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John Ruffatto Startup Challenge

2019 Prize Winners

The University of Montana College of Business and Blackstone LaunchPad, along with our generous sponsors, make it possible to offer substantial prize money to many of the Business Startup Challenge competitors. The teams awarded and amounts of awards and prizes are listed below:

  • First Place - The Ant Network - $15,000 
 

  • Second Place - May West Milkweed - $7,500

 

  • Third Place - Kubed - $5,000

 

  • Fourth Place - Sellout Inc. - $2,500

 

  • People's Choice Award - May West Milkweed - $3,500

 

  • Best Elevator Pitch - May West Milkweed - $3,500

 

  • Brandon Speth Award for Passion, Poise and Charisma - Miles Maxcer of The Ant Network - $1,000 

 

  • Athena Award - Kubed - $1,000

 

  • Intent to Launch - The Ant Network - $1,000

 

  • Manufactured Product Award - May West Milkweed - $1,000

 
  • Most Innovative - Serapis Systems Inc. - $1,500

2018 Prize Winners

The University of Montana College of Business and Blackstone LaunchPad, along with our generous sponsors, make it possible to offer substantial prize money to many of the Business Startup Challenge competitors. The teams awarded and amounts of awards and prizes are listed below:

  • First place - Story Squares - $15,000. 

  • Second Place - Morphose Exercise Systems - $7,500.

  • Third Place - Two-way tie between Ice Viper Hockey and Wage Sheets - $3,750 each.

  • Elevator Pitch Prize - Games Ink - $3,500.

  • People’s Choice Prize - Story Squares - $3,500.

  • Athena Prize - Story Squares - $3,000.

  • Brandon Speth Award for Passion, Poise and Charisma - Freats - $1,000.

  • Intent to Launch - Vaytricks - $1,000.

  • Manufactured Product Award - Ice Viper Hockey - $1,000.