2025 Award Recipients

Final Pitch Competition Winner: QTex AI

Founded by: Oliver MacDonald and Chris Dagher | Boise State University

QTex AI develops AI-powered tools that improve engineering workflows and data management across the product development cycle. Its flagship platform, PartWise, uses conversational AI to help electrical engineers quickly find and select electronic components, boosting speed, design quality, and product longevity.

QTex AI focuses on solving high-impact inefficiencies in the $500B+ electronics design and manufacturing sector, with plans to expand its platform across industries.

Trolley House Ventures Award: EasyTie

Founded by: Jack Burke, Michael Farris, and William Carey | University of Idaho

EasyTie solves knot tying issues in the fly fishing community by offering a product that helps people with dexterity, vision, or weather issues tie their flies on easier.

The Trolley House Venture Award recognizes a company with commercial promise. This award is composed of $5,000 and a mentorship opportunity with Trolley House Ventures.

President’s Award: Roadshow

Founded by: Ella Lechner | Boise State University

Roadshow is an app that streamlines the booking process for small artists and concert venues, helping both grow their networks and manage events with ease. Artists and venues create media-rich profiles to showcase their work and discover potential partners. Artists can book single shows or plan full tours based on their reach, while venues can browse talent and send booking requests directly.

The platform handles everything from scheduling and profitability estimates to booking management and cancellations. Artists can also purchase merch through the app, making it a one-stop hub for live performance logistics.

The President’s Award is given to an inspiring student(s) entrepreneur by Boise State University’s President Marlene Tromp.

“In a world where giants in many industries have the power to control so much, [Road Show] offers small entrepreneurs and artists a shot at elevating new, innovative, and transformative. Voices that might otherwise be unheard are so vital at this time.” Marlene Tromp, President, Boise State University

BEW Golden Ticket: EasyTie

Founded by: Jack Burke, Michael Farris, and William Carey | University of Idaho

EasyTie solves knot tying issues in the fly fishing community by offering a product that helps people with dexterity, vision, or weather issues tie their flies on easier.

The Boise Entrepreneur Week Golden Ticket is presented to a company that demonstrates market value, traction, and commercial promise. A Golden Ticket is awarded to compete in the 2024 BEW Semi-Final Pitch Competition. 

Track Winner: QTex AI

Founded by: Oliver MacDonald and Chris Dagher | Boise State University

QTex AI develops AI-powered tools that improve engineering workflows and data management across the product development cycle. Its flagship platform, PartWise, uses conversational AI to help electrical engineers quickly find and select electronic components, boosting speed, design quality, and product longevity.

QTex AI focuses on solving high-impact inefficiencies in the $500B+ electronics design and manufacturing sector, with plans to expand its platform across industries.

Second Place: Interval AI

Founded by: Kaysen Klingler | Brigham Young University-Idaho

Interval AI helps business owners recover overdue payments through automated outreach. Instead of chasing delinquent accounts manually or relying on costly collection agencies, users upload a simple .csv file, and Interval handles the rest—sending customized campaigns via calls, texts, and emails.

Customers receive secure payment links, making it easy to settle balances and helping businesses improve cash flow without the hassle.

Third Place: Taru

Founded by: Luke Larkin and Anna Manaseryan | Boise State University

Taru is an AI-powered recovery platform tackling the growing crisis of digital addictions—from gaming and gambling to social media and online shopping. Unlike traditional recovery tools, Taru delivers real-time, personalized interventions when users need them most.

By monitoring digital behavior, detecting early signs of compulsive use, and offering just-in-time support through nudges and guided exercises, Taru helps users regain control. Backed by trauma-informed psychology and optional human coaching, the platform adapts to each user’s journey, promoting long-term recovery through personalized strategies and AI-driven insights.

Track Winner: EasyTie

Founded by: Jack Burke, Michael Farris, and William Carey | University of Idaho

EasyTie solves knot tying issues in the fly fishing community by offering a product that helps people with dexterity, vision, or weather issues tie their flies on easier.

Second Place: Powerport Sweater

Founded by: Seth Hoover and Maegan Marie Rupe | College of Western Idaho

Designed for individuals receiving infusion treatments, the Powerport Sweater is a fashion-forward and affordable garment featuring discreet port access and IV-friendly sleeves, combining comfort, dignity, and style to help patients feel more like themselves on treatment days.

Third Place: Snap Bag Company

Founded by: Braden Williams | Brigham Young University-Idaho

Snap Bag is a reusable trap designed to contain mice within a bag for safe, sanitary, and sustainable disposal.

Track Winner: Top Tier Storage Solutions

Founded by: Dakota G. Stamper | Brigham Young University-Idaho

Top Tier Storage Solutions redefines modern storage with innovative, sealed, and vented portable units that solve common issues like pests, weather damage, and theft. After 15 months of hands-on development, Top Tier offers lightweight, easy-to-assemble units that can be delivered flat and set up in under 35 minutes. Sold directly to local facilities and businesses, these units offer 20–30% higher returns compared to traditional storage, with personalized delivery and setup support included.

Second Place: Steward Dryer Vent Cleaning

Founded by: Daniel Rubio | Brigham Young University-Idaho

Steward Dryer Vent Cleaning’s mission is to help people become better stewards of their homes—starting with dryer vent cleaning, a simple yet often overlooked service. Clean dryer vents help reduce energy bills, appliance wear, and the frustration of poorly dried clothes. More critically, they helps prevent house fires caused by lint buildup—a risk that leads to nearly 14,000 fires and $238 million in damage annually in the U.S.

Third Place: Mama-Lu Mail

Founded by: Lucia Ratliff | Brigham Young University-Idaho

Mama-Lu Mail helps families send personalized care packages and messages of love to college students through a simple online platform. Launched in November 2024, Mama-Lu Mail uses student couriers to hand-deliver thoughtful gifts during the regular campus day—bringing comfort, encouragement, and celebration from afar. With plans to expand nationwide, Mama-Lu aims to become a go-to resource for families supporting students across the country.

Track Winner: DNA Innovations

Founded by: Davis Nguyen | Boise State University

DNA Innovations is redefining emergency preparedness with the EZ-R Tourniquet Belt—a discreet, everyday belt that doubles as a life-saving tourniquet. Developed by military medics, this patent-pending design solves a critical issue: most people don’t carry tourniquets due to bulk and inconvenience. The EZ-R Belt ensures users—from first responders to civilians—always have a life-saving tool on hand. Its ratcheting system and secondary lever deliver the pressure needed to stop severe bleeding, all while functioning like a normal belt.

Currently in prototype, DNA Innovations is preparing for production and FDA registration, with plans to launch direct-to-consumer before expanding into B2B and government sectors.

Second Place: Nova Speculum

Founded by: Emile Johnson, Oaklee Woolstenhume, Elle Dingel, Christina Mai, Natalie Zender | University of Idaho

Nova Speculum is revolutionizing cervical exams with an innovative design that replaces the traditional speculum, which has remained unchanged for 200 years. Using pin-latch technology, it operates noiselessly and features an ergonomic design that enhances patient comfort. Seamlessly integrating into existing clinical workflows, Nova Speculum offers a more comfortable and less stressful experience for women during preventive care exams.

Third Place: NovaSheath

Founded by: Beau Aguilar, Luke Hyland, KO Roach, Isaac Turner, Lyndze Hatcher | Brigham Young University-Idaho

NovaSheath is a medical device company focused on improving vascular access for transcatheter procedures. Its innovative Expandable Introducer Sheath allows controlled expansion to accommodate large-bore catheters, minimizing vessel trauma and reducing complications like arterial dissection and bleeding.

Designed for structural heart interventions such as TAVR and mitral valve repair, Novasheath enhances trackability, flexibility, and hemostasis, overcoming the limitations of traditional fixed-diameter sheaths. Novasheath aims to improve patient safety, expand procedural feasibility, and advance minimally invasive cardiovascular treatments.