Ignite your passion and elevate your business skills at events hosted by College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Entrepreneur Lab. From Boise Entrepreneur Week to hands-on workshops and exclusive field trips to local businesses, there's something for everyone. Connect with leaders, learn key topics, and celebrate innovation — don't miss these opportunities to grow and network!
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Boise Entrepreneur Week
Boise Entrepreneur Week is the largest entrepreneurial event in Idaho! This 5-day event will feature workshops, speeches, and panels for everyone no matter if you are a serial entrepreneur or just getting started. Join us to experience inspiration, information, and connections that will help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Interested in attending? Contact the Entrepreneur Lab for information about transportation and logistics for CWI students.
Sept. 30 – Oct. 4
Jack's Urban Meeting Place, Downtown Boise -
Business Basics
Experience hands-on training with local entrepreneurs covering essential business topics to elevate your skills in key areas. Engage with other business leaders and operators as we learn from some of the industry's top experts together.
- Thursday, Sept. 26 Sales & E-commerce with Inspiir Media's Dallas Crum
- Wednesday, Oct. 30 Marketing with CWI's Emily Tetz
- Tuesday, Nov. 12 Topic and Speaker TBD
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Field Trips
Explore the wonders of local businesses with us as we meet with leaders, tour their facilities, and see their craft in action. Uncover the hidden gems in our community on these hands-on field trips, and gain firsthand insights into the amazing work happening right here at home.
- Friday, Oct. 25 – In Time Tec
- Thursday, Nov. 14 – TBD
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First Steps
Take part in inspiring gatherings where you will learn from the personal stories of local entrepreneurs and their journeys to starting successful businesses. Hear about the highs and lows of their early steps, and discover the unique paths each entrepreneur has taken. Connect with remarkable local leaders as they share their experiences.
- Thursday, Sept. 19 Nick Crabbs from Vynyl
- Friday, Oct. 18 Nick Boban from Craft Lounge
- Thursday, Nov. 7 Cheri and Josh Hoeger from Saalt
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Nampa Business Day
Join us in the heart of Downtown Nampa for one of the year’s most anticipated events — Nampa Business Day. CWI students and community members are invited to a half-day packed with engaging speakers, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking opportunities. Gain practical insights on running your business and be inspired by powerful messages about the impact of entrepreneurship. This is a must-attend event for creators, entrepreneurs, business owners, side hustlers, and leaders alike.
- Thursday, Nov. 21
Location TBD
- Thursday, Nov. 21
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November Showcase and Competition
Show off your idea, side hustle, or business and even have a chance to win prize money to help support your venture! CWI students will be highlighting their ventures through elevator pitches, displays, and more at the November Showcase. The finalists will get to share from the big stage later that night and have a chance to win a $1000 grand prize and golden tickets to the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge to support their ventures. Come for an inspiring evening and be surrounded by amazing ideas!
Event Details
Date: Thursday, Nov. 21
Location: Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
Set Up: 6:15 p.m.
Doors Open: 7 p.m.Participation Details
Participants will present one-on-one with attendees and judges and create presentation diagrams to highlight their idea. Top finalists will be expected to share their business idea on stage in front of a crowd.
- Apply to the Entrepreneur Lab Showcase
- Have a 15-minute conversation with an Entrepreneur Lab staff member to confirm details.
- Have a side hustle, personal venture, or business idea.
- Ideas could include things like selling flowers at a farmers market booth, creating a YouTube page featuring your expertise on skateboarding, or starting a restaurant in downtown Nampa.
- From your idea, create presentation materials that will be featured on 3x2 tabletop.
- Items could include poster boards, physical prototypes, brochures, audio/visual displays, etc.
- Create a 30-second elevator pitch describing your idea.
- Be prepared to answer questions and talk in depth about your idea.
Remote Participation:
Offered only to students needing it for grading purposes. Remote participants will not be eligible for the grand prize or golden tickets to the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge.Absent Student Submission Guidelines:
- Submit a 30-Second Elevator Pitch Video for your business idea
- Include Supporting Materials (any documents or presentation materials you would have used at the Showcase i.e. slides, images, or other display elements)
- Participate in a Feedback Call with Kenton Lee where he will review your materials and schedule a phone call to provide feedback and give you a score based on the same criteria used for in-person participants
Submit materials by Nov. 13 to entrepreneurlab@cwi.edu. All feedback calls will be scheduled to take place before Thanksgiving break.
