless batches of dough in pursuit of the perfect recipes for fresh, baked-while-you-wait customized cookies. So while Cookie Fusion may not open doors until this spring, when it comes to entrepreneurship education, the team already enjoys the sweet taste of success.