307 Startup Challenge competition at UW seeks entries from new blockchain companies | News
30 August 2022
New blockchain companies will compete in the 307 Startup Challenge on Wednesday, September 21 at the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede.
The Wyoming Blockchain Stampede is presented by the University of Wyoming Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation (CBDI) 19-23. September. Registration for the event is free at www.fbcinc.com/e/wyblockchainstampede/. Rules and registration form for the 307 Startup Challenge can be found at
Sponsored by Blue Ocean, the 307 Startup Challenge is for new, independent blockchain companies in the seed, startup or early growth stages that are focused on technology and/or innovation. Generally excluded are the following: acquisitions, expansions of existing companies, real estate syndications, franchisees, online sales, physical retail sales, license agreements for distribution in another geographic area and spinouts from existing companies.
Fred Schmechel, interim director of IMPACT 307, says partnering with the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede and the WyoHackathon will provide opportunities to showcase 307 Startup Challenge participants who offer new entrepreneurial ideas.
“IMPACT 307 has long supported the Blockchain Stampede and the WyoHackathon,” says Schmechel. “We look forward to taking our highly successful startup challenge model and applying it to this year’s competition. “
He says all teams must use a Lean Launchpad-based pitch deck and present this information in a seven-minute presentation, followed by a short question period, to the panel of judges on September 21. Applicants are “strongly encouraged” to use the IMPACT 307 Business Model Guidance Document, which outlines the Lean Launchpad process, in addition to the Competition Rules document.
In recent months, there has been a lot of innovation in digital assets, he says.
“We’re seeing a shift towards value proposition-driven companies and entrepreneurs who are focused on solving problems rather than speculating,” says Schmechel. “The competition is really steering against that momentum. We’re excited to see what the world’s blockchain leaders come up with for this.”
Wyoming is much more than just a mailbox for the world’s leading blockchain companies, he adds.
“We have an innovation-driven ecosystem for our companies and a support network that includes a leading university, our Workforce Development Training Fund’s internship grant for Wyoming students, and our IMPACT incubators ready to help blockchain companies looking to grow here with our best in the world blockchain legal environment, says Schmechel.
“The 307 Startup Challenge helps connect what we do at the University of Wyoming and the groundbreaking digital asset laws the Wyoming Legislature has approved in recent years,” said Steve Lupien, CBDI Director.
IMPACT 307 is a statewide network of Wyoming innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyoming’s entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for entrepreneurs to thrive.
The UW’s CBDI is an interdisciplinary center focused on emerging technologies to advance innovation, economic development and education.
For more information about the 307 Startup Challenge, email [email protected].
