The University District

ANNOUNCING THE 2020 NORTHWEST ENTREPRENEUR COMPETITION WINNERS!

Friday, April 17, 2020

IT'S TIME TO HAND OUT THOSE BIG (VIRTUAL) CHECKS!


It's been a long journey to reach today- A record-breaking 100+ teams submitted to compete in this Spring in the 2020 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition, culminating today with 22 teams presenting for $42,000 in prize money and a chance to present to the Spokane Angel Alliance in front of active investors. 

While typically we'd be gathered today to watch the final presentations and gather in celebration, due to COVID-19, this year's finals culminated virtually across Zoom. Thank you to the sponsors, and judges who committed to this new format and allowed the 2020 NEC to continue. We couldn't have done it without your unwavering commitment to entrepreneurship in the region.

Finally, it goes without saying how proud the 2020 NEC managing team, advisory committee, sponsors, and judges are of all the student teams who overcame their own obstacles, sharpened their business skills, and presented today to our panels of judges and mentors. 

So without further ado, on behalf of North Idaho College, the Spokane University District, and all the advisors and sponsors involved in the 2020 NEC, we're pleased to announce this year's Northwest Entrepreneur Competition Winners! 


Thanks for a Great 2020 NEC! 

Ryan Arnold, Lars Gilberts, Sam Koester and the NEC Advisory Committee 

 

 

 

Avista Technology Category Winners
First Place ($10,000): Kadama (University of Washington)
Second Place ($3,000): Zephyr (Washington State University)
Third Place ($1,000): MAGNA HIP (Gonzaga University)

 

 

 

BECU Traditional Business Category Winners
First Place ($10,000): GreenSky (Washington State University)
Second Place ($3,000): Stripped Basics (University of Washington)
Third Place ($1,000): Perfect Plastic (Gonzaga University)

 

 

 

Perkins Coie Open Business Category Winners
First Place ($10,000): The 2050 Company LLC (University of Washington)
Second Place ($3,000): CatheterX (University of Idaho)
Third Place ($1,000): SENSOL Systems (University of Washington)

 

 

 

 

What's Next You Ask? 

The 2020 NEC is only part of the journey and resources available to student teams. The NEC managing team will not only be distributing awards over the next week to winning teams, but will be following up with student participants to make sure they received all their judges feedback as well as have the connections , mentors, and network they need to succeed. 

If you're a student team who has questions about this year's 2020 NEC, please send an email to Venture@NIC.EDU. 

If you are a mentor, organization, or potential sponsor interested in continuing to assist our student entrepreneurs,  please send an email to Venture@NIC.EDU to see how you can get involved. 

Thanks to all the stakeholders who make entrepreneurship in the INW great. See you next year for the 2021 Northwest Entrepreneur Competition! 

 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 NEC SPONSORS

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 NEC JUDGES

  • Mark Gustafson, Avista Corp
  • Megan Hulsey, Craft 3
  • Jackie Maker, Innovation Collective
  • Dan Roark, Gestalt Diagnostics
  • Rick Repp, Witherspoon-Kelly
  • Heidi Medford, WSU
  • Ben Doornick, Kootenai Health
  • Joel Nania, SBA - Regional Office
  • Tyler Lafferty, Seven2
  • Chip Overstreet, Spiceology
  • Brady Ryan, University of Washington
  • Mayor Steve Widmeyer, City of Coeur d'Alene
  • Jay Larson, Idaho Tech Council
  • Jackie Caro, Terrain
  • Alex Barrouk, ABCD
  • Lisa Burnett, P1FCU
  • Kelsey Heintz, P1FCU
  • Jon Thompson, Avista
  • Mark Fisher, Advanced Benefits
  • Kelly Dionne, Express Employment Professionals 
  • Jeff Conroy, Conroy Leadership Consulting 
  • Mark Olson, M+L Advisors
  • Linda Olson, M+L Advisors 
  • Josh Wise, CDA EDC Jobs Plus 
  • Wally Jacobson, Panhandle Area Council

 

THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE 2020 NEC ADVISORY BOARD

  • Ryan Arnold, North Idaho College
  • Sam Koester, North Idaho College
  • Cole Kelly, Gonzaga University
  • George Tanner, University of Idaho
  • Brady Ryan, University of Washington
  • Dr. Bruce Teague, Eastern Washington University
  • Steve Trabun, Avista Utilities
  • Charlie Wolff, SDS Realty & City of Spokane
  • Lars Gilberts, Spokane University District
  • Rocky Owens, Lewis Clark State College
  • Megan Hulsey, Craft3
  • Kelly Naumann, Startup Spokane
  • Cyndi Donahue, Ignite Northwest
  • Addie Grow, Whitworth University

 

Learn More About the Northwest Entrepreneur Competition

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