October 3, 2024 3:05 a.m.

Six local entrepreneurs will present their new business ideas to judges and a live audience in the next Pitch Night event, Wednesday October 16th at Backside Brewing in Roseburg.

A release said Umpqua Growth Talk Pitch Nights are organized by the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership, with the goal of launching new businesses that lead to employment opportunities and family wage jobs.

During the event, the six fledgling entrepreneurs will be given five minutes in front of a live audience and three judges to present their idea, in hopes of earning a piece of $2,000 in prize money. The first-place winner will win $1,000. Second place earns $500, and third place comes with a $250 prize. The audience favorite will also earn $250. Prize funds and additional support for Pitch Nights come through sponsorships from generous local companies.

The finalists and their business ideas for the October 16th event are: \

*Robert Hoehne – Blue Dream Wildlife River Tours

*Nicole Johnson – Dynamyte Digital Lab

*Kaylee Milholland – Interior Designs

*Tristyn Whisler – Experience Umpqua Tours and Shuttles

*Monica Alvarez – Apolonia’s Bakery

*Kyleah Murphy – Field to Forks

UEDP Executive Director Brian Prawitz said, “Each of our amazing finalists has been assigned a coach to help develop their ideas and their presentations”. Prawitz said, “Our entrepreneurs say the process of working with a coach and practicing in front of one another helps them immensely. We want Pitch Night to just be the beginning of their success stories”.

Funds are intended to help move the new business ideas beyond the concept stage into reality.

Since launching in 2019, Umpqua Growth Talk Pitch Nights for Startups and Small business have become a popular resource for innovators in the Umpqua Valley. To date, over $75,000 in funds have been distributed through the program to local entrepreneurs.

More information is available at: www.umpquagrowthtalks.com