The University of Montana College of Business is gearing up to host the 37th annual John Ruffatto Startup Challenge on Friday, April 17, celebrating the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of Montana students.

The Ruffatto Startup Challenge – sponsored by Ontra Marketing Group, Bill and Cheryl Papesh and the Folley Family Foundation – provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas. Students compete for $50,000 in prize money, which reflects the strong support of businesses, organizations and individuals dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship across the state.

A panel of 24 evaluators from across Montana meticulously reviewed over 103 submissions, selecting 14 finalists to compete in this year’s event.