The eighth Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge, a statewide university competition, helps students start enterprises.
Friday at Boise State University, the 12 finalists pitched their startup company ideas to a panel of judges for $50,000 in initial capital.
Boise State Venture College sponsors the competition. This year, 51 teams from seven institutions participated in accessories, manufactured products, service/consumer goods, and technology/medicine.
The Boise State College of Innovation and Design’s Venture College. Venture College Director Cara Van Sant said they help student entrepreneurs start businesses outside of school.
“Idea creation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are incredibly essential to kids across the state,” Van Sant added. “Show them what they can do and give back to the community.”
Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge finalist student businesses:
UI Sawtooth Sweet Shoppe
Sawtooth Sweet Store freeze-dries sweets for candy lovers.
We placed typical candy in our freeze-drier and can run all of our candies in two hours. “Then it gently warms them, and the water in the candy evaporates and they become crunchy,” explained Sawtooth Sweet Shoppe owner Kalyssa. “All of these sweets are the crunchy form of what you would ordinarily expect, like a taffy or a Skittle.”
ISU Vision
Vision cleans and sanitizes contacts. After a class contact died, José invented Vision.
“It will use UV light to disinfect your contact lenses straight away in around five minutes by removing germs and protein accumulation,” José stated. After a month, protein accumulation causes foggy. Our UV light will clean your contacts.”
JETPAKK is a backpack with adjustable straps for personalization.
“One backpack lasts a lifetime. “You may replace your straps every day,” explained JETPAKK creator Jaxon. “Choose colors and styles to complement your clothing or personality.”
BYU-Idaho After Hours
BYU Idaho students may enjoy wings and non-alcoholic drinks during After Hours. After noting a paucity of wings in Rexburg, Joseph and Mimi thought of a class project.
“People still want the fun, environment, and mellow attitude that comes with a bar,” Joseph added. “We’ll offer all the same items, the exact same ambiance, everything that comes with it—but without the alcohol—so we can just grab a decent snack after studying for 12 hours a day.”
StrapWell—Idaho University
To assist construction and building supply firms carry products that can’t be carried with larger freight, StrapWell straps and cinches to any tie-down.
“Our bag addresses that problem, where you can strap down a whole load of timber, and then put this bag to the top of that and tie down,” StrapWell creator Sam stated. “It drives securely and you can put everything in.”
BSU Aquafur
Whitewater kayakers, rafters, fishermen, and paddleboarders utilize Aquafur dry suits.
“You put it on, zip it up, it keeps 100% dry when you get in the river,” explained Aquafur inventor Brayden. “You may wear a tuxedo or any outfit and keep dry.”
ISU Silver Shield
Silver Shield gloves protect hairstylists and animal groomers against hair splinters.
“In the sector, hair splinters, which are hair splinters that become lodged in the hands, are prone to infection and cause many medical complications. “The market doesn’t have anything to handle it,” said Silver Shield co-founder Ray. Our product is a tool-handling glove. Breathable, quick-drying gloves. The glove is designed to minimize hair splinters.”
BSU Breathe Easy Navigation
Respiratory therapist and cardiopulmonary manager Breathe Easy Navigation helps respiratory patients.
“I’m looking to extend out and be a subcontractor to the hospitals, and offer a service to be able to educate the population on any respiratory ailment diagnosis that they could have,” Jackie, creator of Breathe Easy Navigation, said. “So, we’re maybe working with the hospitals’ pulmonary physicians and trying to go out and navigate the patients from suspected pulmonary diagnosis to being able to treat them, educate them on whatever drugs they might require.” Helping them find a sleep lab for a sleep study or a pulmonary function test. And helping them take control of their heath.”
UI’s Willow’s Playground
Willow’s Playground is a virtual reality game that helps autistic children communicate.
“Willow’s Playground is an open-world VR application that allows the user to approach and chat as freely as they want to take things at their own speed and learn the things they want,” said Jacob, the game’s inventor.
Because many children with autism are shy and don’t want to communicate, studies have shown that it’s one of the greatest strategies to promote engagement. This helps them safely emerge from their shell.”
Glass – BSU
On Glass is a cell phone adaptor that connects to optical devices instantly.
On Glass lets you link your phone to a spotting scope or binoculars. “What’s distinctive about our product is that it doesn’t require a specialized case, you can use whatever case you currently have, and you can just attach it simply to your optic,” said Zach, On Glass’s inventor. “You can use your phone to snap high-quality photos from afar.”
Zach received more than $10,000 and a ticket to pitch his firm at Boise Entrepreneur Week when On Glass won the final pitch competition.
Zach remarked, “This money will significantly help me boost my marketing and manufacturing.” “I aim to release this product and produce others afterward.”
