Registration Underway for Casper Start

IMPACT Casper, a business development program of the University of Wyoming’s Business Resource Network, is moving forward with a fifth year of the Casper Start-Up Challenge and another $50,000 seed fund.

“We are excited about the possibilities of 2021, working with new companies and really helping make a difference in Casper,” says Eric Schlidt, director of IMPACT Casper. “We have had the startups in our program make tremendous progress during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are ready to help other entrepreneurs in their businesses. We are interested in building companies that have the potential to create jobs located in Casper.”

IMPACT Casper is part of IMPACT 307, which has physical incubators in Laramie, Sheridan and Casper but maintains a statewide presence. IMPACT 307 underwent a rebranding from the Wyoming Technology Business Center in June. The IMPACT 307 team administers and assists with multiple other startup challenges throughout the state.

“We know the people of Casper are extremely innovative and persistent, which are some of the qualities needed for a startup,” Schlidt says. “However, we work with companies that are in a very basic idea stage as well as full production.”

IMPACT Casper is interested in helping companies that help bring new opportunities and fill the gaps that people see. There is no requirement for how early a company is in business development, even if it is just an idea.

Registration for the 2021 Casper Start-Up Challenge is now open and closes Jan. 26. The link to register and additional information may be found at mpact307.org. Sponsors include Advance Casper, First Interstate Bank, Hilltop Bank, Oil City News and WIDC Frontier CDC.

For more information on the Casper Start-Up Challenge, call Schlidt at (307) 315-6401 or email eschlid1@uwyo.edu.