Mandan Business Pitch Challenge

*Mandan Business Pitch Challenge Coming Fall of 2024

 

Send-It! 24/7 Cornhole Wins Mandan Business Pitch Challenge!

March 24, 2023 — The winner of Mandan’s 2023 Business Pitch Challenge held March 23 is Send-It! 24/7 Cornhole, a recreational venue by Jed Geer, Brad Anderson and Brandon Koch. The winner receives $750 in monetary prizes, the chance to be eligible for up to a $10,000 forgivable loan from the Mandan Growth Fund, plus a host of other prizes to assist on their entrepreneurial journey. Their cornhole event center with a full bar, axe throwing and more emerged from a field of eight initial entrants and four finalists. Audience members also selected Send-It! 24/7 Cornhole for a people’s choice award.

First runner-up is Inside Park an indoor park geared towards young children planned by Brittany Kennedy. Her concept is for one-of-a-kind, parent-monitored indoor playground for children ages six months to 12 years.

Third place honors go to Just You Studios, a home office and entrepreneurial community connecting local creative entrepreneurs with area resources by Katie Bowers. The other finalist is Josette Dupree of Big Stick Cigars, a vintage tobacconist’s shop.

All finalists received prizes plus coaching from the N.D. Small Business Development Centers (NDSBDC). See the award list and donors at cityofmandan.com/businesspitch.

Judges were:

• Joe Camisa, Mandan City Commissioner and co-owner of Cappuccino on Collins;
• Lori Capouch, N.D. Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives Rural Development Specialist;
• Kevin Cavanaugh, owner of Bearscat Bakehouse;
• Jake Fisketjon, Mandan Growth Fund member and Retail Manager/AVP of Gate City Bank Mandan and Country West; and
• Tiffany Ford, State Director of the NDSBDC.

Judges evaluated applications and executive summaries of business plans submitted by finalists as well as their live pitch presentations and responses to questions. Criteria included thoroughness; innovativeness; target customer identification; market fit; public benefits to Mandan; scalability; strength of leadership team; use of prizes and support services; feasibility; effectiveness of presentation; expertise in responding to questions; and ultimately, if the plan is bankable or investable.

The Mandan Tomorrow - Economic Opportunity and Prosperity Committee hosted the competition with assistance from the City of Mandan Business Development Department, Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC and NDSBDC.

The Mandan “Business Pitch Challenge” is part of a 2023 business education series sponsored by Bank of North Dakota, BNC National Bank, Bravera Bank, Capital Credit Union, Cornerstone Bank, CRA Group, Dakota Business Lending, Dakota Community Bank and Trust, Daniel Companies, First Community Credit Union, First International Bank and Trust, First Western Bank and Trust, Gate City Bank, Goodhart and Associates, Haga Kommer CPAs, Knutson Companies, Lewis and Clark Development Group, Railway Credit Union, Rise Property Brokers, Security First Bank, and Starion Bank.

A special thank you to LPT Images for taking photos of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Business Pitch Challenges!