Veterans Earn $10,000 in Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Pitch Competition

Celebrating Success: Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Track

The Military Track at Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) recently concluded with resounding success, thanks to the collaboration between Mission43 and the Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA). The event featured a dedicated military track that provided military-connected business owners with an opportunity to integrate into Idaho’s thriving entrepreneurial community. The track was filled with an informative panel discussion, an exclusive pitch competition, and a total of $10,000 in prize money for deserving participants.

8 Military Community Members Participated in the Inaurural Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Pitch Competition

Military community members from across Idaho showcased their skills, innovation, and products during the inaugural Military Track at Boise Entrepreneur Week. The event welcomed individuals from various backgrounds, some just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey, and others seeking the extra boost needed to grow their businesses and nonprofit organizations.

First Place $5,000: Lifter’s Loot

Jessica Estes, with Lifter’s Loot, spent 21 years in the Air Force in ground radar. Jessica developed the business from experience in her fitness journey; she realized it can be overwhelming to sort through the multitude of fitness products and supplements available on the market to find something you enjoy – leaving you with a pantry full of partially used, large containers of expensive items. Enter Lifter’s Loot, where subscribers can receive a monthly box of high-quality supplement samples and protein snacks delivered right to their door!

This is a great way to try something new and sample a variety of items without forking over hundreds of dollars for the full-sized product. Interested in a Lifter’s Loot subscription? We’ve made it easy for you! Click the button below to be taken directly to the Lifter’s Loot subscription page and get “gains fer yer booty!”

Second Place $3,000: Zero Dark Thirty Coffee

Jarad Webb served in the Marine Corps for 4 years as a combat engineer and is passionate about giving back to the military community. Zero Dark Thirty Coffee came to fruition over a cup of coffee and a conversation about how to give back to brothers and sisters in arms. Zero Dark Thirty Coffee’s namesake came from military slang for “really early in the morning,” and is made from higher-quality roasted beans than most mass-produced coffee. Not only are you getting a better quality brew with each sip, but you’re also supporting the veteran community with Zero Dark Thirty’s mission to support service members and bring awareness to veteran and first responder suicide and PTSD.

There are several purchasing options, which include a monthly subscription. Click the button below to visit Zero Dark Thirty’s website and browse coffee and swag options!

THIRD PLACE $2,000: SCREEN IT FIRST

Mac McCabe served in the Marine Corps for 8 years as a MP and musician. Like many great entrepreneurs, Mac set out to solve a problem that he has direct experience with: Ensuring that his children were reading age appropriate books that aligned with family values. The Screen It First Platform helps inform parents and educators about sensitive content in children’s books. In this platform, contributors can anonymously submit screens for books. Information is compiled and available for users to view as they wish, helping to identify sensitive content for others, or to view without having to read the book in its entirety.

Mac McCabe served in the Marine Corps for 8 years as a MP and musician. Like many great entrepreneurs, Mac set out to solve a problem that he has direct experience with: Ensuring that his children were reading age appropriate books that aligned with family values. The Screen It First Platform helps inform parents and educators about sensitive content in children’s books. In this platform, contributors can anonymously submit screens for books. Information is compiled and available for users to view as they wish, helping to identify sensitive content for others, or to view without having to read the book in its entirety.