
Events

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Upcoming Event
MSU $100K VC Competition, April 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Bozeman
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Photos
See albums of our past receptions, CEO roundtables, and presentations.
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Videos
See video recordings of webinars, trainings, and panel discussions.
Upcoming Events
University of Montana Hire Griz! Spring Career Fair 2025 - 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 2nd, UC Ballroom, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula
2025 Montana STEM Summit - Thursday, April 3rd - Friday, April 4th, Great Northern Hotel, 835 Great Northern Blvd., Helena
SkillsUSA Montana State Leadership & Skills Conference - Thursday, April 3rd - Sunday, April 6th, Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena, 400 3rd St NW, Great Falls
36th Annual UM John Ruffatto Startup Challenge - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 4th, University Center Theater, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula
SkillsUSA Montana Job Fair & Career Expo - 8:30 a.m., Saturday, April 5th, Pacific Steel & Recycling Arena, 400 3rd St NW, Great Falls
Innovator’s Bootcamp with Perkins Coie - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 16th, University of Montana - University Center (UC) 331 (3rd Floor), 32 Campus Drive, Missoula
MMEC Next Level Manufacturing Excellence Workshop - Tuesday, April 22nd - Thursday, April 24th, MMEC Conference Room, 2310 University Way Bldg. 2, Suite 1, Bozeman
2025 MSU $100K Venture Capital Competition - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 24th, Inspiration Hall, Montana State University Norm Asbjornson Hall, West Grant Street, Bozeman
Aaniiih Nakoda Workforce Expo 2025 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 30th, Fort Belknap Bingo Hall / TERO Office, 400 Agency Main St., Harlem
2025 World Trade & Investment Day - 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 7th, Northern Hotel, 19 North Broadway, Billings
Montana Festival - Wednesday, May 14th - Saturday, May 17th, Downtown Bozeman
2025 Investing in Montana Summit - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Thursday, June 12th, AC Hotel by Marriott, 110 North Tracy Avenue, Bozeman
All Events

2025 SXSW Pitch Competition
What: Global pitch competition for technology startups
When: Saturday, March 8th - Sunday, March 9th
Where: Austin, Texas
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT:
SXSW Pitch returns for its 17th year to showcase some of the global startup ecosystem's most exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge technology.
2025 SXSW Pitch Categories
AgTech & Food
Enterprise, Smart Data, FinTech & Future of Work
Entertainment, Media, Sports & Content
Extended Reality, Web3, Voice & Robotics
HealthTech, MedTech, BioTech & Accessibility
Innovative World Tech
Security, GovTech & Space
Smart Cities, Transportation & Sustainability
Student Startups
SXSW Pitch Eligibility Criteria
The company’s product and/or service must have been conceived no earlier than January 1, 2022.
Each company may only enter one product or service into SXSW Pitch. A company that enters multiple products or services is not eligible to participate in SXSW Pitch.
Startups are encouraged to apply to multiple SXSW competitions — SXSW Pitch, SXSW Innovative Awards, and SXSW EDU Launch (if you are an education-related startup). But because we want to showcase as many different compelling startups as possible at SXSW, know that your startup will only be selected as a finalist in one of these three competitions.
Founders of the company applying must retain some portion of ownership.
The Company must not have raised over ten (10) Million Dollars in funding from combined funding sources.
Startups should be legally registered and compliant with all relevant regulations and laws in their respective jurisdictions.
The product or service must fall into one of the SXSW Pitch categories.
For SXSW Pitch inquiries, please contact michelle[at]sxsw.com

2024 Stibitz-Wilson Awards
What: Free community event hosted by the American Computer & Robotics Museum honoring past and present innovators at the cutting edge of the computational and biological sciences.
When: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20th
Where: The ELM Theater, 506 N. 7th Avenue, Bozeman, MT 59715
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT:
For more than twenty years, the Stibitz-Wilson Awards have recognized insightful men and women whose work has powerfully impacted modern life. This year’s event, Code to Cure: Visionaries at the Nexus of Medicine and Technology, celebrates medical innovators who are working at the leading edge of technology to improve human health and surgical outcomes.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are free, and seating is first-come, first-served. This year’s honorees include Maya Ajmera, Dr. Charles Limb, Dr. Russell Taylor, and Dr. Irving Weissman.
About the 2024 Honorees:
Maya Ajmera
Maya Ajmera is the president and CEO of the Society for Science, a prolific author of children's books, and a STEM champion whose dedication to fostering a generation of critical thinkers has shaped global scientific discourse and significantly impacted educational outcomes.
Dr. Charles Limb
Dr. Charles Limb is the director of the UCSF Douglas Grant Cochlear Implant Center. His innovative work in auditory prosthetics and brain mapping has opened new avenues for the integration of medicine and technology in enhancing human health and well-being.
Dr. Russell Taylor
Dr. Russell Taylor directs the Johns Hopkins Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics and the NSF Engineering Research Center for Computer-Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology. His groundbreaking contributions to medical robotics have revolutionized modern surgical procedures.
Dr. Irving Weissman
Dr. Irving Weissman is the Professor of Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research and Professor of Developmental Biology at Stanford University. He is celebrated for his transformative contributions to stem cell biology and cancer research. Dr. Weissman is also a Montana native and a graduate of Montana State University.

UM Biotech Career Expo: High-demand Jobs Merging Life Sciences and Technology
What: Career presentations and networking with UM students and Montana biotech employers, co-hosted by the University of Montana College of Humanities and Sciences, Missoula College, University of Montana College of Business, and the Montana High Tech Business Alliance
Who: Open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all University of Montana campuses and Montana BioTech employers
When: 2:15 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 15th
Where: Missoula College, room 340 (3rd Floor) 1205 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT:
Would you like a career where you can help humanity AND work with cutting-edge technology? Montana’s bioscience industry ranks sixth in the nation for growth, with a median wage of $75,500 (UM BBER, 2022). This fast-growing, high-paying sector includes companies engaged in:
Medical research, testing, and laboratories
Drug development, pharmaceuticals, and clinical trials
Medical devices and equipment manufacturing
Agricultural and industrial biosciences
HealthTech software, data analytics, and telemedicine
Whether you love microscopes, machines, code, art, spreadsheets, or people, Montana’s burgeoning BioTech sector offers opportunities for varied education levels and fields of study.
The UM BioTech Career Expo will introduce students to Montana employers and help you understand the specific steps you can take, and what skills are needed, to get from where you are into a great internship, research position, or job in BioTech.
Guest Speakers:
Erik Guzik, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Founder, PatientOne - advanced digital technology solutions for connected care
Moses Leavens, Ph.D., Protein Biochemist, McLaughlin Research Institute - a center for neurogenetic research on Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other degenerative nerve diseases.
April Malan, Chief Operating Officer, Montana Pediatrics - physician innovators working together to improve access to high-quality pediatric care for Montana families
Sarj Patel, Ph.D., President, FYR Diagnostics - development of the next generation of liquid biopsy solutions
Annie Roberts, Sales & Logistics Manager, Rocky Mountain Biologicals - complete cell culture provider specializing in media supplements, sera and protein fractions
Rob Wissenbach, Chief Information Officer, Bitterroot Health - providing the Bitterroot Valley with exceptional and accessible care for nearly 100 years
Advance registration is required. Please complete Student & Faculty RSVP by Mon., Feb. 12, 2024. For questions, please contact Melissa Paulsen at melissa.paulsen[at]mthightech.org.
EMPLOYER REGISTRATION
Looking to increase your pipeline of skilled employees and interns that are a good fit for your company?
The UM BioTech Career Expo puts your company center stage, featuring one of your employees on a panel of select tech professionals. By telling your own story to an audience from varied fields of study, you can attract more diverse and motivated individuals excited about what you do.
You can also influence the local education system, helping students and faculty understand the skills and experience you want to see in future applicants.
Space on the stage is limited to just six companies across two panels, so register early to secure your seat. Registration links will be sent via email to all Alliance members.
Employer sponsors are invited to nominate speakers from your team, and event organizers will select panelists from varied companies, job titles, and backgrounds.
The cost of this year’s event for employers is $150 per company, or $100 for members of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. The registration fee supports event costs and comes with the following benefits:
One speaker slot on a tech employer panel (applications required, space is limited)
3 additional tickets for your team (4 total)
One parking pass for your dashboard (mailed to you if you enter a mailing address, or you can pick it up on-site when you arrive)
One booth space. Includes a 2.5 ft by 5 ft table with two chairs. You are welcome to bring tablecloths, banners, displays, and recruiting materials. Outlets are available throughout the room.
Host Sponsorship:
Join us in supporting Montana’s future bioscience workforce by sponsoring our UM BioTech Career Expo! Host sponsors will have additional opportunities to showcase your company.
Host Sponsor $1,000
Employer event registration and all listed benefits
Up to 8 total attendees from your team
Opportunity to give brief remarks to attendees during the program
Priority placement on tech employer panel
Verbal recognition of your company as a host sponsor at the event
Logo on advertising materials as an event host
Signage with your company logo displayed at the event
First choice of venue table location
For questions, please contact Executive Director Christina Henderson at director[at]mthightech.org.