Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition at FLC

Celebrating 10 years of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Hawk Tank is Fort Lewis College’s annual business plan competition, where bold ideas turn into real opportunities. Students, recent alumni, San Juan College participants, and regional high school students compete for cash prizes, scholarships, and startup funding while building practical entrepreneurial skills.

With guidance from advisors, support from community sponsors, and feedback from experienced judges, participants develop and pitch original business ideas in a real-world competition environment.

View upcoming workshops and information sessions

 

Hawk Tank Business Plan Competition

 
10th Anniversary 

Sign up for Hawk Tank 2026

Why compete in Hawk Tank

Hawk Tank is more than a competition. 

  1. Compete for cash prizes and scholarships 
  2. Receive feedback from entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community professionals 
  3. Build real-world experience developing and pitching a business idea 
  4. Access workshops, information sessions, and optional mentorship 

How Hawk Tank works 

Hawk Tank runs from January through April and guides participants through every stage of the process, from idea development to final pitch. Participants can expect: 

  • Kick-off events and information sessions 
  • Hands-on workshops covering business planning, finance, and market analysis 
  • Mentorship and preparation opportunities 
  • A final pitch competition with cash prizes and scholarships

View upcoming workshops and events

Registration opens in January. Workshops and mentorship take place throughout February and March. Final business plan submissions are due in late March, with the pitch competition held in April.

Sign up for Hawk Tank 2026

Congratulations to the 2025 Hawk Tank winners!

Overall Winner

Noise Hub (Joey DeMartino): An audio studio for production, voice-overs, and creative support, winning the grand prize by beating the FLC winner.

FLC Track winners

  • 1st place ($5,000):  Skoden Farms (Kiera McCabe) - Blue corn granola & snacks using traditional Indigenous ingredients.
  • 2nd place ($2,500): Hangxiety App (Kahlil Ballenger) - A nightlife safety app.
  • 3rd place ($1,000): Hanhepi Wi Resort (Rosie Foolhead & Michael Dillon) - An ecotourism resort on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

San Juan College winners

  • 1st place ($5,000): Noise Hub (Joey DeMartino) - Took the top prize in this track before winning the overall.
  • 2nd place ($2,500): L.R.A.R.S. (Benjamin Selph & Erik Westover) - A rescue device for carrying injured people from rough terrain.
  • 3rd place ($1,000): Airtrez (Andres Garcia & Ellen Narvaez) - Business support/automation for small companies.

Alumni Track winners

  • 1st place ($5,000): Blue Castle (Jeremy Schmit) - A mountain bike freeride event company.

High School Track winners

  • 1st place ($500/student plus scholarship): Rent to Teachers, Jude Alderton - An app to help teachers and first responders find affordable homes.
  • 2nd place ($250/student plus scholarship): Green Clothes Designs, Gabriella Cowan, and Mira Quayle - A fashion company that redesigns old clothes from landfills into new outfits.
  • 3rd place ($100/student plus scholarship): Apps, Aletta Holley, Marley Huwer, and Nicolina Lasher - A restaurant concept offering healthy, local food in small portions to reduce waste.
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