Casper Start-Up Challenge Enters Final Countdown

IMPACT 307, a business development program of the University of Wyoming with business incubators in Laramie, Casper and Sheridan, looks to build upon previous successes with the Casper Start-Up Challenge’s sixth year entering the final week for applications.

“IMPACT Casper is excited about the companies we worked with this past year, and they are continuing to gain momentum,” says Eric Schlidt, director of IMPACT Casper. “There has never been a better time to start an innovative business, and we have seen the entrepreneurs come forward with some great ideas so far.”

Like the previous year’s challenge, the 2022 competition will have a $50,000 seed fund to help early-stage entrepreneurial companies launch. Winning companies also will receive office space in the IMPACT Casper facility for a year.

“In our experience assisting startups in Wyoming, oftentimes the first barrier entrepreneurs have to cross is a small amount of money to get them going,” Schlidt says. “Most of the time, this is between $20,000 to $25,000.” 

Registration for this year’s challenge will close at midnight Wednesday, Feb. 16.

Those selected as semifinalists will be notified Thursday and Friday, Feb. 17-18, and move forward with first-round interviews March 2. The judges then will narrow the field to five finalists who will work with IMPACT Casper team members on their final pitches. The final pitch competition, where the judges will select three winners, will take place April 19.

For more information on the Casper Start-Up Challenge, call (307) 315-6401 or email casper@uwyo.edu.