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CoBuild Summit “Building the Builders: Creating Places Where Entrepreneurship Thrives” – 10/21 – Missoula
A Montana founder has a promising idea and no idea who to call. Who picks up?
That’s the kind of question we’ll dig into at the CoBuild Summit in Missoula. I’m joining a panel called “Building the Builders: Creating Places Where Entrepreneurship Thrives” on October 21, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the UC Theater on the University of Montana campus.
Behind every new venture are people and networks. They’re what turn an idea into something real.
We’ll talk about mentorship, access to expertise and capital, and the connections that help entrepreneurs take their next step. We’ll also look at where support falls short and what could close those gaps.
The panel brings together entrepreneurship, community development, university technology transfer, and student-led investment. I’ll be on the technology transfer side, alongside Erik Guzik, PhD of UM and CoBuild Montana, Eric Harry of Flathead Valley Community College, and a few others.
Hit a gap building something in Montana? I’d like to hear about it before the 21st.
Harmen Steele Ph.D.
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31 Startups. 4 Countries. 10 Finalists. The Last Best Chance to Win One Ticket to the Startup World Cup.
On October 21, we’re bringing the Startup World Cup Montana Regional to Missoula as part of the CoBuild Montana Summit. We received applications from 31 startups, including national entries from Miami, Ann Arbor, Austin, New York, and San Francisco, and worldwide entries from India, Argentina, and the Czech Republic.
The startups represented a remarkable range of industries, technologies, and entrepreneurial ideas. From healthcare and artificial intelligence to manufacturing, consumer products, cybersecurity, and environmental innovation, these founders are tackling real problems and developing new solutions.
We’re excited to announce the 10 finalists who will take the stage in Missoula, including startups from across Montana–and the country:
Forest Future — Missoula
indelible.Imagery — Missoula
Montana Critical Metals Inc. — Missoula
Montana Fragrance Company — Kalispell
Open Security — San Antonio, TX
Science & Technology Integrated Solutions — Austin, TX
StarSync Studio — Stevensville
The Healing Lab — Big Sky
Viz Ai Technology — Kalispell
Zenroll — Princeton, NJ
Congratulations to all ten finalists! And thank you to every startup that applied.
Now comes the exciting part. On Wednesday, October 21, the finalists will pitch their ventures live before a panel of judges and an audience of entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, students, and community members.
One startup will be named the Montana Regional Champion and advance to the Startup World Cup in San Francisco, November 4–6, where they will have the opportunity to compete for an investment prize of up to $1 million.
But there’s something else worth celebrating.
Entrepreneurship isn’t confined to Silicon Valley or major metropolitan centers. Great ideas can emerge anywhere, and Montana can be a place where entrepreneurs from across the country come together to connect, compete, and build. Join us and see what these entrepreneurs are building.
📍 UC Theater, University of Montana, Missoula.
📅 Wednesday, October 21, 2026
🕕 6:00–8:00 PM. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Hosted by the incomparable Ryan Nong.
🎟️ Event is free and open to the public. Appetizers and refreshments provided. Event details and tickets: https://lnkd.in/gqdTtizY
Presented by Blackfoot Communications and VBX Venture Studio as part of the CoBuild Summit.
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