Gorge PitchFest: Showcasing Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Columbia Gorge!
From Mid-Columbia Economic Development:
By Jason Hartmann
The Dalles, OR May – The 2024 Gorge PitchFest business pitch competition is returning for a second year to the historic Granada Theater in The Dalles on June 6th. This event will bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and community members to celebrate creativity and drive economic growth in the region.
The event organizers, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and the Wasco Innovation Initiative will choose five finalists who enter to participate on stage in the PitchFest. Once selected, the finalists will receive support and training to refine their presentations, and then will pitch their ideas to our panel of experienced judges and the audience as they compete to win a cash prize from a purse totaling over $20,000!
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, plus a prize for crowd favorite. New this year is the "Beset Equity Award" that will be awarded to a business with 50%+ ownership by a woman or person of color.
Lindsey Giamei, owner of The Workshop and Woodsy Craft Co. and last year's first-place winner, used her winnings to attend a major trade show.
“Thanks to the support from the $7,500 in pitch fest funding, over 30 new stores now proudly carry our brand, catapulting our presence into 11 new states across the country! This funding not only opened doors for us, but also paved the way for meaningful connections and invaluable opportunities,” said Giamei.
Jason Hartmann, MCEDD’s lead project manager for this event, said the event is proud to support local innovators.
"We are thrilled to showcase the incredible talent and potential in our communities, and to support the growth of promising startups that will contribute to the economic vitality and diversity of the Mid-Columbia region. We believe that by supporting entrepreneurs and fostering a culture of innovation, we can bolster the Gorge’s already-thriving startup ecosystem to benefit the entire Gorge,” said Hartmann.
Applications for the 2024 Gorge PitchFest are OPEN until May 22nd .
Contestants must have a business registered in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat or Skamania counties to be eligible to participate. If your business is in pre-venture or early startup stage and needs cash to grow, apply at the links below:
English: bit.ly/GorgePitchFest2024
Spanish: bit.ly/PitchFestApplicationEspanol
Thank you to our event sponsors who have made this event possible: Columbia Gorge Small Business Development Center, Beset, Google, Business Oregon, Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, NW Natural, The Dalles Chamber of Commerce, WaFd Bank, First Interstate Bank, Jon K. Hancock, Oregon Frontier Chamber, and Hood River Chamber of Commerce.
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