Public Event

$50,000. 8 Teams. 4 Finalists.

The John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge is a statewide, experiential learning event hosted annually by the University of Montana College of Business since 1989. The Business Startup Challenge is Montana's premiere opportunity for students attending any college or university across Montana to present exciting new businesses and/or social entrepreneurship venture ideas for adjudication. The Business Startup Challenge is run by the College of Business and the Blackstone LaunchPad at University of Montana. 

You are invited to attend the public, live pitch event!

Join us on Friday, April 15 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. for the John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge public event. 

To reserve a seat, RSVP on the Griz Hub event page. Admission is free and the live public final is open to the public. Doors open at 4 p.m. and light appetizers and drinks will be provided. The program will run from 5 - 7 p.m. in the ALi Auditorium in the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education on the campus of the University of Montana.