UNC Monfort College of Business Entrepreneurial Challenge

Finalists announced in ninth annual UNC Monfort College of Business Entrepreneurial Challenge

Five finalists have been selected to compete in the finals of the tenth annual Monfort College of Business Entrepreneurial Challenge at the University of Northern Colorado. A panel of experts with diverse backgrounds and skills evaluated the competitor’s business plans and presentations. The judges identified the finalists based on their preparation and potential for success. In addition to receiving feedback from the judges on critical elements for entrepreneur success, competitors compete for a portion of $50,000 in prize money. All five companies will present their business plans to a panel of judges at the University Center on the University of Northern Colorado campus on April 3.

The competition was open to Colorado-based start-up ventures or businesses that have begun business development, market research and product development.

“Our judges were incredibly impressed with the semi-finalists this year. The five finalists have all presented business models that could ultimately change the face of their respective industry, or serve a niche that is not yet being met,” said Paul Bobrowski, dean of the Monfort College of Business.

The five finalists include:

Ageto Energy (Fort Collins, agetoenergy.com)

Ageto Energy simplifies the task of integrating renewable energy into power systems by reducing system complexity and enabling renewable energy to be integrated into power systems. Using the Ageto Renewable Controller (ARC), Ageto controls off-grid and behind-the-meter micro grid power systems.

Career Allies (Fort Collins, careeralliesinc.com)

Career Allies is an enterprise software solution that manages the parental leave process by partnering with companies to go beyond offering maternity and paternity leave. The platform uses a B2B SAS portal to help managers maximize retention and bolster their talent leadership pipeline.

simplyHR, LLC DBADefine the Line (Fort Collins, Definethelinecomic.com)

Define the Line is a comic book sexual harassment training tool that provides fresh, relevant and actionable training to combat and prevent sexual harassment in and out of the workplace. Define the Line empowers and equips women and men to take action and be the spark for real change.

Laborjack (Fort Collins, laborjack.com)

Laborjack is a technology-based labor service provider connecting college students to individuals or businesses who needs an extra set of hands for manual labor tasks. Laborjack uses a shared economy approach by providing the contracted labor and customers provide the supplies to complete the job.

Notty LLC DBA Notty Foods (Denver, nottyfoods.com)

Notty Foods manufactures and distributes chocolate products that can help people reduce their sugar consumption. The products are created from cocoa ingredients from sustainable small farms, protein from grass-fed cows and non-GMO erythritol from France.

The first-place winner will receive $25,000, second place $13,000, third place $7,000, and fourth and fifth places will receive $2,500 each. In addition to the prize money, winners will receive business incubator services from UNC BizHub, the business incubator at UNC.

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL CHALLENGE FINALS

April 3, 2019 | University Center

9:00	Introductions/Welcome
9:05	Ageto Energy with 15 minute Q&A to follow
9:35	Career Allies with 15 minute Q&A to follow
10:05	Define the Line with 15 minute Q&A to follow
10:35	Laborjack with 15 minute Q&A to follow
11:05	Notty Foods with 15 minute Q&A to follow
11:35	Judges Deliberation
11:40	Student Ambassador Presentation
11:50	Student Ambassador Presentation
12:00	Winners Announced/Photos/Interviews