UNC business school names 5 finalists for $50K Entrepreneurial Challenge

GREELEY – The University of Northern Colorado’s Monfort College of Business has named the five finalists that will compete for $50,000 in cash in its Entrepreneurial Challenge.

Now in its sixth year, the UNC Entrepreneurial Challenge finals will be held April 12 and broadcast on KTVD Channel 20. Entrepreneurs will pitch to a panel of judges in a “Shark Tank” format, with KUSA business reporter Gregg Moss hosting.

Eighteen semifinalists presented their startups at UNC over the weekend, with judges picking the top five to move on.

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The winning startup will receive $25,000, with $15,000 awarded for second place and $10,000 for third. The winners will also receive incubator services from the UNC BizHub Collaborative.

The five finalists moving on include:

Change Composites: The Longmont company has developed a new bike helmet with a composite outer shell that helps reduce the chances of traumatic brain injury by responding to the force applied to the user’s head.

Gamecentrics: The Fort Collins company makes software that incorporates elements from popular games into daily workflow, integrating a company’s data stream that represents production and creating player vs. player, team vs. team and company vs. environment achievements.

Lucan Technologies: The Greeley company makes a two-touchscreen Android smart watch that includes an MP3 player, FM radio, calendar and other digital assistant functions.

QB Labs: The Parker company makes a wearable device called MovementTek that empowers physicians, trainers and physical therapists to quantify and streamline client progress for better movement analysis and improved treatment outcomes.

VisePower.com: The Greeley company makes a device that helps athletes properly tighten their weight belts when performing heavy lifts.

In addition to the Entrepreneurial Challenge this year, a high school challenge was added to the semifinal event over the weekend. Platte Valley High School sophomore McKenzie Schneider won first place and a $4,000 scholarship for her business that provides services to dog trainers, hunters, landowners and ranchers.