The Dalles, OR – Wasco County Innovation Initiative partners are pleased to announce the finalists for the second annual Gorge PitchFest and that tickets are now available. Fifty small businesses from the Mid-Columbia region submitted responses to the call for businesses interested in pitching. Applicants included businesses with different focuses from light manufacturing to food production to software.
“We were thrilled by the turnout of applications! It is clear that the Gorge is a thriving hub for entrepreneurs we are so excited to be able to support them in such a fun, interactive way,” said Jason Hartmann, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Project Manager for Industry Engagement and event lead.
The five businesses that were selected as finalists include:
· StarBars
· chan’bla’ska
The community is invited to attend the free event on June 6th at 5:30pm at the Granada Theater in The Dalles. Come to watch these finalists pitch their business idea to the panel of four judges; James Martin of Sunshine Mill Winery, Lee Weinstein of Weinstein PR, Gregory Price of the Columbia Gorge Community College Small Business Development Center, and Jessica Metta of Mid-Columbia Economic Development District.
The first-place winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000! Additional cash prizes will also be awarded for second place, third place, the audience’s favorite pitch, and new this year, the Beset Equity Award, an additional $6,000 prize for a business 50% or more owned by a woman or person of color.
The competition encourages entrepreneurship and innovation and provides a networking opportunity for participants. In addition to funding, winners will receive pitch training and valuable exposure to potential investors, customers, and business partners.
Tickets are free but must be reserved at https://www.mcedd.org/2024-gorge-pitchfest/.
Wasco Innovation Initiative partners involved in this event include Columbia Gorge Small Business Development Center, Port of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College, Business Oregon, the Wasco County Economic Development Commission and Mid-Columbia Economic Development District. This event is partially supported by a grant received from Business Oregon’s Rural Opportunities Initiative and is supported by a large list of sponsors.
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