Where Are They Now? Success Stories from Casper Start-Up Challenge Alumni

Quip Network – Colton Dillion

When Colton Dillion – founder and CEO of Quip Network – took the stage at the 2025 Casper Start‑Up Challenge, he presented a bold, forward-looking solution to a rapidly emerging technical problem. Quip Network addresses the looming threat that quantum computing poses to existing blockchain security – a concern echoed by security experts, since quantum-enabled attacks could eventually compromise the cryptographic foundations (private/public-key encryption) that underlie most cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Rather than passively waiting for protocol-level updates, Quip’s approach emphasizes proactive, “quantum-resistant” vault-first storage for digital assets that works across blockchains – offering investors and institutions a way to safeguard holdings before vulnerability becomes reality.

What makes Colton’s achievement especially meaningful is that he chose to build this cutting-edge venture right here in Casper. By doing so, he isn’t just backing a promising technology; he’s also helping demonstrate that world-class, forward-thinking innovation can flourish outside traditional tech hubs. Quip Network’s recognition as a Start-Up Challenge winner shines a spotlight on Casper’s growing ecosystem for next-generation ventures. For local residents and investors, Colton’s success signals that entrepreneurship here doesn’t have to replicate existing models. It can lead the way into new frontiers, combining global relevance, technological ambition, and community roots.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

We had been operating for less than a year, so we had only just built our minimum viable product software to demo for quantum computing partners and potential enterprise customers. We had a few customers that had signed letters of intent to work together, but we were still pre-revenue and working toward definitive agreements.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

Getting involved with the community through the Casper Start-Up Challenge has been a great way to get connected with key partners like Casper College, as well as the broader Wyoming startup ecosystem, and to benefit from the experience and insights of a number of Casper entrepreneurs. Honestly, it was also really helpful in honing our pitch to be more understandable by a broad audience. It’s hard to compress quantum computing, cryptography, and tokenization into a ten minute pitch!

What’s next for Quip?

We’re hoping to close a round of funding to test our network publicly and build a developer community around our software, then set up all the legal infrastructure and partnerships for our mainnet launch next year. We’re also hoping to connect with major national labs to set up quantum interconnects between Casper and Albuquerque.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We’re incredibly grateful to the Advance Casper team and all the participants in the Casper Start-Up Challenge for supporting local entrepreneurs and making it just a little easier to get organized and get started.

Favor App – Jesse & Bailey Owens

FavorApp stood out in the 2025 Casper Start-Up Challenge for its simple but powerful mission: connecting neighbors who need a helping hand with those willing to lend one. Whether that means helping with moving, repairs, yard work, or small household tasks, FavorApp allows users in our community to post “favors” they need done — and lets others meet them directly. What makes the app especially meaningful is its emphasis on community, trust, and accessibility: for tasks big and small, FavorApp offers a way for people to support each other, build stronger local networks, and get things done without complicated logistics or red tape.

By winning the Casper Start-Up Challenge, Jesse and Bailey Owens demonstrated not only entrepreneurial spirit but a clear commitment to community-centered innovation. Their win signals that meaningful business ideas don’t always have to be high-tech or flashy – sometimes what a community needs most is a simple, trustworthy tool that helps neighbors help neighbors. FavorApp’s success reflects the growing diversity of Casper’s startup ecosystem and reinforces the idea that small, local solutions can have real impact.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

FavorApp already had a proven concept and had released in the Casper area as of March 2025. Prior to the CSUC we were gearing up for app development and to release in a larger metropolitan area. 

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

CSUC was great for networking. This is our fourth business that we have created so we did not benefit much from the bootcamp in lieu of new knowledge but the networking and exposure to other companies, ideas and entrepreneurs was awesome. Sometimes entrepreneurs become discouraged and burnt out that they lose sight of their vision and what they want to create. The CSUC is a great ignitor to motivate and influence entrepreneurs to innovate with confidence and passion. We were able to improve our pitch deck which will allow us to apply for other grants and funding throughout the State of Wyoming.

What’s next for Favor App?

We will be releasing a mobile iOS and Android app version of FavorApp in a larger city to grow our user base.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We’re incredibly grateful to the Advance Casper team and all the participants in the Casper Start-Up Challenge for supporting local entrepreneurs and making it just a little easier to get organized and get started.

PSYOS.AI – Dave & Annie Martorano

PSYOS.AI, founded by Dave and Annie Martorano, was recognized as one of the standout winners of the Casper Start-Up Challenge for its groundbreaking approach to behavioral health technology. The platform is an advanced behavioral health EHR system designed to enhance clinical decision-making through intelligent AI integration. Built with Claude through Amazon Bedrock, PSYOS.AI delivers real-time decision support that empowers clinicians to provide more precise, personalized mental-health care. Its infrastructure incorporates agentic AI architecture, vector databases with Pinecone, and DocumentDB for optimized performance, enabling seamless access to information and deeper contextual understanding. By combining sophisticated RAG implementations with MCP protocols, PSYOS.AI transforms how providers access insights, manage patient data, and make critical treatment decisions at the point of care.

For the founders, the mission behind PSYOS.AI goes beyond building innovative software – it’s about addressing real gaps in behavioral health systems and enabling clinicians to work smarter, not harder. Dave and Annie are building a platform that meets the complexity of modern mental-health treatment while removing friction for healthcare professionals. Their success in the Start-Up Challenge underscores not only the technical sophistication of their product, but the growing entrepreneurial capacity within Casper to generate solutions with national impact. PSYOS.AI illustrates how visionary founders, supported by a strong local ecosystem, can build transformative health technology from right here in Wyoming – proof that frontier-level innovation isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

We’re in the exciting early startup phase, actively developing our product while cultivating relationships with potential alpha partners. The timing of the CSUC was perfect as we were ready to refine our vision and accelerate our go-to-market strategy.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

The one-on-one mentorship with Eric Schlidt and the intensive Bootcamp sessions were transformative. Through these experiences, we crystallized our value proposition and developed a powerful analogy that instantly resonates with stakeholders: We show them how aircraft cockpits evolved from overwhelming arrays of gauges, dials, and switches to today’s streamlined, intuitive interfaces. That’s exactly what PsyOS is bringing to behavioral health – a next-generation interface powered by cutting-edge AI technology that enables providers to focus on what matters most: their patients, not paperwork.

What’s next for PSYOS?

We’re heading to HIMSS 2026 in Las Vegas this March – the healthcare IT industry’s most important annual gathering. This will be PsyOS’s official market debut. We’re entering multiple pitch competitions and creating an interactive booth experience where healthcare leaders can get hands-on with our technology and experience firsthand how we’re revolutionizing the behavioral health EHR landscape.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The CSUC provided incredible momentum for our team. It’s both humbling and energizing to have respected local leaders invest their time in evaluating our vision and providing strategic guidance. Their belief in PsyOS reinforces our conviction that we’re solving a critical problem in behavioral healthcare delivery

Lovely Lemon Juice Co. – Anna Studer

What started as a small summer market hobby has grown into a thriving juice bar and health hub in the Casper community! Anna’s passion for wellness and fresh, whole ingredients shines through in every bottle of cold-pressed juice, superfood smoothie, and nutrient-packed snack she creates.

The Lovely Lemon has built a loyal following of health-conscious locals, busy families, and athletes looking for delicious, feel-good fuel. Whether you need a hydrating juice, a superfood smoothie, or a wholesome snack to keep you going, Anna and her team are here to bring the flavor and the good vibes!

Where was your business before the CSUC?

Before the challenge, my business was a small operation running out of a basement kitchen. It was an idea rooted in my passion to be a healthy mom and was meant to be a summertime hobby that bloomed into a full-time business.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

Since I never actually meant to start a business, I needed help! My education and training are in School Counseling and I had an amazing career for 13 years in education. But, since I had zero experience in business, the Start-Up Challenge was a fundamental part of starting and growing my juice business. With the Start-Up, I realized my potential and natural abilities to become a thriving business owner. This was something I would never have thought would be part of my future and CSUC showed me that I could in fact pursue this path.

How did the Casper Start-Up Challenge help you expand and get you to where you are currently today?

The Start-Up Challenge taught me A LOT, but one of the most significant parts of the experience were the connections and support I received. I was given networking opportunities and ideas that I may not have encountered on my own. The Challenge helped me to gain confidence to keep going and to see where my business may end up. Speaking to others who had been in the program and to the other CSUC participants was an instrumental part of my learning.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m forever grateful for the opportunity I was afforded through the Challenge and would love to be involved again in some way. It was a life-changing experience and one I will always credit as the foundation of my success story. Thank you!

Chilly Dip Ice Spas – Josh Kalinowski

Chilly Dip Ice Spas designs and builds high-quality cold immersion tubs for athletes, wellness enthusiasts, and recovery-minded customers. With a mission to make cold therapy accessible and enjoyable, Chilly Dip blends craftsmanship with health science to deliver a premium at-home recovery experience embraced by fitness communities nationwide.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

Before the Casper Start-Up Challenge, Chilly Dip Ice Spas was a crazy idea with a lot of passion behind it, but without strategic support to take it to the next level. We had a compelling product and a big vision, but we were still in the early stages of figuring out how to position ourselves in the market and scale the business with confidence.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

The experience with the Casper Start-Up Challenge was truly transformational. It pushed us to refine our messaging, identify and elevate the right leaders within our company, and develop a clear go-to-market strategy. The mentorship, workshops, and exposure we received gave us a level of clarity and professionalism that accelerated our momentum.
One of the most impactful elements was the encouragement and support we received from the entire team behind the challenge. They not only believed in our concept, but they also equipped us to believe in ourselves. Through their guidance, we sharpened our pitch, built a stronger operational foundation, and started to see the broader possibilities of what Chilly Dip could become.

How did the Casper Start-Up Challenge help you expand and get to where you are currently today?

The challenge opened doors we never knew existed. From connections to funding sources to introductions to key business networks, the exposure we gained has directly contributed to our growth. We’ve received additional funding, forged strategic partnerships, and gained access to opportunities that simply wouldn’t have been possible without the CSUC platform. Most importantly, the challenge gave us the confidence that we could succeed not just with a great product, but with a business that could scale, serve, and make a meaningful impact.

Bullfrog Recruiting Solutions – Heidi Foy

Bullfrog Recruiting understands the unique challenges faced by college rodeo athletes and coaches in today’s competitive landscape. Founded with the college rodeo athlete in mind, the platform was designed to bridge the gap between talented athletes and coaches seeking top talent. Whether you’re an athlete striving for your next rodeo scholarship or a coach looking to discover your next star recruit, Bullfrog Recruiting is here to help you succeed.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

Bullfrog Recruiting was born from a deep belief that the relationships that we build are crucial to our lives. We believe that rural student-athletes deserve the same opportunities as those in more visible sports. I knew firsthand how many talented rodeo athletes were slipping through the cracks simply because there wasn’t a system built for them. That’s my why. Before the Casper Start-Up Challenge, I had built the “what” — a functioning portal — but I hadn’t given myself permission to dream big enough. I saw the problem clearly but hadn’t yet explored just how expansive the solution could become.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

The Challenge gave me the push to let my brain go where my heart already was. For the first time, I felt like I could really own the idea — not just as a helpful tool, but as a movement that could transform recruiting for rural athletes. Through pitch coaching, mentorship, and exposure, I began refining not just what we do, but how we do it: by focusing on relationships over transactions, clarity over chaos, and fit over flash. The Challenge uncovered expansion opportunities I hadn’t dared to name out loud — like launching a full agriculture recruiting division — and gave me the confidence to chase them.

How did the Casper Start-Up Challenge help you expand and get you to where you are currently today?

The momentum we have now — interns, partnerships, national reach — all traces back to the clarity I gained during the Challenge. It helped me shape Bullfrog into something scalable, sustainable, and aligned with our core values. I stopped playing small. I began designing for the future, not just surviving the now. The exposure, resources, and belief from the CSUC team helped me see what was possible when I fully committed to this mission.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Bullfrog Recruiting is proof that small-town ideas can have big-time impact. We started in Wyoming, built by someone who knows this world inside and out, and we’re growing because we never lost sight of why we started — to serve the overlooked and build something that actually works for rural students. The Casper Start-Up Challenge helped me believe that was enough. That it was worth building. And now we’re doing just that — one student, one coach, one connection at a time.

SLP Tools – Auston Larson

SLP Tools is an innovative online platform designed to make the lives of speech-language pathologists easier. The platform streamlines therapy planning, session documentation, and resource management, saving SLPs time and improving patient outcomes.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

Before the Casper Start-Up Challenge, we were in a pre-beta stage with very limited exposure. We hadn’t yet opened the doors for people to actually try out our product. We had participated in the gener8tor gBETA Wyoming program earlier in 2024, which really helped set us up to succeed with CSUC and gave us some foundational experience we could build on.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

The experience was fantastic! The CSUC bootcamp was incredibly useful – getting to learn and hear from other local entrepreneurs and professionals was eye-opening. Going through the entire CSUC process was a great experience that allowed us to hone our pitch and get comfortable presenting our ideas to others. The ongoing mentorship has been extremely helpful. Through it, we’ve learned about many other useful opportunities for Wyoming businesses, like the Wyoming Kickstart program that we’re now part of. It was also very validating to get up in front of the community and judges during pitch night and walk away as a finalist – that kind of recognition really meant a lot for our confidence and momentum.

How did the Casper Start-Up Challenge help you expand and get you to where you are currently today?

The mentorship was and continues to be incredibly useful. But the funding was immensely helpful too. We’ve been able to greatly accelerate our development by hiring contractors and we’ve started our marketing efforts with that same money. Being a finalist opened up the opportunity for us to apply for the Wyoming Kickstart Grant, which we are now a recipient of! That’s been a game-changer for us. We’ve now launched our beta and helped hundreds of SLPs do their jobs better while also getting invaluable feedback to improve our platform. We’re planning to do our full launch in the next month to align with the start of the school year when SLPs are busiest.

Anything else you’d like to add?

CSUC is an amazing opportunity for local businesses to get a real jumpstart. Between opportunities like this, as well as the many programs offered through entities like the Wyoming Business Council, it honestly feels like there’s no better time to start a business in Wyoming. There are so many resources and avenues of assistance available to entrepreneurs here. I’d really like to thank Advance Casper and CSUC for believing in our vision and providing the support we needed at exactly the right time. That kind of community backing makes all the difference.

Infinite Outdoors – Sam Seeton

Infinite Outdoors is a digital platform connecting outdoor enthusiasts with private landowners, unlocking exclusive access to hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities across the U.S. The company pairs technology with conservation, offering landowners new revenue streams while preserving habitats and wildlife.

Where was your business before the Casper Start-Up Challenge?

Before 2022, Infinite Outdoors was still in its early growth phase. Founded in around 2020 by myself (Sam Seeton) and David Rhine—with roots stemming from shared engineering undergraduate experience at the Colorado School of Mines and early traction from local users—the Infinite Outdoors platform had begun connecting private landowners with outdoor enthusiasts. Infinite had already listed around a quarter-million acres across Wyoming and Colorado and was handling first bookings, but we were still building infrastructure, refining the app, and reinvesting capital into scaling software and conservation partnerships.

Your experience at the Casper Start-Up Challenge

In early 2022, Infinite Outdoors became one of six finalists selected from over 40 applications to pitch at the Casper Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night. As a finalist, I engaged in months of advisory and coaching sessions before delivering my pitch at The Lyric in Casper—competing alongside other great start-ups. It was far more beneficial than I ever could have hoped for and truly changed the trajectory of Infinite Outdoors.

What was most beneficial

Winning the challenge—and specifically being named a top prize winner—delivered multiple key benefits:

• A majority share of $50,000 in seed capital, providing pivotal runway for growth.
• Invaluable coaching and mentorship that sharpened our pitch and refined our business model.
• Validation and exposure that elevated our profile in the startup ecosystem.

What you uncovered or achieved

I validated we had a scalable, high-growth idea that resonated with judges and the audience alike. The seed funding enabled us to expand listings (which now exceed 1.5 million acres), build conservation services, hire software developers, and enhance mapping technology across nearly half of the United States.

How the Casper Start-Up Challenge helped you get to where you are today

The funding accelerated our product development and user onboarding, growing our reach from a regional footprint to a national presence. The visibility gained through CSUC led to investor interest, media features, and key partnerships that continue to fuel our expansion.

Anything else you’d like to add?

This Challenge was the jump-start Infinite Outdoors needed—turning our early regional project into a high-impact, multi-state platform. Today, over a million acres are available, generating millions in revenue for landowners. We’re proud to lead the way in responsible outdoor access nationwide, and we credit much of that momentum to the Casper Start-Up Challenge.

DISA Technologies – Greyson Buckingham

DISA Technologies is revolutionizing mineral processing with innovative technology that enables more efficient, sustainable resource recovery and mine remediation. Their approach minimizes waste while unlocking valuable materials that would otherwise be lost, positioning DISA as an innovative leader in the global mining industry.

Where was your business before the CSUC?

Before the Casper Start-Up Challenge, DISA Technologies was nothing more than an ambitious idea. We had a vision for a disruptive mineral processing technology, but no physical product, team, or capital. The Challenge gave us a real shot to turn that vision into something tangible.

Let us in on the experience you had with the Casper Start-Up Challenge. What was most beneficial? What did you uncover/achieve?

The Casper Start-Up Challenge was a game-changer. It gave us the confidence to pursue DISA full-time and the courage to invest our own personal savings into building a Wyoming-based company. We gained early funding, mentorship, and a local support system that helped us refine our business model. Most importantly, it validated that there was a real demand for what we were building.

How did the Casper Start-Up Challenge help you expand and get you to where you are today?

Winning the Challenge allowed us to prove out our initial concept and attract additional funding. That early momentum snowballed. We’ve since raised over $50 million in private capital, deployed our technology across the globe, and grown to a team of 45 employees. What began as a local idea has now become a globally relevant technology that is helping reshape how the world thinks about resource recovery and mine remediation.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We’re deeply grateful to the people of Wyoming and the local innovation ecosystem that believed in us from the very beginning. From the Breakthrough 307 investors to the team at IMPACT 307, and the broader community of supporters and mentors—none of this would’ve been possible without their early faith and commitment.