Boise State’s Venture College encourages the public to attend the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge final pitch competition from 1:00 to 3:30 pm at the Boise State College of Innovation + Design to watch the four finalist teams pitch, followed by an award ceremony.
BOISE, Idaho – The ninth annual Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge (IEC) will be held on Friday, April 7th, 2023, at 9:00 am MT at the College of Innovation + Design – (1865 W Cesar Chavez Ln, Albertsons Library, 2nd floor, Boise, ID 83725). The IEC is a statewide university competition, hosted by Boise State University’s Venture College, developing and advancing student entrepreneurs with promising ventures and small businesses. College and university students from across Idaho compete for money and services to advance their startups.
The community is invited to meet the top 4 teams competing for cash prizes that total $50,000. Winning teams also receive accounting and legal services to advance their startups. Join Venture College at 1:00 pm for a tabletop meet and greet with the finalists to learn about their ventures and connect with judges, fellow student entrepreneurs, and community members from all fields. Following the tabletop meet and greet, watch as the 4 track winners pitch for additional cash prizes and a spot in the 2023 Boise Entrepreneur Week pitch competition.
IEC Finalists
The IEC finals are composed of four tracks with three finalists. Boise State University, Brigham Young University – Idaho, Idaho State University, and University of Idaho are represented by the 12 teams competing.
Accessories Track
JETPAKK – Brigham Young University – Idaho
- A customizable backpack that allows you to express your personality and style. You can customize your backpack so it is different every single day.
On Glass – Boise State University
- Offers a way for users to attach their cell phones to an optical device like a spotting scope, pair of binoculars or telescope.
Second Skin Glove – Idaho State University
- Designed to protect the hands from hair splinters and shed hair quickly while being thin enough to be comfortably worn all day, with a fabric that quickly sheds water as well as hairs.
Manufactured Goods Track
Aquafur – Boise State University
- Provides a variety of water sport equipment to the North American Regions which allows participants to safely recreate in any water sport.
Smooth Suspension – University of Idaho
- A patent-pending suspension system designed with a first-class lever redirecting the shock downward and away from the cargo in the trailer.
StrapWell – University of Idaho
- A bag designed to strap and cinch on to any tie-down available. With this bag any construction company or building supply store that is shipping large items on a flatbed truck, can now ship smaller items on the same truck.
Service/Consumer Packaged Goods Track
After Hours – Brigham Young University – Idaho
- An atmosphere + hang out spot to get wings & non-alcoholic beverages in Rexburg.
Breathe Easy Navigation | Boise State University
- Navigating chronic respiratory patients to breathe easier through a Pulmonary Disease Navigator.
Sawtooth Sweet Shoppe | University of Idaho
- A freeze dried candy business with a product line including freeze dried taffy, freeze dried marshmallows, and freeze dried fruit drops.
Technology/Med Tech Track
U Caddy – University of Idaho
- A golf transportation vehicle, which enables users to move quicker around the golf course, for less than half the cost of competitors.
Vision – Idaho State University
- A portable and easy-to-use case that will sanitize and eradicate the buildup of bacteria, pollution, and protein, which are the leading cause of contact lens wear out and eye infections.
Willow’s Playground – University of Idaho
- Helps children aged 7-11 on the autism spectrum strengthen their communication skills by providing a safe environment to practice via VR with a high skill retention rate, using conversational AI.
IEC Prelims
Seven universities and colleges represented the IEC preliminaries on Friday, March 31 when 51 teams pitched and over 150 students participated.
- Boise State University
- Brigham Young University – Idaho
- College of Southern Idaho
- College of Western Idaho
- Idaho State University
- North Idaho College
- University of Idaho
The IEC has over 40 entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders throughout Idaho serving as judges in the preliminaries and final pitch competitions for the IEC. Judges provide feedback upon seeing the pitch and offer insight, plus connections that further the lifecycle of the students’ startups.
The 2023 IEC is sponsored by: CDI Group of Companies, Trolley House Ventures, IGEM,Hawley Troxell, Stratton & Associates, Trailhead Boise, and Boise Entrepreneur Week.