UW’s Casper Start-Up Challenge Announces Finalists

The Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC), a business development program of the University of Wyoming with business incubators in Laramie, Casper and Sheridan, will continue to build upon the successes of its Casper Start-Up Challenge with a third year of the competition and another $50,000 fund to seed Casper startup businesses.

“Every year, the applicants to the Start-Up Challenge get better and better,” says Jerad Stack, WTBC-Casper director. “Just narrowing down to our 11 semifinalists was difficult, and we are really excited to introduce the community to our five finalists.”

The businesses and entrepreneurs named finalists for the 2019 Casper Start-Up Challenge are:

-- On The Spot, Michael Harshman.

-- Symmetry Trailers, Adam Pauli.

-- Piggyback Cocktail, Amber and Chad Pollock.

-- NevRA, Austin Griess.

-- Rieker Designs; Marcus Rieker, Clayton Alleman and Mason Johnson.

“The energy, passion and commitment demonstrated by all the semifinalists was infectious. Casper clearly has the entrepreneurial spirit, ideas and motivation to diversify the local economy if given the chance,” says Justin Farley, CEO of the Casper Area Economic Development Alliance (CAEDA)/Forward Casper, who served as one of the judges for the Start-Up Challenge.

The five finalists will work with WTBC staff and mentors from the community to develop their businesses over the next two months, culminating in a final pitch scheduled Nov. 7 at The Lyric. 

Three winners will be selected by a panel of judges. Each winning business will receive $5,000; one year of free rent at the WTBC; and be eligible to apply to the $50,000 seed fund. Pitch Day is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come and support these entrepreneurs.  

Administered by UW’s Office of Research and Economic Development, the WTBC is a not-for-profit business incubator that provides entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for success.

The Casper Start-Up Challenge is made possible through sponsorships from CAEDA/Forward Casper, Hilltop National Bank, Oil City News, First Interstate Bank and WIDC Frontier CDC.

For more information about the Casper Start-Up Challenge, call Stack at (307) 315-6401 or email jstack@uwyo.edu.