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MISSOULA – The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ College of Business is gearing up to host the 36th annual John Ruffatto Startup Challenge (JRSC) on April 4, celebrating the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Montana’s Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.

Presented by the UM College of Business and sponsored by Ontra Marketing Group, the JRSC provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas, competing for over $50,000 in prize money. This investment reflects the strong support of businesses, organizations, and individuals dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship across the state.

A panel of evaluators from across Montana meticulously reviewed over 70 submissions, selecting 14 standout teams to compete in this year’s event.

The community is invited to experience the excitement firsthand at the live finals in the University Center Theater. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with a networking hour where attendees can connect with competitors and industry professionals before the competition kicks off at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature groundbreaking ventures spanning local, regional, national, and international markets—offering a unique opportunity to engage with Montana’s next generation of business leaders.

Now in its third decade, the JRSC has been a launching pad for many successful Montana businesses, including Five on Black Brazilian Grill, Market on Front, Morphose Exercise Systems, GeoFli, and Big Sky Brewing.

For those eager to learn more or participate, visit the John Ruffatto Startup Challenge webpage. Questions about the competition can be directed to Erik Guzik at erik.guzik@umontana.edu.

2025 Finalists

Aegis: Aegis creates attractive anti-theft handbags designed for modern travelers who refuse to compromise on security or design. Emphasizing fashion and functionality, our bags feature discreet security elements to protect personal belongings without sacrificing visual appeal. With a more affordable price point and a focus on quality, Aegis fills the gap between standard theft-resistant options and higher-priced brands, empowering travelers with confidence and style.

AgTag Technologies: The AgTag is an electronic ear tag that monitors heart rate, temperature and location in beef cattle. Utilizing long range radio to communicate data to a base station near a regularly traveled area, it will notify ranchers of health issues in their livestock and update them on where they are. This allows ranchers to prevent large amounts of cattle loss by warning them when concerning changes in heart rate or temperature occur.

Bula Bar: Missoula’s first kava bar will provide a unique, alcohol-free social space where guests can experience the natural relaxation of kava in a welcoming, community-focused environment. With the rising demand for healthier alternatives to alcohol and the growing popularity of non-alcoholic social venues, our kava bar will fill a gap in Missoula’s market. By combining a calming ambiance with ethically sourced kava beverages, we aim to promote wellness, connection, and a refreshing alternative to traditional nightlife.

CloudCard: CloudCard aims to revolutionize the way photographers store and backup their photos. This product would automatically back up photos as they are taken, offering a seamless and secure storage option for professionals. The purpose is to eliminate the risk of photo loss due to device failures, and provide an efficient solution to keep memories safe and accessible. The ultimate goal is to become the leading platform, and set the standard for the industry.

Enginuity: Enginuity simplifies car diagnostics and repairs with AI-driven insights, real-time cost estimates, and mobile repair booking. Using affordable OBD Bluetooth sensors and a smart app, we make vehicle maintenance easier, more transparent, and convenient for car owners, fleet operators, and rideshare drivers. Our goal is to eliminate the guesswork in car repairs and provide a seamless, reliable alternative to traditional repair shops.

GoalGetter: GoalGetter is a dedicated sponsorship marketplace connecting female soccer athletes with brands seeking impactful partnerships. By streamlining the sponsorship process, we help athletes secure funding, grow their personal brands, and access new opportunities while enabling brands to engage with passionate sports audiences. Our ultimate goal is to elevate women’s soccer by increasing sponsorship accessibility, driving investment in female athletes, and fostering a sustainable ecosystem for growth in women’s sports.

Hustle Fundraise: Hustle is a fundraising platform designed for athletes, Greek life, and nonprofits to raise money through streamlined outreach efforts. Our platform simplifies fundraising with pre-built templates, automated communications, and seamless payment processing, maximizing donor engagement and results. Unlike traditional fundraisers, Hustle eliminates upfront costs and inefficiencies, making the process easier and more effective. By combining technology with a performance-based model, Hustle empowers groups to fundraise smarter, faster, and more successfully than ever before.

K9 Conservationists: K9 Conservationists is known for creative solutions to challenging projects, excellent dog welfare, and safety in the field. Some data is difficult for humans to find. Think of rare plants, animals, or scat. Dog's noses are much more efficient than human eyes for finding things. We also produce educational material, and a podcast that interviews people within the conservation detection dog field, including wildlife biologists, community scientists, dog behavior researchers, and handlers.

Marten Ultralight LLC: Marten Ultralight is focused on producing innovative backcountry gear without compromising quality and accessibility. Our company name “Marten” is an homage to the American pine marten: Montana’s smallest and most agile hunter. Like the pine marten, our company’s products are developed to be sleek and lightweight to outfit the stealthiest outdoorsmen and women. In the future, we plan on prototyping a new generation of cutting-edge accessories to increase efficiency for any adventure.

PeakLink: PeakLink provides a reliable, long-range mesh communication platform that bridges the gaps between first responders, IoT utilities, and command centers. Our solution ensures critical updates flow in real time, empowering teams to act decisively when traditional networks are unavailable. Our vision is connecting and protecting both those who serve and those in peril; no matter where they are.

Puppet Pandemonium: Puppet Pandemonium is where creativity and connection come to life! Our handcrafted puppets inspire imaginative play, social-emotional learning, and storytelling for children, educators, and therapists. By blending tradition with innovation, we help kids develop communication skills, engage beyond screens, and explore emotions through play, in all three platforms. Whether for classrooms, therapy sessions, or fun at home, every puppet is a friend kids can count on! Because make-believe is a child’s greatest sanctuary.

QB Pocket Passer: For quarterbacks, opportunities are hard to come by, and one mistake can torpedo one's entire career. Quarterbacks play in a chaotic environment with significant visual obstruction to their receivers downfield, yet they spend over 75% of their yearly training in a setting that does not match their live game environment. QB Pocket Passer helps quarterbacks better utilize over 3/4 of their real-world reps that have since been wasted.

Remsight: Remsight delivers practical, high-impact technology to ranchers and land managers facing rising labor costs and water management challenges. Our modular sensor networks provide real-time data for smarter, more efficient water use—saving time, money, and resources. With a clear ROI, we empower the industry with solutions they need now. Our ultimate goal is to help ranchers lower long-term costs, enhance sustainability, and unlock the full potential of their water data.

Spotless: Spotless is a remote cleaning business which connects clients with vetted cleaners through the simplistic, yet forward-thinking app. The app combines the positive aspects of Uber and Tinder. The Uber component allows professionals to creatively personalize their profile, hours, work location, etc. The Tinder component allows clients to view professionals’ profiles, including ratings and reviews, and the freedom to choose who’s hired. Spotless will be the unbeatable, go-to platform for residential and commercial cleaning.