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Bootstrap Collaborative pitches $20,000 request to sustain Fremont County Startup Challenge
Summary
Kevin Persisnick of IDA and representatives of Bootstrap Collaborative asked Fremont County commissioners for $20,000 from the general fund to provide prize money and match existing commitments for the 2025 Startup Challenge; commissioners acknowledged program benefits but said county budget constraints may limit assistance.
Kevin Persisnick, representing the Industrial Development Authority and Bootstrap Collaborative, asked the Fremont County Board of Commissioners to consider a $20,000 contribution from the county general fund to support the 2025 Fremont County Startup Challenge.
Nut graf: With a local entrepreneurship ecosystem that produced multiple startups and at least 10 jobs among recent winners, local organizers said the contesthas momentum. They said Impact 307 and university-backed support have declined, and Bootstrap Collaborative and local partners are seeking county help to keep the competition and prize funding operating in 2025.
What presenters said: Persisnick said Bootstrap Collaborative provides mentorship, events and internships and had helped roughly 40–50 entrepreneurs apply each year. He described Impact 307 as a prior program that has ceased operations after a local funding partner reduced support; Silicon Couloir was identified as a statewide group that may help in the future. He said IDEA provided $10,000 for operations and offered $10,000 in matching funds for prizes; Persisnick requested the county consider $20,000 to cover prize money and sustain the program through 2025.
Commissioner response and budget context: Commissioners acknowledged the program—s local benefits but stressed concerns about government funding for entrepreneurship. One commissioner said the county has provided substantial prior funding (the group discussed prior allocations approaching $90,000 in earlier years) and that relying on large general-fund subsidies is not sustainable. Several commissioners said the county faces a budget shortfall driven by state-level changes; the transcript references a legislative hit described as "House Bill 169" and other budget pressures, and commissioners said the finance committee will review priorities before deciding on additional allocations. The board did not vote on the request during the meeting; staff and presenters agreed to continue communications so the county can assess available funds.
Program impact and follow-up: Persisnick said winners from recent years have created at least 10 visible jobs and that past winners now employ multiple staff. He also said organizers had not asked past winners for direct financial contributions to sustain the prize pool. The presenters asked the county to consider smaller, sustainable funding than previous large one-time allocations.
Ending: Staff advised the presenters to stay in contact with the county—s finance committee and noted the commissioners would decide as budget constraints become clearer; no appropriation was approved at the meeting.
