Lassonde launches Entrepreneur Challenge

The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute of the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah has opened registration for the 2018-19 Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. The statewide business competition is open to university students in Utah. Teams compete for $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, including a $40,000 grand prize. The registration deadline is Feb. 14.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

The competition is cosponsored by Zions Bank.

“The Utah Entrepreneur Challenge encourages competitors to think critically and take a real-world approach through the competition,” said Dakota Rose, the student associate of marketing for the competition. The student competition chair, Parker Andriese, added, “The skills to be a successful competitor will not only enhance students’ future educational paths, but may stem into a career.”

With equity-free funding from Zions Bank, support from local businesses and an expanded professional network, the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge helps students launch their startup ideas, the Lassonde Institute said in a release.

Last year’s $40,000 grand-prize winner, Portal, is developing a product that assists wheelchair users in opening doors. The device is attached to an existing automatic door, and when a user who has downloaded the accompanying app comes within 5 feet of the door, it opens automatically. Other past winners have gone on to raise millions of dollars in funding and expand worldwide.

To participate, students can visit the event website https://lassonde.utah.edu/uec to download the competition packet and apply online. {/mprestriction}