Student Entrepreneurs Compete to Win Cash for New Businesses
Published: February 24, 2023 | Author: Hayley Radle | Read Time: 1 minutes
Aspiring student entrepreneurs pitched their current and potential businesses on February 8 at this year’s Opportunity Quest, a similar event to the State Bank Business Challenge meant for Southern Utah University students. Hoping to win cash prizes and mentorships to develop their companies, they presented their ideas to a panel of judges comprising past Opportunity Quest winners, SUU’s Miller Center for Entrepreneurship donors, and members of SUU’s Entrepreneur Leadership Council.
Participants provided a short presentation three different times in front of new judges, followed by a question and answer segment. Multiple awards were given to students, which included a first place and an Outstanding Pitch winner, several second and third place awards, honorable mentions, and a Kahlert Bootstrapper Award. Below are this year’s winners and their businesses.
First place and Outstanding Pitch
- Chantel Clark - CKC Training
Second place
- Jett Strand - Etched Timber
- Janson Port - Portable Detail
- Baylee Wiener - Murals by Baylee
Third place
- Porter Wilkes and Payton Riggs - Sunsets Marketing
- Spencer Huff and Ryan Freeman - Celestial Bags
Kahlert Bootstrapper Award
- Carter Filion - The C3RW Museum
Honorable mentions
- Carson Blickenstaff and Nathan Riser - Crates Media
- Bridger and Sawyer James - Leaf & Lemon
- Allie Quarnberg and Franka Smit - The Bar
- Devin Cordova - Toes on Ten
- Mickelle Filion - Red Rock ReUpholstery
As part of the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, a competition for university student entrepreneurs in the state, SUU’s Opportunity Quest is made possible by thousands of dollars generously donated from Zions Bank and the Kahlert Foundation. These donations aid in propelling the winners’ businesses forward, whether continuing what they’ve started or getting them past the idea stage into execution.
Southern Utah University's Miller Center for Entrepreneurship benefits students across all majors by providing opportunities to start, run, and exit businesses through experiential learning and mentorship.
Tags: Entrepreneurship School of Business