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Launching Ventures Beyond the Classroom

About Us

Venture College provides the campus community with training, venture incubation support, and unique startup experiences to help them find their entrepreneurial passion.

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Venture College Highlights

289
Active Businesses

James Petzke owner of off Trail Publishing giving speech
James Petzke, Owner of Off Trail Publishing, CEO of Upland Optics

$4.4 Million Capital Raised

2019 Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge Award Recipients with a big check of ten thousand dollars
2019 Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge Award Recipients, Team: Doorstep

500+ Community Supporters

People in Fall 2017 Venture College Incubator meeting
Fall 2017 Venture College Incubator

Meet the Team

  • Portrait of Cara Van Sant

    Cara Van Sant

    Director

    Cara joined the Venture College as the Marketing and Communications Manager in 2020. Since then she has taken on the role of Director, and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs throughout their startup journeys. Cara’s prior experience includes: supporting an early stage startup, coordinating a large capital campaign, working for a large tech firm, and coaching.

    Cara graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Affairs, and a Business minor. After graduating, she worked in the corporate world in Seattle, but was excited to move back to her hometown here in Boise.

    Cara joined the Venture College as the Marketing and Communications Manager in 2020. Since then she has taken on the role of Director, and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs throughout their startup journeys. Cara’s prior experience includes: supporting an early stage startup, coordinating a large capital campaign, working for a large tech firm, and coaching.

    Cara graduated from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Affairs, and a Business minor. After graduating, she worked in the corporate world in Seattle, but was excited to move back to her hometown here in Boise.

  • Asil Nabizada Headshot

    Asil Nabizada

    Marketing and Events Intern

    Asil Nabizada is an enthusiastic intern at the Venture College who specializes in marketing and event planning. With a strong background in creativity strategy and communication, he is dedicated to crafting a positive experience that resonates with diverse audiences. Asil thrives in collaborative environments, where he uses his skills to support innovative projects and initiatives.  

    Asil is currently studying Business Administration at Boise State University, where he is honing his skills for a successful career in the business world. He has also been part of the One Refugee student program since the beginning of 2023. With six years of experience in customer management and two years of leadership experience, he has developed a strong foundation in building relationships and driving team success. His goal is to apply his knowledge and expertise to foster a collaborative environment in Venture College programs and pitch competitions.

    Asil Nabizada is an enthusiastic intern at the Venture College who specializes in marketing and event planning. With a strong background in creativity strategy and communication, he is dedicated to crafting a positive experience that resonates with diverse audiences. Asil thrives in collaborative environments, where he uses his skills to support innovative projects and initiatives.  

    Asil is currently studying Business Administration at Boise State University, where he is honing his skills for a successful career in the business world. He has also been part of the One Refugee student program since the beginning of 2023. With six years of experience in customer management and two years of leadership experience, he has developed a strong foundation in building relationships and driving team success. His goal is to apply his knowledge and expertise to foster a collaborative environment in Venture College programs and pitch competitions.

  • Headshot Photo of Kent Neupert

    Kent Neupert

    Professor, Department Chair, Incubator Sr. Advisor

    Kent Neupert is the Faculty Lead of the newly launched Resort and Hospitality Management program, an online created in response to requests from Idaho’s resort and hospitality industry for training for future managers and workforce in this vital industry.  Dr. Neupert is also the Research Lead for the NSF I-Corps Desert-Pacific Region Hub team at Boise State University, which provides commercialization training taking innovations to the market.  Kent’s primary research questions are in the areas of entrepreneurship, business strategy and location. His research has been published in top international journals and he has co-authored several best-selling cases and books. A Boise State faculty member for 23 years, Kent teaches in areas of business strategy, entrepreneurship, and international management in graduate and undergraduate business programs. He has taught in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Spain and New Zealand and served in administrative roles in domestic and international settings.

    Department of Management, College of Business and Economics

    Kent Neupert is the Faculty Lead of the newly launched Resort and Hospitality Management program, an online created in response to requests from Idaho’s resort and hospitality industry for training for future managers and workforce in this vital industry.  Dr. Neupert is also the Research Lead for the NSF I-Corps Desert-Pacific Region Hub team at Boise State University, which provides commercialization training taking innovations to the market.  Kent’s primary research questions are in the areas of entrepreneurship, business strategy and location. His research has been published in top international journals and he has co-authored several best-selling cases and books. A Boise State faculty member for 23 years, Kent teaches in areas of business strategy, entrepreneurship, and international management in graduate and undergraduate business programs. He has taught in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Spain and New Zealand and served in administrative roles in domestic and international settings.

  • Headshot of Rick Ritter

    Rick Ritter

    Lab Director, BSU Adjunct Faculty and Incubator Instructor

    Rick teaches New Venture Creation and Managing an Emerging Company to senior-level students and has developed a series of three entrepreneurial courses (Introduction to Startups, Customer Development, and Minimum Viable Products) for the Department of Computer Science. This series is being expanded to include other Engineering Departments.

    Rick Ritter founded and manages New Ventures Lab, Inc (NVL). NVL is a hybrid virtual co-working facility located in Meridian, ID that is focused on “Turning Ideas into Businesses”. Prior to founding New Ventures Lab Inc., Rick served as the CEO/President of Idaho TechConnect, Inc. for eight years, Director of Technology Outreach at Boise State’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (TECenter) on the BSU West campus for four years. Rick received an ICON Award in 2018 and was named as a CEO of Influence in 2011 by the Idaho Business Review. He has worked extensively across the state with individuals and companies assisting them to discover the economic value of their ideas. Rick has more than 20 years of business incubation/assistance/commercialization experience. He has started and successfully operated five businesses (technology, construction, real estate development, consulting, non-profit). He has experience in federal and state government, university, non-profit and private sector arenas. Mr. Ritter has completed all coursework for an MPA degree from Boise State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho. He resides in Meridian, Idaho with his wife, Terri. He has four grown children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren (so far).

    Department of Management, College of Business and Economics

    Rick teaches New Venture Creation and Managing an Emerging Company to senior-level students and has developed a series of three entrepreneurial courses (Introduction to Startups, Customer Development, and Minimum Viable Products) for the Department of Computer Science. This series is being expanded to include other Engineering Departments.

    Rick Ritter founded and manages New Ventures Lab, Inc (NVL). NVL is a hybrid virtual co-working facility located in Meridian, ID that is focused on “Turning Ideas into Businesses”. Prior to founding New Ventures Lab Inc., Rick served as the CEO/President of Idaho TechConnect, Inc. for eight years, Director of Technology Outreach at Boise State’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (TECenter) on the BSU West campus for four years. Rick received an ICON Award in 2018 and was named as a CEO of Influence in 2011 by the Idaho Business Review. He has worked extensively across the state with individuals and companies assisting them to discover the economic value of their ideas. Rick has more than 20 years of business incubation/assistance/commercialization experience. He has started and successfully operated five businesses (technology, construction, real estate development, consulting, non-profit). He has experience in federal and state government, university, non-profit and private sector arenas. Mr. Ritter has completed all coursework for an MPA degree from Boise State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Idaho. He resides in Meridian, Idaho with his wife, Terri. He has four grown children, thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren (so far).

Venture College Advisory Board

  • Eric Gilbert

    Eric Gilbert

    Co-Founder, Treefort Music Fest

  • HannaLore Hein

    HannaLore Hein

    State Historian, Idaho State Historical Society

  • Janessa White

    Janessa White

    Co-Founder, Simply Eloped

  • Kathy O’Neill

    Kathy O’Neill

    Community Engagement Director, JUMP

  • Megan Lacy

    Megan Lacy

    Director of Marketing & Owner, Fleet Feet Meridian

  • Nick Crabbs

    Nick Crabbs

    Partner & Vice President of Community Engagement, VYNYL + Co-Chair, Boise Entrepreneur Week

  • Roger Hancock

    Roger Hancock

    CEO, Recall InfoLink

  • Sue Latta

    Sue Latta

    Artist/Owner, The Sculpture Studio + Lecturer, School of the Arts at BSU

  • Tara Russell

    Tara Russell

    Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Photon Marine

  • Tiam Rastegar

    Tiam Rastegar

    CEO & Executive Director, Trailhead Boise + Co-Chair, Boise Entrepreneur Week