College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Entrepreneur Lab awarded $8,000 to student, staff, and community entrepreneurs during the Spring 2026 OtterTank Showcase and Competition, presented by First Federal Bank, on April 22 at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB).
Hosted twice each year by the CWI Entrepreneur Lab, OtterTank is an energetic showcase inspired by the television series "Shark Tank." Students, employees, and community members pitch business ideas, side hustles, and early-stage ventures through elevator pitches, interactive displays, and live presentations, all for a chance to win prize funding and audience support.
“This competition really captures what we’re all about at CWI, giving people the space to explore ideas, feel supported, and try something new,” said Kenton Lee, Director of the CWI Entrepreneur Lab. “OtterTank shows just how much talent and creativity there is in our community when we give entrepreneurs the right tools and encouragement.”
Leading up to the event, the Entrepreneur Lab works closely with participants, providing mentorship and hands-on guidance to refine business plans, strengthen value propositions, and test new concepts. During the showcase, attendees and judges got a firsthand look at the creativity thriving within the Entrepreneur Lab, while audience members helped determine the evening’s Crowd Favorite award.
Grand Prize Winner – $3,000
- PurposeBuilt PCs – Jacoby Morrissey, Nathan McLaren, Isaiah McDonald
Business Idea: A teen-led custom PC building company offering consulting, custom builds, cleaning, and troubleshooting services. The team recognized that many prebuilt PC companies focus primarily on gamers and wanted to create a service that better supports a wider range of users. Clients provide a budget and intended use, and PurposeBuilt PCs designs and builds a computer tailored to their needs.
The team also earned the Crowd Favorite award, receiving an additional $250 prize.
$1,000 Winners
- Hardymade, LLC – Mike and Stacy Hardy
- Windforce Interactive – Brady Sligar and Elias Warren
$500 Winners
- Katelyn Myers Photographer – Katelyn Myers
- Gutierrez Family Farms – Rick and Sharon Gutierrez
- TakeItEZ.biz – Oscar T. Perales
- Rash Leadership Development – Jessica Rash
$250 Winners
- Humanitarian Aid & Support Network (HASNet) – Kevin Irankunda
- Mill Creek Machine, LLC – Justin Moore
- Stephanie Walker
CWI’s Entrepreneur Lab operates as a hub for innovation, offering students and the community the tools, resources, and mentorship required to thrive in today’s entrepreneurial landscape. OtterTank not only celebrates creativity and drive but also strengthens connections between the College and the local business community through pitch preparation, one-on-one coaching, and continued engagement through entrepreneurial cohorts.
As the showcase continues to grow, CWI remains committed to helping students and community members turn ideas into action and build stronger connections between education, innovation, and local business leadership.
