Some Idaho youth face challenges that often go unseen. Jared Lopez is working on changing that. The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Admissions Counselor and alumnus’ efforts earned him the grand prize of $1,000 at the College’s Fall 2025 OtterTank competition for his business, the Idaho Underground, an after-school program supporting students facing socioeconomic and personal hardships.
Hosted by CWI’s Entrepreneur Lab and presented by First Federal Bank, OtterTank gives students, staff, and community members the opportunity to pitch ideas, connect with local business leaders, and compete for funding to grow their ventures. Participants also receive feedback from experienced judges, and the audience votes for a Crowd Favorite award.
Lopez’s venture focuses on providing high impact, hands-on learning opportunities for students who might be dealing with bullying, poverty, or other obstacles. Through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community programs, the Idaho Underground supplements existing programs with activities ranging from sports and life skills to arts, music, dance, and mentorship.
“The goal isn’t to do it all for the students, it’s to enrich the programs already in place,” Lopez said. “Every program is different, for those few hours that we’re with these students a week, that’s sometimes the only thing they have. We come in, provide support, and help leave the program stronger than we found it.”
The organization started with Lopez alone but now includes a team of nine, with four employees and five volunteers. Employees and volunteers are carefully selected and trained, including learning how to connect students with resources and support when challenges arise. Lopez emphasizes that building trust with students is at the heart of the program.
“One of the most meaningful moments is when a student feels safe enough to open up,” he said. “They will look at you as a guardian or a caregiver. It’s a reminder of why this work matters.”
Lopez credits much of his approach to mentorship to a former manager who encouraged him to share his personal story and use his experiences to connect with others.
"If it were not for him, I would not have been in the position I am in today. As a grant writer, mentor, and key in changing lives."
He shares that his own background, including bullying, substance abuse, and other challenges, now shapes the way he works with at-risk youth.
“If I was to go to a big crowd of people and I said, ‘Raise your hand if anybody’s going through depression,’ how many do you think would honestly raise their hand? Very little. But if I went out there and shared my story, now suddenly, we connect without even realizing it.”
For Lopez, OtterTank was an unexpected step. He first heard about the competition while giving a tour to local high school students on campus. When a student saw a sign about the competition and asked Lopez if he was going to compete, he said yes — not only to participate but to show the student what is possible. That same student later joined him at OtterTank to present and became a volunteer for Idaho Underground.
“The Entrepreneur Lab made the process simple and professional,” Lopez said. “They provided guidance when I needed it, helped with logistics, and connected me with mentors and judges. Being on stage was an opportunity to showcase what we’re doing and get feedback that actually matters.”
Lopez donated his OtterTank winnings back to student programming at a local high school, reinforcing the mission of the Idaho Underground: to support students and local programs.
Looking ahead, Lopez hopes to expand the Idaho Underground to reach more students across Idaho and eventually beyond. He continues to balance his work as a CWI Admissions Counselor with running the program and is exploring the possibility of making it a full-time venture.
“Every student we can reach, every program we can strengthen, makes this worth it,” Lopez said. “The Entrepreneur Lab has given us an opportunity to showcase what we’re doing, and I hope to keep building on that foundation for years to come.”
For students and community members interested in starting a venture or getting support for an idea, the CWI Entrepreneur Lab offers workshops, mentorship, and pitch competitions like OtterTank to provide guidance, connections, and opportunities to bring those ideas to life.
The next OtterTank Showcase and Competition, presented by First Federal Bank, is on Wednesday, April 22. To learn more or attend, visit Spring 2026 OtterTank's Eventbrite page. Apply to pitch your business idea by completing the Spring 2026 OtterTank form.
