Another incredible Boise Entrepreneur Week has come to a close, and the team at Trailhead is feeling energized and inspired after such a successful week.
BEW 2025 brought together thousands of founders, investors, students, and community builders for a week of learning, connecting, and celebrating everything that makes Idaho’s startup scene so special.
If you joined us this year, thank you for Betting on Boise. If you missed it, here’s what went down.
BEW Live: bringing the action to you
BEW 2025 expanded our livestream programming, allowing remote attendees to tune in to a variety of discussions. BEW Live ran in parallel with our in-person tracks throughout the week, capturing keynote sessions, expert panels, and deep-dive discussions on the topics that matter most to today’s entrepreneurs.
From scaling strategies and market positioning to sustainability initiatives, health tech breakthroughs, and cybersecurity best practices, our speakers and moderators covered critical ground. The result? Over 1,500 remote viewers were able to tune in from across the region and beyond, making BEW more accessible than ever before.
Whether you watched live or caught up on recordings later, these sessions delivered the insights and inspiration that BEW is known for, no travel required.
14 Tracks, endless opportunities
The heart of BEW has always been its diverse programming, and this year’s 14 distinct tracks offered something valuable for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
Founders just starting out found their footing in the Start and Small Business tracks, which covered the fundamentals of launching and sustaining a new venture. Those ready to scale found actionable guidance in the Grow track, learning how to expand operations while maintaining the culture and systems that got them there.A standout this year was the Capital track, which created crucial connections between founders and investors. Sessions ranged from bootstrapping strategies to navigating the complex world of venture capital and preparing for Series A funding rounds. For many attendees, these conversations opened doors that will shape their companies’ futures.
Innovation took center stage across our specialized tracks. Tech, Health Tech, and Cyber programming explored emerging trends, cutting-edge solutions, and the security challenges that come with rapid growth in these high-impact sectors. Meanwhile, our Food, Creative, and Military tracks celebrated the diverse faces of entrepreneurship in Idaho, from culinary innovators to veteran-owned businesses making their mark.
Want to see what you missed or plan ahead for next year? Check out this year’s full schedule to explore all 14 tracks and start thinking about what kind of sessions you’ll prioritize in 2026.
Celebrating Idaho’s innovators: the Main Pitch Competition
Every year, the Main Pitch Competition showcases the best and brightest startups Idaho has to offer. BEW 2025 was no exception.
This year’s winner, QTex AI, took home $50,000 in funding with a pitch that demonstrated both technical innovation and real-world impact. Founded by Oliver MacDonald and Chris Dagher, QTex AI has developed PartWise, a conversational AI platform that transforms how electrical engineers source and select components.
The problem they’re solving is significant: engineers often spend hours navigating complex databases and comparing specifications. PartWise streamlines this process through intelligent conversation, helping engineers make faster, more informed decisions while boosting overall design efficiency.
The judges were impressed not just by the technology, but by the team’s clear understanding of their market and their vision for scaling. We’re excited to watch QTex AI grow in the months and years ahead.
Trailmix Competition: Idaho’s food scene takes the spotlight
The Trailmix Competition has become a beloved BEW tradition, shining a light on the creativity and passion driving Idaho’s food and beverage industry. This year’s competition was fierce, but one standout earned the top prize.
Mama’s Beef Jerky walked away with $50,000 after delivering a pitch and product that judges couldn’t ignore. Their jerky isn’t just delicious—it’s thoughtfully crafted, high-quality, and built with scalability in mind. Mama’s Beef Jerky is a family-run business with a storefront and warehouse in Nampa, and we’re excited to see them grow in the months ahead.
Their win represents something larger: the down-to-earth, innovative spirit that’s taking Idaho’s food industry to new heights. From farm-to-table concepts to packaged goods with regional roots and national potential, Idaho entrepreneurs are proving that great food and great business strategy go hand in hand.
Gratitude for our sponsors
None of this would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Your investment in BEW is an investment in Idaho’s entrepreneurial future, and we’re deeply grateful. A special thank-you to the CCDC for their significant support of BEW 2025. We also want to recognize all our other 2025 Sponsors for helping us create a week where connections were made, ideas were sparked, and Idaho’s startup community grew stronger.
Until next year
BEW 2025 is officially in the books, but the conversations, connections, and momentum it generated are just getting started. Whether you’re a founder refining your pitch, an investor exploring new opportunities, or a community member who believes in the power of local entrepreneurship, you’re part of what makes this ecosystem thrive.
We’ll see you next year. Same place, same energy, even bigger dreams. 🚀