Winner of McDonough’s Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge Announced

The American Farm Bureau Federation, the McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative and Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative’s StartupHoyas are pleased to finally announce ScoutPro as the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year. The honor was bestowed upon the winner of the the first Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge and announced at AFBF’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. Over the past few months, teams of entrepreneurs have been vying for a spot in the finals and the ultimate prize.

ScoutPro of Lone Tree, Iowa, was named Entrepreneur of the Year from a field of four finalists who pitched their business ideas to a team of judges before a live audience.

“Rural entrepreneurs continue to be a major driving force in our nation’s economy,” AFBF President Bob Stallman said. “We congratulate all the finalists and wish them well in their future business endeavors.”

“Talented aspiring entrepreneurs can be found in every community across the United States,” said Jeff Reid, founding director of the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative. “The Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge recognizes some of the best, and will hopefully inspire many more. And that is vitally important, since these entrepreneurs can make a huge difference in small rural communities.”

Other awards were given out too: Team lead Michael Koenig received a total of $30,000 in prize money to implement his business idea, which is software to assist farmers with crop maintenance. Meanwhile, Pasturebird, LLC of Temecula, California, led by Paul Greive, won the People’s Choice award in the competition and $10,000 in prize money. In addition to the prize money awarded at the convention, each of the four national finalists received $15,000 in November for advancing in the competition.

regions: Washington, DC

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