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Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s economic development and entrepreneurial efforts are in place to provide people with opportunities and resources to bring their ideas from paper to fruition.
Pitch competitions are nothing new. In fact, they date back decades.
A pitch event is a competition in which entrepreneurs or startup companies present their business plans to a panel of judges to secure funding.
This is exactly what Envision Greater Fond du Lac did on Nov. 13 when it hosted Envision THIS! The event was composed of two events: one for high school students and one for adults 18 and older.
The high school competition showcased innovative ideas from three local high schools. Laconia High School’s Elsie Rens and Julia Pierstorff secured first place with their “Make Up Your Mind Mirror.” Their invention streamlines outfit selection for women ages 15-30, leveraging technology to simplify morning routines. They received a $500 prize for first place.
More: Fond du Lac’s Wonder Cafe a testament to the power of collaboration: Envisioning Greater
Brody Nolan, Lucas Zimmerman and Hunter Cochran from Campbellsport High School clinched second place with “Wings over Elmore,” focusing on raising pheasants and tailoring their business to diverse markets. Their idea earned a $250 prize.
In total, the competition had seven different high school groups pitch, with representation from Campbellsport, Laconia and North Fond du Lac high schools.
Special thanks to judges Kean O’Brien, Lisa McArthur, Becca Schumacher and TJ Schoenborn for their time and commitment to youth entrepreneurship in Fond du Lac County.
In the evening pitch event, six local entrepreneurs had 4 minutes each to pitch their business. Arianna McCormick-Wilson’s “AMW Arts LLC” clinched the top spot, advocating for art’s value through engaging classes and personalized 2D art commissions. Her focus on seniors and retirees, alongside plans for virtual lessons, aims to broaden the market and bridge existing gaps in art education for adults, emphasizing personal connections and breaking barriers to entry.
Connor Freimuth’s “NEW Compost,” the second-place winner, stands out for its commitment to sustainable plant cultivation, utilizing eco-friendly methodologies rooted in Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School. In its early stages, the business targets diverse customer bases, from household plant owners to large-scale agriculture, prioritizing soil health and striving to create a more eco-conscious future by expanding partnerships and promoting the significance of soil ecosystems.
More: Envisioning Greater: Workforce development: What Envision is doing to cultivate the pipeline
Special thanks to evening judges Kean O’Brien, Nolan Boyce, Rhonda Roehrig and Kathy Schlieve for their thoughtful feedback and timely deliberation.
Top winners are invited to advance to the NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event Nov. 30, where they will compete for additional funding for their business ideas and broad investor attention.
What does all this mean in terms of Envisioning Greater? It means Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s economic development and entrepreneurial efforts are in place to provide people with opportunities and resources to bring their ideas from paper to fruition.
If you live anywhere in Fond du Lac County and you’re ready to take the first step to bring your dream to reality, visit envisiongreaterfdl.com, call 920-921-9500 or email info@envisiongreaterfdl.com.
Tracy Qualmann is senior director of marketing & communication for Envision Greater Fond du Lac.
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