Viking Mergers’ Entrepreneur Endorsement Scholarship

Scholarship Vintage Orange Seal Isolated On White

At Viking, we believe in fostering and encouraging the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.  This is why we created our Entrepreneur Endorsement Scholarship, which is designed to help offset the costs of education for college students who have shown a demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship.  Learn more about this scholarship below.

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: Dec 1, 2022

Viking Mergers & Acquisitions understands the importance of small and local businesses. We are excited to see the new ideas of the future entrepreneurs, but we know starting a business can be financially straining. Tack on the cost of education, and the financial burden grows even further. Viking wants to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and foster small business growth in America. That’s why we’ve created the Entrepreneur Endorsement Scholarship.

Our scholarship supports students in their quest for education by providing funds for tuition, books, room & board, and other fees directly associated with their education. Any student showing a demonstrated interest in entrepreneurship can apply.

About Viking’s Entrepreneurial Story

After selling his third business, serial entrepreneur Brad Offerdahl discovered a void in the professional M&A arena in Charlotte, NC. Brad teamed up with his son Jay and founded Viking Mergers in 1996.  This father-son team has strived to secure the future of business owners in the Southeast by engaging their entrepreneurial spirit and now has 10 offices located across the southeast.  Their company has managed over 800 business transactions – helping sellers with an exit strategy and helping buyers to acquire profitable, reputable businesses and realize the dream of entrepreneurship for themselves.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements

Those applying need to be able to demonstrate an interest in entrepreneurship. The demonstration can include ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • Majoring in business, entrepreneurship, or small business management
  • Currently operating a side business while in college
  • Involvement in a family business
  • Being involved in an activity that will support their business/career goals of entrepreneurship.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to explain how your major, business, or extracurricular activities express your interest in entrepreneurship.

Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States, and also have a GPA of at least 3.0 for the prior semester or otherwise have an academic status in “good standing” (if GPAs are not used). The winner must apply the full amount of the scholarship towards costs directly associated with the cost of education within 12 months of receiving the award. These costs include: tuition, books, room & board, etc. Previous recipients of this scholarship are not eligible to apply in any subsequent years.

Application Details

Please submit the following:

  • An online application (see form below)
  • A formal letter of recommendation
  • A short essay (400-800 words). Essay Topic: If you could start a company or business, what would it be and why?

Past Winner – Conrad Nelsen – Appalachian State University

Conrad Nelsen was born and raised in Waxhaw, North Carolina. Conrad went to Marvin Ridge High School and will continue his education at Appalachian State University.  He plans on majoring in business at the Walker College of Business. With a great degree from App State Conrad hopes to achieve his future goals of becoming a CFO or a CEO and eventually becoming a business owner.

—– Apply Now Using the Form Below —–

Scholarship Form

  • Please fill out the below contact information. This should be filled out by the scholarship application only, and all contact information should be valid and should contact the phone number and email address that you check most often. The phone number and email address that you provide are what we will use to contact you. We will not use this for anything other than correspondence related to your scholarship application and/or in the event that you are awarded the scholarship.
  • The two primary materials for selecting an award recipient for this scholarship are the essay and letter of recommendation. Please upload each below. If your having problems with upload, email elizabeth@vikingmergers.com.
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.
    (All files uploaded must be 5MB or less in size, and should be between 400 and 800 words.)
  • Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.
    (Recommendation can be from a teacher, mentor, supervisor or anyone else who you know well and in a professional setting. The letter should be signed and should include the contact information of whoever wrote the letter. Preferred format is PDF or Word.)
  • Please provide us with the most recent GPA you earned. This may be your last semester of high school, or the semester or period you just completed if you are currently enrolled at a community college or university. Please note that GPA is generally NOT a deciding factor in our scholarship award program.
  • Please complete the following questions to determine your eligibility. If you have any questions concerning eligibility, please email elizabeth@vikingmergers.com.
  • Please fill out the below information about the school or program you are or will be attending. This must be an accredited college or university where you are currently attending (or will attend) and will persue a degree.