Wind River Startup Challenge

02/28/2025

‼️ Today's the day ‼️

2025 Wind River Startup Challenge applications are due !!TODAY!! by 5pm MT. Don't miss your chance to receive two months of business mentorship as you develop a business plan. This is how you bring your next great idea to life!

Apply >>

Applications for the 2025 Wind River Startup Challenge are open! Complete your application be February 28, 2025 at 5pm MT.application and more information below Application Guidelines The Wind Rive…

02/24/2025

Have you gotten your application in for the 2025 Wind River Startup Challenge? Applications close February 28! Apply online or in person at the Frank B. Wise Business Center in Ft. Washakie.

Get the application and more information here >> https://windriverstartupchallenge.com/

02/20/2025

💡 Did you know that over $150,000 has been given out to Native-led businesses on the Wind River Reservation in the last 5 years?

You could be next! 🥳

Apply to the 2025 Wind River Startup Challenge by February 28 and get your chance at startup funding for your great idea!

Apply >>

Applications for the 2025 Wind River Startup Challenge are open! Complete your application be February 28, 2025 at 5pm MT.application and more information below Application Guidelines The Wind Rive…

02/10/2025

And we're back!!

Applications for the 2025 Wind River Startup Challenge are now open! Put in your application by February 28 online or drop one off at the Frank B. Wise Business Center in Ft. Washakie.

Learn more and apply >> https://windriverstartupchallenge.com/

And don't forget to share!!

05/26/2023

Another write up highlighting our 8 entrepreneurs from the 2023 Wind River Startup Challenge. Thanks to the Lander Journal for the coverage!

“The only problem we have is funding, and that’s everybody’s problem,” remarked Cheryl White Bull, owner of Fire and Ice, during her business’ presentation to the judges. Indeed, all of the finalists seem to have come prepared, some with established businesses that needed funding to take the next steps, and some with detailed plans for starting a new business should they receive funding. They certainly impressed the judges; all eight were awarded some amount of funding from WRSC.

Read the full article >>

The Wind River Startup Challenge (WRSC), a program that works with organizations including the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, the University of Wyoming and the Wind River Development Fund to help local people start their own businesses, recently hosted its Pitch Day event. After month...

05/19/2023

It's Friday and we're still celebrating the success of Pitch Day! Congratulations to our entrepreneurs who confidently pitched their business ideas and ALL went home with some cash! Can we get some 👍 likes 👍 and ❤️ love ❤️ for these business leaders:

🔥 Fire and Ice: Fire and Ice is a mobile concession business run by Robin Manderson and Cheryl White Bull that sells treats such as snow cones and piccadilly at community events. They specialize in creative and custom flavor combinations and fun, fresh, homemade ingredients and toppings.

🛞 White Eagle Tire Service: White Eagle Tire Service, located in Ethete, is run by Pat White Jr., and is the place for friendly, affordable, and professional tire repair.

👑 Concrete Kingz: Concrete Kingz is a concrete service run by RV Hereford Jr. that does work with sidewalks and slabs, to footers and foundations. Concrete Kingz is there to conquer all your concrete needs.

🐺 Red Wolf Designs: Red Wolf Designs is a custom quilting business run by Lisa Redman that provides unique and professionally crafted quilts for special occasions, gifts and ceremonies. They offer a wide range of designs, color combinations and fabric for each customer’s specific needs.

👐 2 Indigenous Hands: 2 Indigenous Hands is a retail craft supply store run by Courtney Smith, to be located in Riverton, that will carry a modern collection of supplies for beaders, quilters and other artisans. They will also support indigenous artisans by selling their work in the retail shop.

🥗 Indigi-Meals Pro: Indigi-Meals Pro is run by Kacy Makeshine and Deynse Ute, and offers delicious, nutritious, ready to eat meals delivered to your home or office with fresh new options every week.

🥩 Warm Valley Smoke Wagon: Warm Valley Smoke Wagon, run by Jacoby Hereford Sr., offers home cooked flavor with fast food convenience, and brings smoked brisket to Fremont County (and beyond) through their mobile food trailer.

⚖️ RezLaw: RezLaw, run by Ted Thayer, a Native owned legal aid provider offering legal advice, services, and representation for criminal cases on the Wind River Reservation.

05/17/2023

"The overwhelming sense of communal support between each business was palpable Tuesday evening as each team cheered for each other during the pitches and when the final awards were announced."

We are so proud of our 8 entrepreneurs that pitched their businesses last night and received seed funding for their business ideas. Read more about the event and the winning pitches on the County10 write up >>

(Wind River Reservation, WY) – The 4th annual Wind River Startup Challenge Pitch Day took place at the Frank B. Wise Business Center in Fort Washakie Tuesday, May 17, where $50,000 was awarded to eight different businesses located on the Wind River Reservation. The Wind River Startup Challenge is ...

05/10/2023

05/04/2023

Put Pitch Day on your calendar!
8 local entrepreneurs will be pitching their business ideas for an opportunity to receive up to $20,000 in seed funding.

Come support Courtney Smith, RV Hereford Jr., Robin Manderson, Jacoby Hereford Sr., Ted Thayer, Lisa Redman, Kacy Makeshine and Pat White Jr.

Event details here >> https://fb.me/e/2OMjZc9j4