Kickstart

Who is Eligible?

Businesses that meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply:

• Founded within the state of Wyoming, with plans to remain primarily within the state for at least three years following the date of award;
• No more than 25 employees at the time of application and 50% of current employees must be Wyoming residents; and
• Potential for high-growth and obtaining markets outside Wyoming.

In addition, one of the company’s founders must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Have completed an accelerator program;
• Competed, and been a finalist, in a pitch competition;
• Started a business previously with a successful exit; and/or
• Started a venture-backed business previously that has failed or closed.

Application Process

1. There will be one competition cycle per calendar quarter.
2. Applications will be opened four weeks before the end of the previous quarter and will close on the last day of the quarter (i.e. applications will open from June 1 to June 30 for the Q3 cycle of the competition).
3. Applicants will need the following to apply:
   • Pitch Deck
   • Pre-recorded 5-minute pitch (shared through a private link via Vimeo, YouTube, or similar platform)
   • W-9
   • Budget Form
   • Employee Matrix and Company Growth Form (Please note: This form has two tabs – one for current employees of the company and one for future growth plans of the company. Both tabs need to be submitted with the application.)
4. Five semi-finalists will be selected to participate in a Virtual Pitch Day with a panel of investors.
5. Three finalists will advance to a Q&A session with a panel of WBC team members to determine the amount of their respective awards.
6. Awards will be announced during the Wyoming Business Council Board Meeting held during that respective quarter.