The top 20 teams in the 2021 Utah Entrepreneur Challenge were announced today. The student startup teams advance to the final round of this statewide business-model competition that is open to all college students in Utah. Teams are competing for $60,000 in cash and prizes, including a $20,000 grand prize. The winners will be announced online on March 27, 2021, following the final event competition.
The competition is managed by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, a top-10 ranked division of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, and sponsored by Zions Bank.
The top 20 teams are competing with ideas ranging from subscription-based products to medical technologies, rental equipment, and more. (Find a complete list of the finalists with descriptions of their ideas below.)
The next step is online video voting, which is open to the public March 15-26. Vote online here.
“We are delighted to announce the top 20 teams for the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge,” said Suraj Ramkumar, the student co-chair of competition. “It is exciting to see teams from all over the state present their unique and innovative ideas. I am looking forward to seeing these top 20 teams pitch at the final event on March 27.”
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute also hosts a high school version of this competition called the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. Those teams are competing for $25,000 in cash and scholarships. Learn about that competition at lassonde.utah.edu/hsuec.
Learn more about the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge at lassonde.utah.edu/uec.
Top 20 Teams 2021
Here are the top 20 teams in the 2021 Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. These teams will advance to the final judging, showcase and awards event. They are listed in alphabetical order:
- BidMyCrib (UofU): An online classifieds marketplace that helps students and young professionals sell their housing contracts.
- Clean Seat (UofU): A toilet seat that prevents messes caused by common negligence and is convenient for all users.
- Denali Energy (Weber): A company focused on providing diversified electrical services to residential and commercial areas.
- Fill Drinks (Dixie): A subscription drink service offering affordable 24/7 access to a variety of soft drinks.
- Gaia Technologies (UofU): A prosthetic hand designed to put the needs of amputees first.
- Hops and Hounds (USU): A 21-and-over indoor dog park and daycare that caters to both dogs and humans.
- Judgement Day (SLCC): A card game aiming at creating parody headlines in a world where news headlines can sometimes feel like a sick joke.
- Khalm Skincare (UofU): Khalm Skincare is a multi-beneficial natural, non-toxic, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free luxury skincare line.
- KoBuss (UofU): A Northern Utah-based mechanical keyboard and accessories company aimed to provide education and products to the community.
- Komyt.io (USU): A cloud-based video review and collaboration platform for artists in the film industry.
- The Mobile Moon Co-op (Westminster): A female and queer collective that strives to aid communities and ecosystems through education, empowerment, and botanical stewardship.
- Morr Decor (SUU): A company creating custom plastic stencils that cater to customers from all backgrounds.
- Powder Soles (USU): A community-based winter sports brand of snow enthusiasts who develop solutions for others to experience true freedom on the mountain.
- RF Rentals (UVU): A rental platform providing marine products at an affordable price for consumers.
- Skapa (BYU): A company creating products to aid ASD children to follow a consistent sleep routine.
- SkiSafe (UofU): A ski rack controlled by your smartphone that allows customers to enjoy their time without worrying about theft, or losing equipment.
- Speech Cloud (UofU): A B2B software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that helps institutions make their lessons online, engaging, and accessible for anyone, anywhere.
- StoryTeller (BYU): An up-and-coming online bookstore and social site designed to make the process of finding and buying books easier for casual book fans and diehard book lovers.
- Tango Brush (Snow): A subscription-based product including new brushes, shampoo and conditioner designed to reduce waste in bathroom products.
- uAir (UofU): An innovative new inhaler that addresses the patient’s need for portability and the physician’s need for accessibility.
2020-2021 UEC Competition Timeline
- Application Opens: Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at noon
- Application Deadline: Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at midnight
- Online Judging: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, to Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021
- Top 20 Announced: Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, at 9 a.m.
- Top 20 Orientation: Thursday, Mar. 4, 2021, at 5:30 p.m.
- Top 20 Video Submission Deadline: Friday, March 11, 2021, at 9 a.m.
- Top 20 Video Voting Begins: Monday, March 15, 2021, at 9 a.m.
- Top 20 Powerpoints Due: Friday, March 25, 2021, at midnight
- Video Voting Ends: Saturday, March 26, 2021, at midnight
- [Online] Competition Event: Saturday, March 27, 2021
About the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute
The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute is a nationally ranked hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Utah and an interdisciplinary division of the David Eccles School of Business. The first programs were offered in 2001, through the vision and support of Pierre Lassonde, an alumnus of the Eccles School and successful mining entrepreneur. The institute now provides opportunities for thousands of students to learn about entrepreneurship and innovation. Programs include workshops, networking events, business-plan competitions, startup support, innovation programs, graduate seminars, scholarships, community outreach and more. All programs are open to students from any academic major or background. The Lassonde Institute also manages Lassonde Studios, a five-story innovation space and housing facility for all students. Learn more at lassonde.utah.edu.
