The University of Wyoming’s College of Business has begun taking applications for their “Sparktank” competition. The initiative, which supports local nonprofits, is similar to the popular show “Sharktank” where competitors attempt to woo judges with their ideas in order to receive an investment.
Sparktank is much the same but dedicated to Laramie nonprofit organizations. Competitors will need to email a video to the coordinators of the program consisting of an overview of the organization and what it does to support Albany County residents. In addition to this, the overall mission of the organization must be made clear. The organization will then be judged on several key factors. These include how committed the organization is to their ethical principles, the transparency and accountability of the group, and the program’s general viability within the community. This video must be emailed in by Nov. 13, details on who to email will be included at the end of this article.
If an organization is selected as a finalist, they will be required to participate in a practice pitch one week before the actual competition takes place, to ensure that the group is ready and willing to go. After this, if successful, they’ll advance to the actual competition where the Sparktank will choose a winner that they believe will best be able to assist the local community.
Sparktank has been a feature at the University of Wyoming since 2018 and has supported several notable nonprofit organizations. These include Family Promise, a group that provides aid to homeless and low-income families in the area, Laramie Interfaith, another group dedicated to eradicating homelessness, and Laramie Foster Closet, which helps children from difficult and different backgrounds find foster care. These are just a few of the notable organizations that have been assisted by Sparktank, and you can read about even more on their website.
The Sparktank competition offers a valuable opportunity for Laramie nonprofits to gain support and recognition for the work they do in the community. By participating, organizations not only showcase their missions but also get the chance to refine their strategies through the entire Sparktank process. With the backing of the University of Wyoming’s College of Business, Sparktank continues to be a driving force for positive change in Albany County, fostering innovative solutions to address local challenges. Nonprofits that engage in this competition have the potential to make a lasting impact, helping to strengthen and uplift the community.
If you have an idea or work for an organization that may benefit from participating in this competition, please email your pitch video to knoble@uwyo.edu.
