Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge Selects Six Finalists

The Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge is down to six finalist businesses that will compete for seed funding in a Pitch Night competition Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in Room 1302 at Western Wyoming Community College (Western) in Rock Springs. The event is free to attend and will be livestreamed. The public is invited to cheer on the finalists.

The Sweetwater County Start-Up Challenge is a competition for local entrepreneurs that provides valuable mentorship from IMPACT 307, a startup business development program of the University of Wyoming, and local professionals. It is a collaboration between UW’s IMPACT 307 and Western. The startup challenge is made possible by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce and Rock Springs Main Street/Urban Renewal Agency (URA).

The second annual competition attracted 26 applicants. A dozen semifinalists were chosen to move on to the next stage of the competition. Semifinalists were chosen from an application process that uses the Lean Launchpad methodology, which requires companies to define a customer’s problem, propose a solution for that problem and discuss the ideal customer for their product or service.

Three semifinalists exited the competition before the final round.

To better prepare for the upcoming Pitch Night, the nine remaining semifinalists received mentorship from IMPACT 307 and had the opportunity to receive valuable information from local experts during the Business Bootcamp, hosted by Western’s Enrich Wyoming community education program.

Legal presenters were attorneys Clark Stith and Jason Aldred. Jennifer Cuthbertson, a CPA, covered accounting topics. Banking information was presented by Ozzie Hay, vice president of RSNB Bank; Cody Bateman, CEO of State Bank; and Tiffany Kindel, vice president of Commerce Bank. Kiaya Leo, of Springboard Platforms, and Jessica Evans, of Royal Flush Advertising, discussed marketing practices.

Other presenters included Katie Mullen and Gregory Madic, workforce specialists from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services; Kiley Ingersoll, southwest regional director for the Wyoming Business Council; Rick Lee, CEO of the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce; Lisa Herrera, CEO of the Green River Chamber of Commerce; Chad Banks, manager of the Rock Springs Main Street/URA; Derrek Jerred, senior director of IMPACT 307; Monica Patten, assistant director of IMPACT 307; and Laurie Carollo, entrepreneur outreach assistant at Western.

The nine semifinalists pitched their startup businesses to local judges Oct. 18. The judges were Phil Stanton, general manager of Industrial Services Inc.; Lee; Ryan Brandt, branch manager for State Bank; and Taylor Siemers, loan officer for State Bank.

The six companies selected as finalists are:

-- Apilloz, founded by Aaron Lobo, is an adjustable, support, pain and pressure relief pillow. For more information, go to www.apilloz.com, or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

-- Remi’s Clubhouse, founded by Debbie Stainbrook, is “a tail waggin’ good doggy day care.” The business offers inside and outside playtime and rest time for dogs when their owners are away. For more information, go to https://crm.pawfinity.com/remis-clubhouse, or follow the company on Facebook.

-- Mr. Joe’s Hot Sauce, founded by Jean Joseph, is a Caribbean-style hot sauce that brings a balance of heat and flavor. For more information, go to www.mrjoehotsauce.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

-- Black Gold Jelly Co., founded by Jenefer Tynsky, uses locally sourced fruits and vegetables to create healthy syrups and sauces that can be used in baking, slow cooking, smoking, barbecuing or as a salad dressing. For more information, go to www.blackgoldjellycompany.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.

-- Gainesha, founded by Levi Abrahamson, connects landowners with potential short-term renters, maximizing earning potential and increasing public access to private lands.

-- Purely Persistent, founded by Michelle Schutten, is an online resource providing academic lessons, life skills and motivation for students preparing for high school equivalency tests. For more information, go to https://purelypersistent.gumroad.com, or follow the company on YouTube and Instagram.

Seed funding was made possible by UW’s Research and Economic Development Division, RSNB Bank, Dominion Energy, Industrial Services Inc., State Bank, Simplot, William H. Smith and Associates, Commerce Bank, All West Communications, First Bank, GRoWYO, and Copier & Supply Co.

Additionally, the Rock Springs URA is collecting community donations for the seed fund at the following locations: Mack & Co., Wyoming Freight Company, Red White Buffalo, Daily Knead, Coal Train Coffee Depot and Sidekicks Book-Bar.

IMPACT 307 is a statewide network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyoming’s entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive.

For more information, call Patten at (307) 466-3963 or email monica.patten@uwyo.edu.