Local entrepreneur funds college business contest with $500,000

Undergrad students with a thirst for business experience have a new way to get — and stay — ahead of the game.

By Didi McKay
| 5:45 a.m. September 23, 2021
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Lori Sax. David Chessler, through his Sarasota-based company, Chessler Holdings recently donated $500,0000 to University of South Florida for a business contest.

Entrepreneurs

A great concept without a strong team goes nowhere, says entrepreneur David Chessler, whose Sarasota-based company, Chessler Holdings, holds diversified investments in multiple industries.

One of Chessler’s newest ventures, the Hustle program at University of South Florida, leverages the power of teams — each of which will compete for monetary prizes as they learn to run a real business, complete with a salary and a board of directors to report to. Hustle stands for Helping Undergraduate Students Tackle Leadership and Entrepreneurship, and it offers mentorship and real-life startup business experience.

Chessler is putting some financial muscle behind the hustle: the Muma College of Business at USF recently announced it received a $500,000 donation from Chessler Holdings. “The younger you are, the more risk you’re willing to take,” says Chessler, “and the more work you put in earlier, the better you learn. It’s scientifically proven that kids learn best when they’re having fun.”