August 22, 2025
Every great business starts with an idea, and the Get Started: Business Idea Challenge is helping turn it into reality. Here’s a list of the August awardees who secured up to $500 in non-equity funding.
Alboom: The Photo Family Tree transforms photos of family members into high-quality buttons that can be arranged to showcase ancestors, descendants, or entire lineages. Unlike traditional framed photos that remain static, Alboom offers a dynamic, flexible display that adapts to growing and blended families. By turning memories into a living arrangement, Alboom brings generations together in one view.
Ama’s Momo is a small, family-run dumpling business based in Salt Lake City. It specializes in handcrafted dumplings inspired by Himalayan and Indian flavors, with a mission to share comfort food that’s both unique and deeply meaningful. Ama’s fillings range from savory spiced beef to vibrant vegan options made with potatoes, peas, carrots, and warming spices.
Hive Dynamics is a student-led startup developing Hornet, an autonomous AI-powered drone system designed for large-scale defensive operations. By combining low-cost hardware with advanced software, Hive delivers a solution that provides cruise-missile-level effects through highly maneuverable swarms — offering a cheaper and more scalable alternative to traditional military systems.
Paloma is a platform that empowers small to mid-sized direct-to-consumer brands to take control of the post-purchase experience. Through integrations with major carriers and CRM systems, Paloma delivers branded, automated shipping notifications that keep customers informed every step of the way. While providing actionable analytics, the platform unlocks new opportunities for engagement and upselling.
Olympia Games is a social mobile app that connects friends through fun, risk-free competition across mini-games covering sports, pop culture, and more. With a unique custom wagering system using virtual tokens, players can create personalized challenges, foster spirited rivalries, and build relationships while avoiding the financial pitfalls of traditional gambling.
Periscope Systems simplifies home water softener maintenance with a low-cost, Wi-Fi-enabled sensor that tracks salt levels and connects to a refill service. When salt runs low, customers are notified, or a technician is dispatched to handle delivery and refilling automatically. By eliminating guesswork, Periscope ensures reliable soft water and reduces homeowner burden.
Roivek is developing a small, modular drone system designed to revolutionize window cleaning. The system is operated by a two-person team — one overseeing the drones and the other focusing on detailed cleaning and customer interaction. This innovative process reduces service time, lowers costs, and allows maintenance crews to focus on in-depth cleaning, such as window tracks and screens.
Apply for your chance to participate in the Get Started: Business Idea Challenge, or learn how to start your business and join Utah’s vibrant startup community.
The information in this article is current as of the publishing date and is intended for informational purposes only. This article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal, tax, or business advice. Any resources and organizations mentioned, unless an entity of or a partner of the state of Utah, are not formally endorsed by the Startup State Initiative or state of Utah.