Big Horn Records, Shawn Day — A record label company set up to represent and promote emerging and established “Wyoming-grown” music artists.

Pilot Project Solutions, Bret Noecker — Development and deployment of a waste-to-product operation to convert plastic and municipal waste to valuable carbon products such as graphite or graphene.

NotFoundBot, Travis Todd — A software tool that uses AI-powered redirection to assist ecommerce internet users experiencing “404 not found” errors.

Van Dorsten Custom Firearms, Scott Van Dorstern — An innovative design of a scout rifle scope mount that can be used to convert a bolt action rifle to a scout rifle, and other firearm accessories.

Each finalist will present at the Sheridan Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night, scheduled for Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the WYO Performing Arts and Educaiton Center, and will have an opportunity to win business funding from the $100,000 seed fund established for the event.

This year’s challenge attracted 35 applicants that represent a wide variety of business ideas that would serve Sheridan and the region. A judge panel made up of area entrepreneurs and business consultants reviewed the applications and selected 11 plans for a semifinal round held Sept. 28-29. Each semifinalist had an opportunity to present their ideas and meet the judges in person. The five finalists mentioned above were then selected by the panel.

2023 will be the seventh year of the Sheridan Start-Up Challenge entrepreneurial competition. Sheridan continues to be a leader in the state for the number of entrepreneur competition business ideas submitted and enthusiasm for launching new ventures, according to a press release.

“Each year, there are a number of intriguing business ideas submitted for consideration by Sheridan area residents,” said Scot Rendall, Sheridan director of IMPACT 307. “Out of this process, founders launching new ventures will continue to help our local economy and provide products and services that address needs locally, regionally and, in many cases, nationwide.”

The finalists will spend the next month working with IMPACT 307 to continue development of their plans and respond to judge questions and feedback that were provided during the semifinal round. In addition to the possibility of seed funding, Pitch Night will allow each finalists to showcase and promote their ideas to a live audience. Livestreaming of the event will again be offered for those who cannot attend in person. The Sheridan Start-Up Challenge is made possible through the support of Sheridan County, the city of Sheridan, the Wyoming Business Council and the Homer A. and Mildred S. Scott Foundation.

IMPACT 307 is a startup business development program of the University of Wyoming and a part of the state’s Business Resource Network. It is administered by UW’s Research and Economic Development Division.