Six of the 10 University of Idaho student teams that pitched business proposals during the online Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge won a total of $31,000 in cash prizes.

Students demonstrated prototypes and technologies in education, agriculture, construction, sports and recreation and environmental and social ventures during the event hosted by Boise State University on April 2.

“Startup competitions are always challenging, but this one is against all the other colleges in Idaho, making it even more competitive,”said George Tanner, director of U of I's Idaho Entrepreneurs.“ But our students work hard, research markets, test business models and develop winning pitches and successful business ideas.”

Team HONU, which developed a water circulation unit that eliminates algae, bad odors and insect breeding, won first place and $7,000 in the Social and Environmental category and the $7,000 Trolley Investment Group Award.

“Fourteen thousand dollars will have a huge impact on moving our product forward,” said Team HONU’s Cole Alteneder, a junior from Newberg, Oregon, studying business marketing. "We’re passionate about our startup. We brought that passion to IEC and were rewarded with seed capital for HONU.”

Alteneder teamed up with Idaho Falls’ Landon Lively, also of the College of Business and Economics (CBE), on the project.

Other honorees

Other U of I proposals that placed include:

In nine years, Idaho Entrepreneur student teams have won $1 million in seed capital at entrepreneur competitions, using their earnings to launch new companies.

“Idaho entrepreneurs use these challenges as a springboard to spin out real ideas and new business opportunities,” Tanner said.“ This year’s teams are competing in virtual competitions across the country. While virtual pitches are limiting, U of I’s strong showing at IEC proves that despite a curveball, Vandals adapt and our entrepreneurs are always ready to pitch.”

U of I’s Idaho Pitch competition is Friday, April 30. More than 40 Vandal Startup teams will pitch ideas to a panel of virtual judges.

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