Missoula Economic Partnership

08/26/2026

There’s still time to RSVP! ⏰

Meet the panelists joining “AIFluency for Montana Business” on Tues., Sept. 1 at the University of Montana. Hear their perspectives on the AI tools they use daily, where AI rollouts can go wrong, and how businesses can save time and cut overhead costs. The panel is free and open to the public.

Save your spot: https://bit.ly/3TKy8Vi

- Chris DeWitt, Head of Engineering & Founding Partner at Stealth Talent Solutions, leads AI adoption and builds the software powering the company’s recruiting operations.

- Jacob N. Rebo, CEO & Founder of Cullis AI, brings extensive AI governance experience, including helping Nokia develop its enterprise AI governance framework.

- Ryan Morton, Founder & Principal Data Scientist at Morton Analytics, has 12 years of experience developing AI, geospatial, and data products for federal and enterprise clients, including the USDA.

- Kincaid Day, Senior Director of Strategic Programs APAC at EPAM Systems, leads global teams and multimillion-dollar partnerships focused on AI-driven transformation across industries.

- Cody Rose, Founder & CEO of AIFluency.ai, will moderate the engaging conversation.

08/26/2026

What turns an ordinary day at your business into a reason for people to stop by?

The next Downtown Dialogues will explore how events, pop-ups, collaborations and creative customer experiences can help businesses generate buzz, drive traffic and build stronger connections with customers.

Join us September 22 at the AC Hotel Downtown for a conversation with local business leaders Julie Clayton, Colin Hickey, Kia Liszak and Melissa Richardson. They’ll share their experiences creating memorable moments, what they’ve learned along the way and ideas other businesses can put to work.

Making Your Business Pop! Events, Pop-Ups & Experiences That Drive Traffic
September 22 | 4–6 p.m.
AC Hotel Downtown | 175 N. Pattee
RSVP Here: https://www.missouladowntown.com/event/downtown-dialogues-2/

Downtown Dialogues is co-hosted by the Downtown Missoula Partnership and Missoula Economic Partnership and sponsored by First Security Bank.

Join the conversation and connect with other members of Missoula’s business community.

08/18/2026

Montana’s tech ecosystem is growing, and the people helping shape what comes next will gather in Missoula this September.

The 2026 Headwaters Tech Hub Summit will bring together leaders from industry, higher education, economic development, nonprofits and government for three days focused on innovation, workforce development, entrepreneurship, research and technology-driven economic growth.

The Summit takes place September 9-11 at the University of Montana. It’s an opportunity to connect with people working across Montana’s technology ecosystem, learn more about the work underway and explore where that work is headed next.

Learn more and reserve your spot: https://www.headwaterstechhub.us/events/summit

The Headwaters Tech Hub Summit 2026 brings together leaders, builders, and partners from across Montana and beyond to focus on what it takes to strengthen our tech ecosystem for the long term. Rooted in place and driven by people, the Summit is a space to connect ideas to actions - aligning innovati...

07/28/2026

Every successful startup begins with an idea, but it's the support system around entrepreneurs that helps those ideas become thriving businesses.

It's exciting to see efforts like the VBX Entrepreneurship Workshop Series and the launch of CoBuild Montana creating new opportunities for innovators to collaborate, test ideas, and tackle some of Montana's biggest challenges through entrepreneurship.

From affordable housing to energy, these initiatives are helping build a stronger pipeline of businesses and problem-solvers that will benefit Missoula's economy for years to come.

Read more in the Missoulian article below:

Since early June, a group of 10 Missoula community members have met every Wednesday evening for the VBX Entrepreneurship Workshop Series.

06/18/2026

Join us this Thursday, June 18th, for our HVN monthly meet-up. Entrepreneurs, startups, small business owners and community members are welcome.

This months speaker is Alex Stokman, Founder Venery.
You can find us at Green Source from 5-6:30 PM.

See you there.

06/10/2026

Open house tonight!

A reminder that there will be an open house for the Reserve Street to Scott Master Plan tonight. Please see below for details.

This is an excellent opportunity to be involved in the early stages of a master plan that will impact the future of this part of Missoula.

We received some helpful feedback in the first round of engagement for the Reserve to Scott 2026 Master Plan.

We'll be sharing the Draft Master Plan based on that feedback tonight at an Open House at Child Start Inc., Head start (the old Whittier School) 1001 Worden Ave. from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Drop in any time. Childcare and a light meal will be provided.

📅Wednesday, June 10
⏰4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
📍Child Start Inc., Head Start 1001 Worden Ave.

05/14/2026

Montana companies exploring growth, commercialization, and emerging technology opportunities are invited to attend OnRamp Hub: Montana Industry Exchange on May 27 in Missoula.

This program is designed to connect businesses, researchers, manufacturers, startups, and ecosystem partners with Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana and provide practical insight into navigating defense innovation opportunities and engagement pathways.

Attendees will hear how commercial and dual-use technologies can align with national security needs, connect with regional partners, and learn more about available support and commercialization resources. Companies that complete pre-engagement steps may also have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with the OnRamp Hub: Montana team.

Date: May 27
Time: 8:15–11:00 AM
RSVP Here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019dd6420ba27a8581d21d04d81b598d

If your company is developing innovative products, technologies, or capabilities and looking to better understand future opportunities in this space, this is a valuable chance to connect and learn more.

05/12/2026

As customer behavior, technology, and markets continue to shift, businesses are being challenged to think beyond the limits of a physical storefront.

Join Missoula Economic Partnership and the Downtown Missoula Partnership on May 19 for the next Downtown Dialogues conversation: Scaling Beyond Your Storefront.

This discussion will explore how businesses can strengthen their digital presence, expand their reach, and build resilient brands while staying grounded in what makes them unique.

Hear directly from leaders at Bedrock Sandals and Confident Stitch as they share their experiences growing recognizable brands online, alongside insights from digital strategy experts Jill Alban and Matt Sanchez on e-commerce, SEO, branding, and long-term business adaptability.

MEP Business Development Director Christine Littig will emcee the conversation.

Tuesday, May 19
4–6 PM
Residence Inn
125 N. Pattee St.
Let us know you're coming! : https://www.missouladowntown.com/event/downtown-dialogues-future-proof/

Whether you’re actively scaling, refining your online strategy, or simply thinking ahead about the future of your business, this conversation will offer practical insight from people doing the work every day.

04/24/2026

What makes a business more than just a place to buy something?

This month, on MEP's KGVO segment Econ 101, Christine Littig will be joined by Chloe Russell and Markie Russell, co-owners of Funk It Coffee + Thrift and Meg Brooker, co-owner of The Runner’s Edge for a conversation about building business around community, not just product.

Both businesses are rooted in downtown Missoula, where MEP works alongside Missoula Downtown to support a strong business environment. But the ideas behind this conversation reach far beyond any one district or industry.

This episode will explore lessons any business owner can apply: how to build loyalty, create a sense of belonging, strengthen customer relationships, and become part of the fabric of a community.

Whether you own a business, manage one, or care about what it takes for businesses to thrive, this will be a valuable conversation.

AND - for the first time, Econ 101 on KGVO will be airing across Montana!

Join us on air or online!
KGVO NewsTalk 98.3 FM
Tuesday, April 28th at 9:03 AM
Call in with your questions for our experts!

https://newstalkkgvo.com/listen-live/

04/21/2026

The University of Montana’s John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge continues to serve as a launch point for student-led ventures.

This year’s competition featured a mix of early-stage ideas and businesses already operating in the market, with participants refining their models and pitching to a panel of judges from across the business community.

It’s a snapshot of how emerging entrepreneurs are testing, building, and growing businesses here in Missoula.

Read more:

A panel of 24 evaluators from across Montana meticulously reviewed over 103 submissions, selecting 14 finalists to compete in this year’s event.