IX Power Clean Water snags $25K top prize at fifth annual UNC Monfort Entrepreneurial Challenge

By: InnovatioNews Monday March 31, 2014 Tags: 9News, Congo, David Thomas, Denver, Greeley, IX Power Clean Water, John "Grizz" Deal, OrganiClear, Tabrific

GREELEY - IX Power Clean Water was first-place winner of the fifth annual University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business Entrepreneurial Challenge held March 29 in Denver.

IX Power Clean Water, which commercializes clean water and safe power innovations developed at U.S. Dept. of Energy labs, won $25,000.

The company's first product, OrganiClear, was developed to remove toxic hydrocarbons from water used in oil-and0-gas operations, agriculture, mining and other industrial processes.

"Although we've been working on the launch of our product OrganiClear for over a year, the program the challenge put us through really focused our thinking on the market, prospective customers and how we can raise capital to achieve our business goals," said John "Grizz" Deal, IX Power Clean Water CEO.

Second place in this year's competition held at 9NEWS studios in Denver was Tabrific LLC, which picked up a $15,000 prize. The company offers a personalized gifting option for creating experiences around an idea, product or event.

Third-place winner of $10,000 went to Congo, an online platform providing users with instant access to a fee-based live video chat with a qualified doctor or lawyer.

"The judges were very impressed with the caliber of business plans presented," said David Thomas, UNC assistant professor of management and Entrepreneurial Challenge director.

"The 9NEWS partnership and broadcast on Channel 20 was a great addition to this year's challenge and has provided a broader audience with a view of the exciting ventures being built here in Colorado."

View IX Power Clean Water's Jan. 15 preliminary pitch here.