SUU’s Larry H. & Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship Hosts 2025 State Bank Business Challenge

Published: December 03, 2025 | Author: Taylen Hadlock | Read Time: 3 minutes

Award recipients pose together with their award certificates.The Larry H. and Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Southern Utah University’s Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business was honored to host the State Bank Business Challenge once again. This premier event is part of the One Utah Summit, a biannual gathering where Utah’s top leaders and decision-makers address economic challenges, particularly in rural areas. The State Bank Business Challenge provides an exciting opportunity for small business startups and aspiring entrepreneurs to gain recognition, financial support, and valuable mentorship.

The competition follows a pitch-style format. In the initial round, participants are given 90 seconds to present their business ideas, followed by an additional 60 seconds of Q&A with the judges. The six contestants with the highest scores advance to the final round, culminating in a presentation before a panel of esteemed judges. 

The challenge offers $50,000 worth of cash prizes generously donated by State Bank of Southern Utah, Start Up Utah, and Goldman Sachs. In combination with the semi-finals, several scholarships are awarded in the Masters of Business Creation from the University of Utah. Additional mentoring opportunities and service based prizes are offered during the final round of the competition held in conjunction with the One Utah Summit.

This year, the competition hosted over thirty different competitors, each representing a wide variety of businesses offering unique products and one-of-a-kind services. The event was judged by a prestigious panel of six experts with diverse experience and backgrounds, including:

  • Jefferson Moss, Director, Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
  • Trevor Anderson, President and CEO of State Bank of Southern Utah 
  • John Mogle, CEO of Fierce Firearms, Rizzini Shotguns, and Hunting Illustration
  • Ed Latimore, Former Professional Boxer, Author, and Founder of Mind and Fist
  • Ruth Todd, Executive Vice President of Bonneville International Corporation
  • Mary Pearson, Chief Financial Officer of Southern Utah University

This year’s competition showcased an inspiring lineup of entrepreneurs whose creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills impressed judges and audience members alike.

Overall Winner & Startup State Champion:
 Keva Locks – Recognized as the overall winner and Startup State Champion, Keva Locks was commended by Representative Jefferson Moss for “addressing real problems and having great market potential” They won the $15,000 grand prize along with $2,000 in cash and three hours of legal assistance from Loot and Law. The company also shared an additional $2,000 award with Duct-Aid, recognizing their collaborative spirit and impact-driven business models.

Audience Choice Award:
Duct-Aid – Winner of the $5,000 Audience Choice Award, Duct-Aid was celebrated for its emergency-use duct tape, created for quick and reliable aid in critical situations. The team also received $2,000 in cash and an additional $2,000 shared with Infusion Hero. Duct-Aid earned the “Adventure Favors the Yeti” prize, which includes $2,000 in marketing support from Adventure Yeti, and was selected by Ed Latimore for the Hard Lessons Workshop Award for personal mentorship, accompanied by a $3,000 prize. 

Additional Finalists:

  • Infusion Hero – Honored as Best Student Business, Infusion Hero received the ELC Student Choice Award for $3,000 and an additional $1500 cash award for its healthcare innovation improving patient comfort and efficiency during IV therapy.
  • Verso AI, LLC – Winner of the Best Communication Award for its focus on “Keeping Kids Safe.” Verso AI also received $3,000 in cash and three hours of professional accounting support. 
  • Bee Calm Buzzzers – Awarded $1,500 for its wellness-focused, sensory-friendly devices designed to help individuals manage anxiety and stress.
  • Bear Valley Tactical – Recipient of $1,500 cash Prize and the “Fire and Ice” prize package, including products from Solo Stove and Soda Beers, recognizing its durable, high-performance outdoor and tactical gear and a cash prize of $3000

The State Bank Business Challenge, sponsored by State Bank of Southern Utah, is an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, build networks, and secure resources to grow their ventures. For more information on the One Utah Summit and next year’s State Bank Business Challenge, visit the One Utah Summit.

Tags: Entrepreneurship School of Business Community Academic

Contact Information:

Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu