UW’s IMPACT 307 Announces Fremont County Start-Up Challenge Winners

Three businesses were named winners at the Fremont County Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night, which took place April 9 at Central Wyoming College's (CWC) Health and Science Building in Riverton.

The Fremont County Start-Up Challenge was a collaboration among the University of Wyoming's IMPACT 307 program, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and CWC. IMPACT 307 is a not-for-profit business incubator system that provides startup and early-stage companies with the expertise, networks and tools necessary for the development of successful businesses. UW's Research and Economic Development Division administers it.

The judges originally selected five finalists after hearing presentations about their business ideas from a pool of more than 40 applicants.

"We had a great audience that saw well-prepared pitch presentations from all five finalists. Along with IMPACT 307's mentoring, the winners will use the vast resources available locally and statewide to grow their businesses in the coming years," says Brian Young, IMPACT 307 assistant director for Fremont County. "I look forward to working with these startup founders as we determine funding requests from the largest seed fund the competition has seen to date."

The finalists outlined their business ideas to the local judging panel and live audience for the opportunity to receive free seed funding and other professional resources to help them continue to develop their business ideas and plans.

The winners selected were:

-- Burley Boy's Rustic Furniture, founded by Jim LaVine, is a producer of gun safes concealed in high-end rustic furniture. Target markets include higher-wealth individuals who would like hidden compartments for easy access to firearms.

-- Queens of Goodness, founded by Susan Frost, provides locally produced honey that has nutritional elements added. The target market is online customers, coffee shops and retail locations.

-- Yellowstone Spice Co., founded by Scout Fauth, is an existing and successful local company that has seen rapid growth of its existing products. In business for less than two years, the company plans to introduce an innovative hot sauce product aligned with its existing target market.

Additionally, Dinwoody Geospatial & Services LLC, founded by Brian Linton, received the Audience Choice Award, which is a cash prize. Dinwoody is an aerial imaging company with a focus on providing services to municipal governments and farmers. It will have a nationally focused geographic information system consulting component as well.

The other finalist was Grizzly Lures, founded by Genivee LeClair. The business has been serving customers for a couple of years with its unique fishing lures. It looks to expand through its patent-pending ice fishing pole holder concept.

For more information, call Young at (720) 365-6694 or email [email protected].

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