Pitch Competition

Pitch Day is a celebration of the highly successful entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Teton region and beyond. We hope to inspire audience members and others in our community to dream up or begin their own entrepreneurial journey.

Pitch Day 2026 Applications Open June 1st

Applications for Silicon Couloir’s 15th Annual Pitch Day open Monday, June 1 and close Friday, June 26. Founders building companies in Eastern Idaho or anywhere in Wyoming are encouraged to apply.

Silicon Couloir’s Pitch Day is the region’s premier founder showcase. Finalists present to a panel of expert judges and a packed live audience at Center for the Arts on the evening of Thursday, September 24.

Invited applicants will make presentations to the selection committee in mid-July. Selected finalists then work through a summer-long series of five coaching sessions with seasoned business leaders, two of which are in person, designed to sharpen their pitch and their business plan ahead of the September event.

Companies must meet the following selection criteria to apply:

Stage: Developmental, pre-revenue, or post-revenue
Funding: Companies may be actively raising equity, debt, or other capital, but it's not required to apply
Growth potential: Priority given to ventures with significant growth potential
Industry: Real estate development companies not eligible; tourism businesses considered case-by-case and must demonstrate innovative, growth-driven models
Geography: Operating or incorporated in Eastern Idaho or Wyoming
Values-based: Applicants must describe how their venture relates to Silicon Couloir's guiding principle of Profit, People, Planet
Silicon Couloir Ecosystem: Prior participation in other Silicon Couloir programs is a value-add in selection

Prizes and Awards

Finalists will compete for three top cash prizes: the Panelist Choice Award, the Audience Choice Award, and the Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award. Every finalist will receive a minimum cash award for participating in the program. Prize amounts and panelist details will be announced prior to the event.

Finalists selected from outside the Teton region will receive assistance with lodging and travel costs.

How to Apply

The application period opens Monday, June 1st and all applications are due by Friday, June 26th.

All applicants must contact Rebecca Reimers, Ecosystem Director, at Rebecca@SiliconCouloir.com for instructions on how to apply and program commitment for applicants and finalists.

Thank you to our Pitch Day Sponsors

Pitch Day is made possible by the generous support of our corporate sponsors: Pirate Ship, Wyoming Venture Capital, the University of Wyoming College of Business, the Virginian Lodge, and Laramie County Community College.

Pitch Day 2025: A Night of Big Ideas and Bold Entrepreneurs

What an exciting night! Five outstanding finalists took the stage at our 14th Annual Pitch Day, delivering polished and powerful presentations to a live audience of over 400 people and a panel of five distinguished judges.

Each finalist spent months in intensive coaching sessions leading up to the big night, and it showed. Their growth, preparation, and passion were truly inspiring.

We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners:

🏆 Panelist Choice Award: Cowboy Country Milling

🥇 Audience Choice Award: Caucell

🌿 Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award: Simple Learning

✨ Dreamers & Doers Award: Rise Centered

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in person or tuned in via livestream to celebrate Wyoming’s entrepreneurial spirit.

If you missed the event, you can watch the full recording on our website by clicking the button below.

Cash prizes were awarded in three categories:

$25,000 cash + $1,000 Pirate Ship shipping credit
This award is given to the company that our experienced judges determine has (1) the most compelling business idea, (2) the best chance for business success, (3) the highest likelihood of getting funded, and (4) the strongest presentation.
$18,000 cash + one year membership at The Cowork Space + $1,000 Pirate Ship shipping credit
This award is given to the entrepreneur who “wows” the audience with their presentation and company vision.
$10,000 cash + six month membership at The Cowork Space + $1,000 Pirate Ship shipping credit
The Bob Arndt Community Caretaker Award is presented to that entrepreneur or venture whose person/team and company best embodies the core values and mission of Silicon Couloir. Just as Bob lived his life guided by the value of community caretaking, this company will exemplify growing a culture of stewardship, leadership, participation, collaboration, and citizenship that inspires and enriches our Wyoming community.
Thank you to these sponsors who have contributed to our overall prize package:
- One-year membership to Dreamers & Doers ($2,800 value)
- Ten nights of lodging for out-of-town finalists donated by The Virginian Lodge
- $3,600 in travel stipends provided by Laramie County Community College

Pitch Day RECORDINGs

Pitch Day Program

Selected entrepreneurs have five coaching sessions with a team of successful and experienced business experts leading up to the main event. A critical and high-value feature of the program, coaching helps entrepreneurs hone their delivery and synthesize their business concept, financials, and presentation.

For the first time ever, every finalist will receive a cash prize. Even those not receiving a top award will be recognized with a $3,750 participation stipend for completing the coaching and presentation.

2025 Pitch Day Finalists

Caucell

Caucell has invented an AI blood test from 10 drops of blood. It is a painless at-home blood test, based on the immune system, that screens for about 50 autoimmune and chronic diseases. Caucell’s blood test will be offered by primary care providers, cutting down the diagnostic process from years to weeks.
Cowboy Country Milling

Cowboy Country Milling strengthens Wyoming’s food system by keeping value-added agriculture right here at home. By sourcing wheat from local farmers, milling it in Pine Bluffs, and selling directly to regional bakeries and families, the company creates jobs in farming, food production, logistics, and retail—all while keeping dollars circulating in communities across Wyoming.
MayPall

MayPall has developed an innovative new mouthwash inspired by research from the University of Wyoming. MayPall's all-natural formula is not only effective but also completely safe to swallow.
Rise Centered

Rise Centered is a wellness brand helping people reconnect with themselves through beautifully designed, phone-free products. Their flagship item—a sunrise alarm clock made from natural materials—is a screen-free solution for better mornings and deeper rest.
Simple Learning

Simple Learning is an innovative educational solution dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities through cutting-edge resources. As the inventor of a patented sound device designed to enhance focused ability, Founder Tina Kramer leverages her personal experience with ADHD and her teaching background to provide transformative tools that improve educational support for individuals, families, and educators.

Congratulations to our five finalists on their sophisticated and polished pitches! A tremendous amount of hard work went into each compelling and thoughtful presentation.