What happens when college students stop waiting for experience and start creating it themselves?

In this episode of Mountain Mule Media, we sit down with Chase Rivet and Christopher Hausmann, co-founders of Absaroka Capital, a student-led venture fund at Montana State University focused on backing early-stage Montana startups.

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What Is Absaroka Capital?

Absaroka Capital is a nonprofit, student-run venture fund with a clear mission:

Build better entrepreneurs and stronger business leaders in Montana.

Instead of just learning theory in the classroom, students are:

• Raising real money
• Evaluating real startups
• Making real investment decisions

Their focus is simple, Montana.

They’re industry agnostic, meaning they’ll look at anything from:

• AgTech
• FinTech
• Defense
• Quantum and photonics
• Early-stage local businesses

But the common thread is clear, they want to support companies building in Montana.

As Christopher put it, this isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about finding the ideas that can actually scale.

Learning by Doing, Not Just Studying

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is how different real experience is from classroom learning.

Absaroka Capital exists because:

• Students wanted hands-on experience
• They wanted to understand how real companies grow
• They wanted to make decisions that actually matter

And they’re doing exactly that.

From fundraising to due diligence, they’re building skills most students don’t get until years after graduation.

How the Fund Works

Right now, Absaroka Capital is:

• Raising toward a $100,000 fund
• Writing checks in the $20,000–$30,000 range
• Targeting 1–2 investments per semester

They’re acting as that first check for early-stage startups.

And unlike traditional venture capital, any returns go back into the fund, not to investors, so future students can keep learning and investing.

Why Montana?

There’s a bigger story here.

Bozeman and the surrounding area are quietly becoming a hub for:

• Innovation
• Startups
• Advanced industries

From local founders to global-level tech, there’s more happening “under the hood” than most people realize.

Absaroka Capital is trying to connect those dots.

They’re not just funding companies, they’re helping build the ecosystem.

The Power of Mentorship and Network

If there’s one theme that came up again and again, it’s this:

Everything comes back to people.

The advisory board behind Absaroka Capital includes experienced professionals from venture capital, law, and entrepreneurship. These mentors help students:

• Ask better questions
• Evaluate opportunities
• Think like real investors

And beyond that, the biggest advantage students have right now?

Access.

They can reach out, meet people, and learn directly from those already doing it.

College, Networking, and Reality

One of the most honest parts of the conversation was around college itself.

Yes, tuition is expensive.
Yes, you can learn almost anything online.

But what you can’t replicate is:

• The network
• The relationships
• The real-world exposure

As Chase and Christopher both emphasized, the students who win are the ones who:

• Talk to professors
• Join something
• Put themselves in the room

That’s where everything starts to compound.

Advice for Students (and Anyone Starting Out)

Simple, but powerful:

• Join something
• Talk to people
• Stop overthinking it
• Learn by doing

Most opportunities aren’t hidden, they’re just on the other side of a conversation.

How to Get Involved with Absaroka Capital

If you want to support what they’re building:

• Learn more: https://absarokacapital.org

They’re looking for:

• Donors
• Mentors
• Industry experts
• Anyone willing to help build Montana’s business ecosystem

Final Thoughts

This episode is a reminder that some of the most impactful work doesn’t come from experience.

It comes from taking action early.

Chase Rivet and Christopher Hausmann aren’t waiting until after college to get involved in business, they’re already in it.

And in doing so, they’re helping shape the future of Montana.

Mountain Mule Media is a production of Mountain Mule Transportation, connecting people with Montana businesses, stories, and experiences. Learn more about private transportation, events, and Yellowstone tours at https://www.mountain-mule.com