May 9, 2024 |
Photo – Pitch Night Poster – Courtesy Rawlins DDA
The public is invited to come to the Parco-Sinclair Theater next week to watch five local small business owners compete for investment money.
On Wednesday, May 15th, the Parco-Sinclair Theatre will host the second annual Carbon County Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night. Five Carbon County entrepreneurs will take the stage and request seed money to expand their businesses.
Back in February, Rawlins Downtown Development Authority Mainstreet Executive Director Pam Thayer asked small business owners to apply for the event. The Start-Up Challenge committee reviewed all the applications and narrowed the field down to five finalists.
Thayer said various agencies from around the state teamed up to put on the Start-Up Challenge.
Thayer said thanks to the generosity of the event sponsors, the Carbon County Start-Up Challenge has $25,000 to distribute amongst the five finalists.
The entrepreneurs must prove to the judges that they can use the seed money to expand their businesses and provide employment opportunities in Carbon County.
In March, the Start-Up Challenge committee announced their five finalists. Thayer said the Hanna-based pizza company, Slow Poke’s Pizza Garage was chosen to compete for investment capital.
The next finalist is Hobo Diva Design. Thayer said the Rawlins-based company combines graphic design and custom clothing.
The third finalist is Bagels and Badges in Saratoga. Thayer said the former police officer is providing quality baked goods throughout Carbon County.
Last year’s finalist, Don Woolley is returning this year to request more money to develop his custom-built software. Thayer said Good Raising LLC creates wills for charities and non-profits across the country.
The fifth finalist is Dunn’s Customs. Thayer said having a local custom laser engraving and powder coating service is very convenient.
The five entrepreneurs will give presentations before a panel of three judges. Thayer said last year, two of the judges were Rawlins business owners and the third judge was from the University of Wyoming. “This year, only one local business owner will sit at the judges table”, said Thayer.
The 2024 Carbon County Start-Up Challenge Pitch Night is next Wednesday, May 15th at the Parco-Sinclair Theater. Doors open at 6:00pm. Attendance is free. Audience members can cast their vote for a small business to win the people’s choice award.
