University of Wyoming Resources & Programs
The mission of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) is to coordinate, collaborate, promote, and strengthen the entrepreneurship mindset.
At CEI, we’re here to help. Whether you're a student, faculty member, or entrepreneur, our goal is to support you in turning ideas into real-world impact.
We also host regular speakers and workshops on startup development, innovation, and entrepreneurial leadership. And if your project involves multiple UW departments, we’re happy to help facilitate collaboration across colleges.
Whether you’re refining an idea or launching a venture, CEI is your partner in the journey.
The John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition at the University of Wyoming encourages students across Wyoming to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Open to all UW and community college students, the competition awards cash prizes to top ventures with strong business potential. Participants gain access to business consulting, mentorship from C-level executives, financial guidance, and a network of investors and partners. Multi-disciplinary teams are encouraged, fostering diverse skill sets essential for success.
The Great Plains I‑Corps Hub helps UW researchers and innovators turn ideas into real-world impact through a free, five‑week entrepreneurial training program focused on customer discovery and commercialization. Participants commit 8–10 hours per week, work in 3‑person teams, and can receive up to $2,500 to advance their market research. Benefits include market insight, mentorship, and potential eligibility for the NSF National I‑Corps Team program and its $50,000 grant.
The Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) helps transform Wyoming's research and entrepreneurial
talent into funded innovations and thriving companies.
As part of the University of Wyoming's support for small business innovation, WSSI
equips entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources, and mentoring needed to compete
for federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) funding to turn bold ideas into successful ventures.
The Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) is a partnership between the University of
Wyoming and the Wyoming Business Council and part of the Wyoming SBDC Network.
NSF created the ART Ambassador program to build a nationwide network students, faculty, and staff who will be the agents of change within their institutions. ART Ambassadors will participate in both national and regional programs focused on building skills and capacity to translate research into real-world solutions that improve our world.
By bringing together a diverse community of professionals, we provide entrepreneurs
access to venture guidance across various industries and expertise within the UW community
and throughout the state of Wyoming.
Based on the successful model used by the renowned Venture Mentoring Service
(VMS) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, our mentors are members
of a distinguished network of expert professionals who share the goal of strengthening
Wyoming’s startup culture.
Innovation Week brings together researchers, entrepreneurs, students, and thought leaders to explore the future of innovation at UW. From lab tours and expert talks to student showcases and networking events, there’s something for everyone.
The University of Wyoming and Wyoming’s community colleges provide many opportunities for undergrads to participate in independent research projects across multiple disciplines such as agriculture, business, education, engineering, health sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematical sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities. Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Across the Disciplines event recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of these student researchers.
University of Wyoming Partners
The Wyoming SBDC Network provides no-cost, confidential advising, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs and small businesses across Wyoming start, grow, and succeed. Supported by a partnership with the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council, and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the SBDC offers expert guidance on business planning, financing, marketing, and more, serving clients in every county statewide.
Manufacturing Works is a non-profit technical consultancy and the designated Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center for the state of Wyoming. MW provides small-to-medium-sized manufacturers with technical assistance, engineering services, and business consulting to improve productivity and global competitiveness.
The University of Wyoming's technology transfer team helps university innovators achieve social impact. We work with industry, government, and nonprofit organizations to translate university innovations in useful programs, tools, inventions, products, and services that help build social and economic prosperity in Wyoming and beyond.
The technology transfer team reviews innovation disclosures, conducts impact assessments, engages in protection and management of UW intellectual property, and charts the path towards economic and social impact.
The Office of Industry and Strategic Partnerships connects industry to UW to create meaningful partnerships. These partnerships are opportunities for industry and strategic partners to create mutually beneficial relationships through research, education, and outreach.
The University of Wyoming Research and Economic Development Division (REDD) advances research, service and innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration. By supporting faculty and student research, REDD drives economic growth and positions UW as a center of research excellence and real-world impact.
The Wyoming APEX Accelerator is a program that
provides no cost government contracting advising to Wyoming businesses. It assists Wyoming firms in identifying and securing federal, state, and local government contracting opportunities. The program offers one-on-one assistance, periodic training workshops, and an annual procurement conference with matchmaking opportunities.
Supporting the Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Industries in Wyoming through research, workforce development, and statewide engagement.
The mission of Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute is to expand, and diversify Wyoming’s economy by supporting the outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.
The University of Wyoming College of Business has a robust entrepreneurship program that includes courses offered to all UW students, including a minor and a focused area in entrepreneurship. In addition to courses offered, we host an annual entrepreneurship summit each year alongside an entrepreneurship competition with cash prizes totaling $50,000. Our goal through this program is to activate as many young entrepreneurs as possible through education about best practices, resources provided to help them succeed, and mentorship to show them what is possible.
Regional Partners
gBETA Wyoming is an accelerator for early-stage companies with local roots in Wyoming. gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the free seven-week program.
gBETA's goal is that graduates will go on to participate in an investment accelerator or raise a seed round.
The NSF Advanced Sensing and Computation for Environmental Decision-making (ASCEND) Engine in Colorado and Wyoming is a place-based innovation ecosystem designed to transform cutting-edge research in advanced sensing and computation into economic and societal impact. With Colorado and Wyoming facing increasing challenges — including wildfires, water scarcity, soil degradation and extreme weather events — this region serves as a strategic testbed for high-impact, technology-driven adaptation strategies. By harnessing advanced sensing, AI-driven analytics, and data-informed decision-making, the NSF ASCEND Engine accelerates the development of scalable resilience solutions.
Accelerating science and technology startups.
Advancing regional ecosystems by scaling science and technology commercialization
through strategic partnerships.
Empowering tech founders to launch groundbreaking ventures Innosphere delivers local and global impact through the commercialization of science and technology driven innovations.
Silicon Couloir empowers entrepreneurs through access to education, mentorship, expert coaching, and a strong network of support. This thriving ecosystem fuels innovation, fosters sustainable growth, and strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of the Teton region and beyond.
Wyoming's Voice of Business. We Exist to Create the Environment for Businesses to Prosper
Since 1979, we have been the premier statewide membership-driven partnership of businesses, industries trade associations, and nonprofits in Wyoming.
The Wyoming Business Council is the State of Wyoming’s economic development agency, focused on growing and diversifying the state’s economy. It supports businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities through funding programs, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships to create jobs and expand economic opportunity across Wyoming.
