7th Annual Regis Innovation Challenge Highlights Student, Alumni, and Community Entrepreneurship

Celebrating innovation and collaboration across diverse ventures

Regis University celebrates the success of its 7th Annual Innovation Challenge, showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship among students, alumni, and the broader community. The Innovation Challenge, along with the Magis Factory Accelerator, has now invested over $200,000 in student, alumni, and community businesses, fostering growth and creativity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

The Regis Innovation Challenge is unique in the state because it welcomes businesses from outside the university, regardless of their connection to Regis. The 2024 competition attracted a record number of applicants, with 27 businesses pitching ventures across diverse industries including healthcare tech, fintech, human performance tracking, food education, and lifestyle. 

A rigorous selection process led to the acceptance of 9 outstanding businesses into this year's competition, comprising 3 student-led ventures, 1 alumni business, and 5 community-based enterprises. Notably, these businesses spanned across local and national landscapes, including California and Alabama. 

One unique requirement of the Regis Innovation Challenge is the inclusion of current Regis students on all non-student business teams, facilitating cross-collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and deepening the experience of the Regis students. 

Throughout the competition, all participants received dedicated mentoring and guidance from a diverse group of 17 mentors, including faculty members, alumni, and community leaders from various parts of the country. 

A semifinals competition was held in March to determine the top teams. The Innovation Challenge puts the top teams against one another in a Shark Tank-style competition where business ideas are pitched to a panel of judges. Ideas will be judged on desirability, feasibility, viability and presentation. The Regis Innovation Challenge Finals will be held on Friday, May 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend and will play an active role in helping select which businesses receive investment this year. 

These finalists and their innovative ventures not only showcase entrepreneurial spirit, but also embody Regis University's commitment to social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and inclusive community impact. 

After a series of pitches in March, four outstanding finalists emerged from Regis University: 

• Freshman Easton Baier and his brother, Eli Baier, presented Greener Grass, offering Sustainability as a Service to lawn care companies through solar-powered equipment. Sophomore student athlete Blake Wellington showcased 10K Academy, a management platform for student-athletes.  
• Community founder Michael Griffin introduced Bring Coffee, providing sustainable, portable, craft ground coffee solutions for travelers. 
• Community Founder Ruth Jackson presented Bake It With Sass, an online community teaching baking in ASL with English subtitles. 
• Yum Dum, Arrupe seniors Julissa Fernandez, Krystal Martinez, Cristina Ramirez and Lorenzo Segovia presented a toy with sensory components intended to help blind and deaf dogs stay active.

The event will be held in the Mountain View Room of St. Peter Claver, S.J., Hall on Regis’ Northwest Denver Campus (use Entrance 4), 3333 Regis Blvd. 

To learn more go to: https://www.regisinnovationchallenge.com