Montana State University student entrepreneurs sweep top places, secure funding at state-wide Montana University John Ruffatto Startup Challenge

All five teams of Montana State University student entrepreneurs who competed at a recent statewide startup competition earned awards and funding to support their ventures. The MSU teams swept the top four places and secured the majority of the $50,000 available prize money.

The students were competing at the 30th annual John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge, held March 8 at the University of Montana in Missoula. During the competition, the teams made their pitches in front of more than 50 judges ranging from small business owners to angel investors. In all, 12 finalists represented MSU and the University of Montana at the competition.