August 29, 2025 2:50 a.m.

Six entrepreneurs have been selected for the next Pitch Night event. On Thursday, September 4th at Backside Brewing in Roseburg.

The participants will compete for their share of a $2,000 prize fund and the final two spots in the first ever Pitch Night Grand Finale on October 23rd.

Pitch Night is a program of the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership.

An UEDP release said the contestants that have been chosen are: Desirae Cleary – Cattle Dogs Golf Center; Brooke Laurance – Revival Juice Company; Jime Amaro – Jime’s Hot Dogs; Kristi Rifenbark – Rosebud Theatre; Ellie Dantibo – Ellie’s Dance Studio; and Amanda Nash Shields – Public Spectacle.

Each participant will be given five minutes at the mic followed by five minutes of questions from a panel of judges in front of a live audience at Backside Brewing. The top three presenters will share $2,000 in prize funds to help their business grow. The top two pitchers will advance to the Pitch Night Finals – and a chance to compete for their share of $10,000 – on October 23rd.

Four of the six positions in the Grand Finale have already been filled by the first and second place finishers in the two previous Pitch Night events.

Audience registration for the Pitch Night event is still underway. Tickets are free but attendees are asked to RSVP at: www.umpquagrowthtalks.com