In February, 13 teams supported by the Idaho VentureCapital.Org mentors and interns from Boise State University and Idaho State University traveled to Utah to pitch their companies to regional investors at the 34th Annual Investors Choice Venture Capital Conference.
Nine companies from Idaho shared innovative ideas that ranged from robotics and autonomous tractors to financial technology and food products. Other creative solutions include companies that will change how people can use technology for end-of-life services, enable parents peace of mind when their children leave home to attend school and will innovate how commercial lighting contracting services are done. Two companies from out of state who provide innovative solutions to rural healthcare will consider moving or expanding operations to Idaho because of the business community’s willingness to support their entrepreneurial visions.
These emerging enterprises will provide jobs of the future to Idaho graduates and opportunity within Idaho’s expanding economy. Additionally, the success of these companies will invite more investment capital to the State to further enable Idaho’s entrepreneurs. The Strategic Capital Growth Program established through the partnership between the College of Business and Economics and VentureCapital.Org brings a world-class mentor resource to aspiring entrepreneurs with the mission of enabling them greater success in raising essential growth capital from the investment community. Our student interns learn a practical business strategy from these emerging innovators and draw a wealth of wisdom from over 600 professional mentors from within our program. Through this program and the efforts within Boise State University, we help entrepreneurs find both treasure and talent to grow their business and create opportunity in Idaho for Idahoans.
In January, Strategic Growth Capital Partnership hosted an investor pitch rehearsal in preparation for the conference attendance. Read the Update story on the SharkTank-like event here.