Entrepreneurial pitch competition enters third year, continues to grow

Newaygo County’s first-of-its-kind entrepreneurial pitching competition, Pitch North, is returning for its third year bigger than ever before. Entrepreneurs living in Newaygo, Oceana and Lake Counties will once again have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to compete for one of many cash prizes up for grabs. The competition’s third year boasts bigger prizes, with a total of $10,000 in award funds available to cultivate entrepreneurial growth in these rural communities. The virtual event will take place on June 8^th, 2021.

Entrepreneurship continues to be critical to the success of rural communities, especially as they begin recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. When people start and grow businesses, they contribute to the economic diversity of their area. These unique local businesses become differentiators for their communities.

Recognizing that individuals living in rural areas often have less access to funding and resources to pursue these endeavors The Right Place, Inc. launched Pitch North in 2019 to change that.

Pitch submissions for Pitch North 2021 are being accepted at pitchnorth.com now through May 10, 2021, at 11:59 pm. A hand-picked committee will review and score all submissions and select five finalists to present their pitches live at the June 8^th event, where cash prizes will be awarded to all five finalists. The public is welcome to attend this free event, which will be held via Zoom. Additional information on how to register is available at pitchnorth.com.

Pitch North is hosted by The Right Place, Inc. and made possible through support from The Adama Family Gift Fund, The Fremont Area Community Foundation, Shelby State Bank, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, River Country Chamber of Commerce, West Shore Community College, Gerber Federal Credit Union and The Lakeshore Fab Lab.