Image

Meet May’s Get Started: Business Idea Challenge Winners

May 23, 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 May awardees who secured up to $500 in non-equity funding.

Breath of Life is a mom-invented, doctor-approved device designed to quickly and effectively stop choking emergencies. Portable and easy to use, it works while the victim is still sitting, unlike existing solutions that require lying down. Simple enough to be used by kids, it offers a more immediate and intuitive response to traumatic choking incidents.

ParkPal is a peer-to-peer marketplace that lets property owners rent out unused parking spaces to drivers seeking convenient, affordable parking near high-demand areas. This turns idle spaces into income opportunities while providing drivers with guaranteed spots. The platform also helps reduce congestion and illegal parking in busy locations.

PrivacyHound is a SaaS platform that simplifies privacy compliance by identifying regulatory gaps across jurisdictions. Features like “Audit Buddy” and an integrated ticketing system deliver actionable insights seamlessly within existing workflows. The platform helps businesses reduce privacy risks, avoid fines, and justify investments amid the growing demands of AI regulation.

Rollin’ Harvest is a mobile farmers market that delivers fresh, locally grown, and culturally relevant produce directly to communities. It partners with small-scale farmers through a revenue-sharing model and accepts SNAP benefits to improve access to nutritious food. The initiative supports regional agriculture through a pilot pop-up market program that integrates mobility and food equity.

Salt City Soapworks creates natural skincare products using unrefined Utah salt and locally sourced beeswax. Its simple, pure formulas harness the natural detoxifying power of salt while supporting local beekeepers and promoting sustainability through eco-friendly packaging. Its product line includes salt soaps, scrubs, bath bombs, shampoo bars, and beeswax balms.

Yoked Staff is a staffing agency that connects businesses with highly skilled virtual assistants to boost productivity and support growth. It offers top-tier talent at competitive rates to help companies reduce payroll costs while enhancing work quality. The model gives business owners more time to focus on strategic growth and invest in impactful local hiring.

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.