IMPACT 307 is accepting applications for its first-ever Uinta County Start-Up Challenge through Monday, May 15.
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/. For optional business education events to recruit applicants, go to 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 Uinta County 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.
