Applications Open for 24th Annual UW Entrepreneurship Competition

The application period for student teams to enter the University of Wyoming’s 24th annual John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition is open until 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16.

The competition is designed to encourage college students across Wyoming to act on their talents, ideas and energy to produce tomorrow’s leading businesses.

“The John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition is a springboard at the University of Wyoming for students pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams,” says Chris Haller, director of the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics. “We look forward to cultivating a new crop of student teams that will be growing their businesses.”

Student teams at the undergraduate and graduate levels from UW and Wyoming community colleges are invited to compete for cash prizes to help grow their businesses.

The competition features the following rounds: Round 1, executive summary application; Round 2, virtual pitch and written business concept; and Round 3, final presentation. The first two rounds will occur during the current semester, and Round 3 will take place April 24-25.

This past spring, eight teams competed in Round 3, with winners receiving $71,500 in prize money toward their businesses. Four of the 2023 teams participated in a course called “Business Model Creation and Launch” (ENTR 4700) offered by the UW College of Business. The course assists teams in developing and strengthening their business models, including aspects such as sales channel and marketing strategy, revenue model, cost structure and financials, and competitor analysis in preparation for their final presentations.

“Last year’s competitors took advantage of several business resources and mentorship opportunities we were able to provide,” says Corey Billington, the course instructor. “It is important for us to continue to foster connection and community for these teams so that we can retain their energy and enthusiasm while simultaneously diversifying our Wyoming economy.”

For students interested in learning more and applying, the Center for Principle-Based Leadership and Ethics will host an in-depth Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition information session and lunch Thursday, Oct. 5, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 123 of the College of Business Building.

Teams interested in competing should apply at www.uwyo.edu/business/entrepreneurship/ and click the competitor links. For more information, email Josie Voight, project coordinator, at voight@uwyo.edu.