A Virtual Experience
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all Entrepreneurial Challenge events will be hosted via Zoom.
2021 Entrepreneurial Challenge Winners Announced
Entrepreneurial Challenge
The Entrepreneurial Challenge is an annual startup venture competition hosted by the Monfort College of Business for the enrichment of student experiential learning at the University of Northern Colorado.
We are dedicated to providing the essential education, network and opportunities our students and Colorado entrepreneurs need in order to succeed in today’s ever-evolving world. Whether you are an aspiring Colorado-based entrepreneur, UNC student or faculty, or simply want to help our program grow, there are countless opportunities for you to get involved with the Entrepreneurial Challenge!
Educational Experiences
The Entrepreneurial Challenge offers educational experiences apart from our pitch competition!
With events like Cindy Scalicky’s Perfect Pitch seminar, which acts as a preparation
course for participants to hone their pitching skills before they have the chance
to truly present their ideas, to the interactive professional panel, which features
business men and women currently active in the workforce as well as Monfort College
of Business faculty. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions for
our panelists and featured guests about their professional experiences as well as
specific topics correlated to the success of your entrepreneurial endeavors, as there
will be plenty of opportunities for engagement via open discussions.
"The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well at the University of Northern Colorado and in the Monfort College of Business! There is so much excitement and enthusiasm around the Entrepreneurial Challenge. I strongly encourage current and aspiring entrepreneurs to participate in an event that will most certainly advance their ventures."
– Dr. Sher Gibbs, Dean, Monfort College of Business
It all starts with an idea and an opportunity
Open and Greeley Divisions
Are you a Colorado-based entrepreneur with a pre-launch or early-stage startup? If so, our Open Division is here to help lift your project off the ground!
Collegiate Division
Are you a student of the University of Northern Colorado or attend a community college in Colorado? If so, our Collegiate Division was built to facilitate your education!
Want to watch?
The 2021 Entrepreneurial Challenge Pitch Competition offically concluded Feb. 24. If you're interested in watching previous Semifinal and Final pitches, visit the Open and Collegiate Division webpages above.
2021 Entrepreneurial Challenge Winners Announced
Open Division
1. TissueForm - $20,000
2. New Direction Packaging - $15,000
3. DiningTek - $7,000
4. MagnaShox - $3,000
Collegiate Division
1. My Peace - $2,500
2. Sit Rep - $1,500
3. Hawk Financial - $1,000
We want to give a special thank you to all of the entrepreuers who participated in the 2021 Entrepreneurial Challenge, our wonderful panel of judges, the supporting Monfort College of Business faculty, and of course our committee of student managers who work hard to put this event together every year.
Hear It From Us
“My experience with the Entrepreneurship Challenge was eye-opening. Competing last year was an insightful opportunity to practice pitching a business plan. I was able to refine my business strategies based on the feedback I received from the judges and create a tangible plan for executing my ideas. I also gained confidence in presenting to what could potentially be investors for my start-up in the future.”
– Emmy Scott, University of Northern Colorado Student
"The Monfort Entrepreneurial Challenge was an incredible event that helped validate my business model, Laborjack. Blake (my founder) and I participated in the event in 2019, and have since grown our business at a rapid pace we never thought was possible. Thank you to everyone involved and I highly recommend any aspiring entrepreneurs to validate their concept at the Monfort Entrepreneurial Challenge."
– Josh Moser, Cofounder at Laborjack LLC
“The Entrepreneurial Challenge has served me in countless ways. I get to build deep, meaningful connections with fellow students, work with MCB faculty and staff outside of the classroom, and network with business professionals in every industry across Colorado. I like to think of the Entrepreneurial Challenge as off-season conditioning before I graduate and enter the workforce. Here, I get to take the concepts and techniques I learn in class and immediately put them to practice in a real world environment."
– Halaki Gionet, Entrepreneurial Challenge Student Manager
Meet Our Team
Our student committee receives an equally valuable educational experience behind the scenes of the Entrepreneurial Challenge. Between collaborating in a team environment, coordinating our events, marketing, and being the point of contact for partners and sponsors, we have plenty of work to do and little time.
Entrepreneurial Challenge 2021 Sponsors
Direct business inquiries to monfort.echallenge@unco.edu.
