Finalists named in Monfort Entrepreneurial Challenge

By: Steve Thursday January 24, 2013 Tags: 5280 Prosthetics, David Thomas, Greeley, UNC, Urban Farm Company, Wildfit Gyms

GREELEY - Five finalists have been selected to take part in the Fourth Annual Entrepreneurial Challenge presented by the University of Northern Colorado's Monfort College of Business, Monfort announced.

The finalists will present their business plans in a "Shark Tank"-style format on March 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at the University Center on the UNC campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

Those selected to take part are:

• Urban Farm Company, which offers a "fool-proof" gardening experience by installing high-yield organic vegetable gardens for homeowners and businesses


• Grouse Malting and Roasting Company, a malting company focused on organic, gluten-free grains for brewing and baking


• 5280 Prosthetics, which aims to improve the lives of amputees with a new generation of products that enable prosthetic devices to communicate with their users


• Membrane Protective Technologies, which offers a proprietary technology that protects dairy cattle sperm used in artificial insemination against freezing and thawing


• Wildfit Gyms, an outdoor fitness equipment company featuring website and mobile app integration

Competitors will vie for a total of $50,000 in prize money, with first place receiving $25,000, second place $15,000 and third place $10,000.

"Thirty entrepreneurs submitted business concepts in this year's competition, with 18 semifinalists competing in the semifinals on Jan. 18," said David Thomas, assistant professo0r of management at Monfort.

"The business concepts were diverse, well-presented and very impressive. The competition is truly serving as a real business initiative in Northern Colorado."

For more information, visit www.mcb-echallenge.com.