2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition

$30,000 in funding available for central Utah entrepreneurs

December 12, 2025 – Ephraim, UT – Snow College’s GRIT Center for Rural Entrepreneurship is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2026 Everyday Entrepreneur Pitch Competition, an early-stage business competition designed to fuel innovation and economic development across central Utah.

The competition is open to Snow College students and community entrepreneurs residing in the six central Utah counties of Juab, Sanpete, Sevier, Millard, Piute, and Wayne. Participants will receive access not only to potential seed funding, but also to mentorship, education, and a strong support network that helps early-stage ventures thrive.

State Bank of Southern Utah has been named the headline sponsor, demonstrating its commitment to fostering local innovation and economic growth with a $10,000 grand prize. This year’s funding also includes a $10,000 grant from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE), matched by $5,000 from the Utah Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and $5,000 from the GRIT Center, bringing the total available cash awards to $30,000.

“As a rural-serving institution, we see firsthand the barriers that many aspiring business owners face,” said Jay Olsen, Vice President of Technical Education and Workforce Development at Snow College. “Through the Everyday Entrepreneur program, we’re committed to providing the resources, mentorship, and opportunities that help our students and community members turn their ideas into successful businesses.”

Olsen noted that Snow College is investing in the program by contributing dedicated resources, campus facilities, technology, and administrative support. The GRIT Center is also building partnerships with local business leaders and community organizations, leveraging faculty and alumni for mentorship, and conducting targeted outreach to rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs selected for the program will participate in workshops, receive one-on-one coaching, and gain access to a regional network of resources aimed at helping them launch or grow their businesses. Finalists will pitch their ideas before a panel of judges for the opportunity to receive a portion of the $30,000 in cash prizes.

Applications are due January 9, 2026. Visit the competition webpage for more information about the competition, or contact Russ Tanner at ude.wons@rennat.ssur.