Pitch North Announces Winners

Five local entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges and an audience of over 50 people at the sixth annual Pitch North competition held on August 7th at the Michigan State University AgBio Research Station in Hart. They were competing for the chance to win their share of over $11,000 in cash and prizes to bring their ideas to life.

Pitch North was designed to spark entrepreneurial change and encourage more small businesses to start in Newaygo, Oceana, and Lake counties. This year’s contest received 28 business idea submissions, from which five finalists were selected by a local committee to pitch at the live event. Each entrepreneur had five minutes to present, and judges had an opportunity to ask questions directly following.

“This year’s entrepreneurs leveled up their presentations, and truly showcased their passion for their businesses,” said Julie Burrell, Newaygo County’s Senior Economic Development Director. “We are so proud to be a part of their journey.”

The first place prize of $5,000 was awarded to Nicolena Stubbs, Black Eden Brews, in Idlewild. Nicolena plans to use her prize money to expand offerings at her pop-up coffee & breakfast spot. Second place was awarded to Julie Engle, The Pasturage, LLC in Oceana County. The third place prize went to Cheri Bandt from Hoop and Home in Shelby.

The finalists will receive the following:

1st Place:              $5,000 Nicolena Stubbs, Black Eden Brews

2nd Place:             $3,500 Julie Engel, The Pasturage, LLC

3rd Place:              $1,500 Cheri Brandt, Hoop and Home, LLC

4th Place: $1000 Gerad Sarb, Grindstone Leather

5th Place: $500 Heather Johnson, Newaygo Tours

Volunteer judges for the event included Noble Graham-Lattin, Owner of Birch and Blossom and the 2023 second place winner, Jennifer Armstrong, Loan Officer for Lake-Osceola Bank, John Buckley, President & CEO of Gerber Federal Credit Union, Cyndi Langlois, Community Empowerment Manager with GVSU’s Muskegon Innovation Hub and Scott Beal, Executive Director of the Hart-Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce.

Pitch North is hosted by The Right Place, Inc. in conjunction with the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership, Oceana County Economic Alliance, and Lake County Economic Development Alliance.

Pitch North 2024 was made possible through financial support from the Newaygo County Economic Development Partnership, Consumers Energy, Lake-Osceola State Bank, The City of Fremont, The City of Newaygo, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Great Lakes Energy, True Stream, River Country Chamber of Commerce, West Shore Community College, Corewell Health, Hart/Silver Lake Chamber of Commerce, Shelby State Bank, Gerber Federal Credit Union, DTE Energy, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, and SCORE. Additional in-kind prizes were provided by the Dave Byrne Law Office, Fab Lab at Muskegon Community College and the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce.