Entrepreneurs Selected as Finalists for Annual Pitch North Competition

Five entrepreneurs have been selected as part of the annual Pitch North competition. They will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges on August 7. Pitch North is the region’s first-of-its-kind entrepreneurial pitching competition where entrepreneurs living in Lake, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties can pitch their ideas for a chance at one of five cash prizes.

Finalists will compete for the chance to win their share of more than $11,000 in cash and prizes to bring their ideas to life. The live pitch event will be held at The West Michigan Research Station in Hart on August 7, 2024, from 4pm to 6pm.

The 2024 Pitch North finalists are:

• Cheri Bandt – Hoop & Home (Oceana County)

• Julie Engle – Mrs. Cleaver /The Pasturage (Oceana County)

• Nicolena Innis-Stubbs- Black Eden Brews (Lake County)

• Heather Johnson - Newaygo Tours (Newaygo County)

• Gerad Sarb – Grindstone Leather (Newaygo County)

Each finalist will be given five minutes to present their business idea followed by a chance to answer questions from Pitch North judges. Pitch North is open to anyone who would like to attend to support the entrepreneurs. To attend the free live event, register at The Right Place | Pitch North 2024 by August 5.

Event creator Julie Burrell shared, “Over the last five years, Pitch North has supported 25 entrepreneurs as finalists with more than $50,000 in cash awards that have allowed them to serve our rural communities and contribute to our local economies. We look forward to seeing our 2024 finalists continue this impact.”

Pitch North is hosted by The Right Place, Inc. in partnership with economic development alliances in Lake, Newaygo and Oceana Counties. The competition is made possible by these sponsors: Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership, Consumers Energy, Lake Osceola State Bank, City of Fremont DDA, City of Hart TIFA, City of Newaygo TIFA, Gerber Federal Credit Union, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Hart-Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce, River Country Chamber of Commerce, Shelby State Bank, Northern Initiatives, and Muskegon Innovation Hub at GVSU.