FW: 10 finalists selected for third annual MSU $50K Venture Competition

BOZEMAN — Ten entrepreneurial ventures have been selected as finalists for Montana State University’s third annual $50K Venture Competition, which will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, in Inspiration Hall on the MSU campus. The public is invited to attend.

During the competition, which is hosted by MSU’s Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and its Blackstone LaunchPad, the 10 ventures will compete for a share of $50,000 in prize money. Finalists will also gain access to experienced entrepreneurs, mentors and numerous business network resources. In addition, finalists will receive feedback from judges and may capture the attention of investors, future collaborators and community members, and the Blackstone LaunchPad has provided dedicated coaches to each of the finalist ventures for mentoring and support.

The finalists were selected from among 26 entries submitted by students, faculty, staff and recent alumni from MSU and the University of Montana.

The finalists pitching in the traditional venture track are:

• Aizy Tech, which is focused on specialized robotics solutions. Its initial products are drones for first responders.

• Hear It Clear, a production network connecting people and resources for executing live events.

• Ignis Technologies, which provides tools to modernize how firefighting organizations communicate and distribute information.

• Morel Technology, a platform enabling mobile apps for local and regional restaurants.

• The Giddy Thrifter, a media and e-commerce venture that aims to inspire and educate budget-conscious young people on styling their homes and wardrobes using primarily thrifted goods.

The finalists pitching in the social venture track are:

• High Morel, which is developing a mushroom-based water filtration system to make safe drinking water more accessible.

• Homecoming Seed Co., an organic vegetable seed producer focused on bio-regionally adapted varieties of seeds.

• Plus, which connects college students to provide a peer-based social support system.

• Sweet Grass Woman, a retail store promoting and empowering producers of authentic Native American products and services.

• TrialWear, which provides technology for clinical trial participant safety.

The Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers four undergraduate options of study – accounting, finance, management and marketing – as well as five minors – accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship and small business management, finance, and international business. It also offers a master of professional accountancy degree, master of science in innovation and management, a business certificate and entrepreneurship certificate.

MSU’s Blackstone LaunchPad helps MSU students succeed in entrepreneurship and in their careers. Open to students, faculty, and alumni in all majors, the campus-based LaunchPad provides mentoring, opportunities for participants to grow their networks and resources to help their businesses succeed. For more information, visit montana.edu/launchpad/.

-ac- 

This story is available on the web at: http://www.montana.edu/news/22054