March 7, 2023
The Uinta County Start-Up Challenge is a startup competition that is run by IMPACT Uinta, a partnership between the University of Wyoming’s IMPACT 307 and Western Wyoming Community College.
IMPACT 307 is a business development program of UW. It is a not-for-profit business incubator system that provides startup and early-stage companies with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for the development of successful businesses. It is administered by UW’s Office of Research and Economic Development.
After the application period, semifinalists will be selected Wednesday, May 17. A free business boot camp for all applicants follows Saturday, May 20. Semifinalists will receive free business counseling and education from IMPACT Uinta. Semifinalists will be asked to cover their companies’ customers’ problems, solutions, ideal customers and markets Tuesday, June 6. At that time, finalists will be announced.
A “Pitch Day” event is scheduled Monday, July 31, in the Strand Theatre, located at 1028 Main St. in Evanston. During the competition, finalists will present their ideas in front of a panel of judges. The winner(s) receive seed money and other professional resources to start their businesses.
To apply to the Uinta County Start-Up Challenge, go to www.impact307.org/uinta-county-start-up-challenge/.
A number of optional IMPACT 307 business education events are planned to recruit applicants to the challenge. They include:
–Thursday, March 16, 6 p.m., Historic Roundhouse in Evanston — “Funding Your Start-Up,” featuring Uinta County Start-Up Challenge and State Bank.
–Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m., Historic Roundhouse in Evanston and virtual — “Winner Panel from Another New IMPACT 307 Regional Start-Up Challenge in Sweetwater County in 2022.”
–Thursday, April 20, 6 p.m., Historic Roundhouse in Evanston and virtual — “Economic Development Organizations: Local, Regional and Statewide.”
–Wednesday, April 26, virtual — “Lunch and Learn: Innovation.”
–Thursday, May 4, virtual — “Lunch and Learn: Career Pivoting into Entrepreneurship.”
More events may become available, and all up-to-date details can be found at www.impact307.org/events.
The Uinta County Start-Up Challenge is made possible through grants from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Wyoming Business Council. Seed funding is provided by the Uinta County Economic Development Commission and State Bank. Fundraising for the seed fund is being conducted by Rocco O’Neill, community and economic development director for the city of Evanston. Partnerships with the city of Evanston and the Uinta County Economic Development Commission have made this new competition possible.
For more information, call Monica Patten, assistant director of IMPACT 307, at (307) 466-3963 or email monica.patten@uwyo.edu.