桃瘾社区

桃瘾社区's John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, part of the Sykes College of Business, hosted its 12th annual Alumni Awards ceremony on Feb. 20. This year's event honored three individuals for exceptional contributions to entrepreneurship and society:

• Paul Epstein 鈥�95 and Brian Smith 鈥�95 were co-awarded the 2025 Innovator Award for their work at LCG, a financial services consulting firm that has managed over $150 billion worth in transaction engagements such as loan and investment due diligence, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions advisory, and wealth management. They co-founded the company in 2003 and now have 136 employees nationwide. Epstein is鈥痑n active member of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center鈥檚 Advisory Board, while Smith serves as the chair of the Board of Fellows and on the Sykes College of Business Dean鈥檚 Advisory Council.
• Jake Schmidt 鈥�16, M.S. 鈥�17 earned the 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award. The founder and co-broker of CapStar Real Estate has sold over 200 properties totaling over $100 million. He also co-founded Cousin Vinny鈥檚 Sandwich Company.

The Alumni Awards event is a cornerstone program for the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit and achievements of 桃瘾社区ampa alumni. The event also serves as a vital networking opportunity for current students, allowing them to connect with and learn from successful entrepreneurs.

Epstein called the center鈥檚 accomplishments and development program 鈥渢ruly remarkable,鈥� and said the students he鈥檚 met 鈥済ive hope that they will take the school and the alumni base to new levels.鈥�

Smith added: 鈥淪ince graduating from 桃瘾社区 in 1995, the University has been a constant source of support, talent, and inspiration鈥攁n invaluable foundation for my professional journey over the past 30 years.鈥�

The award ceremony was held in the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center on campus.

鈥淭he Lowth Entrepreneurship Center has built a dynamic and collaborative network of alumni who continue to break barriers, shape industries, and redefine success,鈥� said Dean A. Koutroumanis, associate director of the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center. 鈥淭his event is a听celebration of that entrepreneurial spirit and the incredible achievements of our 桃瘾社区ampa alumni.鈥�

The John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center, part of the Sykes College of Business, is located within the Daly Innovation and Collaboration Building at 桃瘾社区ampa. The space is creatively designed to bring together prospective student entrepreneurs, educators and experienced executives to generate, define and develop entrepreneurial concepts and to launch new ventures. For more information, see the Lowth Entrepreneurship Center website at www.utampa.edu/entrepreneurcenter/.