University of Montana Launches Workshop and Coworking Space in Downtown Missoula to Boost Startups

The University of Montana has launched an eight-week entrepreneurship workshop and a new downtown coworking space for startups.

UM’s VBX Entrepreneurship Workshop Series began in early June 2026, aiming to support Missoula community members in developing business ideas through mentorship and collaboration. This initiative creates a structural support system for local entrepreneurs by combining practical training with ongoing workspace resources.

Led by Erik Guzik of UM’s College of Business, the weekly workshops cover essential topics such as business models, customer identification, and team building. Ten participants, including local professionals and UM students, are actively engaged. The new coworking space at 125 1/2 W. Main St., which opened August 5, 2026, offers a physical hub for these startups. CoBuild Montana, a cooperative venture by Guzik and Kirstin Miller, will further extend this support by hosting a Startup World Cup USA Regional event and a symposium in October.

The grand opening on August 5 will feature startup pitches, marking the transition from workshop learning to active entrepreneurship.

Missoula’s entrepreneurial ecosystem could benefit from this blend of education and shared workspace, reflecting the region’s collaborative culture and the practical demands of Montana’s dispersed business environment. Such initiatives might foster stronger local networks and resource sharing, critical in a state where geographic distances often challenge startup growth.

UM Offers Startup Workshop to Missoula, Opens Downtown Workspace
By UM News Service , University of Montana