Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative's Startup Hoyas announced Tuesday the 10 semi-finalists in the first national Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. The challenge, arranged by the school in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, is the only U.S. business competition focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs, and highlights the up-and-coming innovators statewide whose unique business ideas stem from hidden treasure troves across Rural America.
The semi-finalists were selected from more than 200 applicants, all teams that will now move on to the next phase of the challenge. They remain in the running for prize money totaling $40,000 that will allow them the chance to make their dream a reality. They semi-finalists are as follows, according to Georgetown:
- ATP-SC (Allendale, S.C.), a process to convert plant and wood biomass into bio-products. Team lead: Joe James;
- Branches, Inc. (Neosho, Mo.), an online, STEM-based learning platform that teaches design and fabrication. Team lead: David Parsons;
- Fergus Foods (Fergus Falls, Minn.), a rural food entrepreneur incubator and rental facility. Team lead: Robert Fuglie;
- Mobile Rural Veterinary Clinic (Panhandle, Texas), a mobile veterinary satellite clinic serving rural communities. Team lead: Joe Hillhouse;
- Pasturebird, LLC (Temecula, Calif.), a cost-effective method of producing pastured poultry on a large scale. Team lead: Paul Greive;
- Pulaski Grow (Pulaski, Va.), an aquaponics facility to provide local youth with job training. Team lead: Lee Spiegel;
- ScoutPro (Lone Tree, Iowa), software to assist farmers with crop maintenance. Team lead: Michael Koenig;
- Senior Move Management (Palmyra, Mo.), customized moving and relocation services for older Americans. Team lead: Suzanne Ellerbrock;
- Shelf Life (Arlington, Tenn.), a hydroponic growing system for small producers. Team lead: Glenn Cunningham; and
- StopFlood Appliance Systems (Inkom, Idaho), a product to prevent floods caused by washing machine hose failures. Team lead: Brent Singley.
AFBF President Bob Stallman made the announcement of the semi-finalists at the National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship at the McDonough School of Business.
“The outstanding group of entrepreneurs selected as semi-finalists reflects the depth and diversity of rural business ideas in cultivation across the nation,” he said. “They are proof that great business ideas can be generated anywhere.”
The competition has only just begun, with semi-finalists due to compete in a series of virtual team interviews. Judges will then be dealt with the responsibility to choose four finalists that will each win $15,000. Those winners will then pitch their business ideas to a whole other team of judges at the AFBF 96th Annual Convention held during January in San Diego, California, in hopes of taking home the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Award for an additional $15,000 and the Peoples' Choice Award for another $10,000.
“Through the challenge, we will identify rural entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and help them remove any barriers standing between them and a viable, emerging business,” Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development, said of the competition. “Winners will get initial capital, as well as mentoring to take them from innovative concept, to strategy, to reality. Farm Bureau recognizes that great business ideas can germinate anywhere, and we’re excited to see what our members will bring to the table.”
