A group of the Bay area’s next generation of entrepreneurs gathered together for a business competition last week, with the winner receiving a $25,000 grand prize.
Pitch A Dream was held at the historic State Theatre last Thursday, Nov. 1.
Professional basketball trainer Luke Lloyd won the top prize for his Dribble Stick Training company. Lloyd invented the Dribble Stick, a unique post made of aircraft aluminum and two arms that teach the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, and more.
Additional winners include:
1st Runner Up: GCI Water Solutions
2nd Runner Up: Uncrackables
3rd Runner Up: 989Concierge
Set It Up Right: Theramazing
Heart of the Bay: 989Concierge
Elevator Pitch: Bay City Cooperative Market
To compete, the companies had to be early-stage companies based in or principally located in Bay County, be a non-public and for-profit company, and have less than $1 million in private sector investments and less than $2.5 million in revenue in the last twelve months.
Jen Idalski owns business concierge service 989Concierge. The company provides task-based services to other businesses, allowing companies to get things done without hiring a new employee.
"For 989Concierge, Pitch A Dream provided an opportunity to expand beyond what I though was possible within 1 year of operation," Idalski says.
"I’m excited to see how the Pitch A Dream awards positively impact Bay County. I hope Pitch A Dream continues to grow and invest in local businesses."
Pitch A Dream was held by the Bay County Growth Alliance in partnership with Central Michigan University Research Corporation, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and Bay Future Inc.
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