MENDOCINO Co., 6/18/19 — For the first time, thanks to West Business Development Center, a start-up business competition is being help in Mendocino County: local businesses will be part of a business bootcamp and pitch competition, and the winners will receive up to $10,000 in cash prizes to support getting their idea of the ground. Today, the 12 participants were announced, and ticket sales for the final pitch gala opened up, where you can vote on which business idea you think should get the prize.
Full disclosure — The Mendocino Voice applied to the competition, and was selected to be one of applicants — because we’d like to expand our coverage and transition our business into a sustainable model of community-supported local journalism, ensuring we’ll be here for you when you need us. So we want our readers to buy tickets for the August 25 gala, and vote! Tickets are only $10 and include refreshments and pitching fun. But we’d also love to see a new generation of businesses start up here in Mendocino County, and we’ll be doing our best to let you know about all the participants, and wish everyone the best.
Over 80 businesses applied, so competition was stiff — but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a plethora of great business ideas out there. If you are thinking about starting a new business, West Business Development Center can help with a free one-on-one business advising and other free resources: get in touch with them to get started.
Here’s the full announcement:
STARTUP MENDOCINO PARTICIPANTS
Press release from WBDC, June 18, 2019.
ACCEPTED TO BUSINESS BOOTCAMP AND PITCH COMPETITION,
EDFC COMES ON AS A SPONSOR, AND
TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR AUGUST 25th EVENT
Participants Announced:
West Business Development Center is proud to announce the 12 participants accepted to the Startup Mendocino Business Bootcamp and Pitch Competition. These 12 participants will go on to compete at a semi-final event for a chance to present at the August 25thCompetition Gala Event. They are:
Brian Newell, Footwear design
Lee White, Herbal tea product
Scott Strong, Plastic recycling product
Daniel Jordan, Defensible space projects
Lama Nasser, Organic food product
Michelle La Marr, Holistic wellness center
Lia Wilson, Co-working space
Jenny Burnstad, Natural Building Arts and Innovation Center
Alberto Alcado, Mobile tech repair
Kate Maxwell, Online newspaper
Zach Hughes, Commercial alcoholic beverage
Sarah Brownstone, Organic Chicken farm
Economic Development and Finance Corporation (EDFC) signs on as a Startup Mendocino Sponsor
We are very excited to announce that the EDFC has come on as a Startup Mendocino sponsor with the $1,250 fourth prize.
Tickets Go on Sale Today
For those who want to have a hand in determining who wins Startup Mendocino, tickets for the August 25th Competition Gala Event go on sale today. Every audience member will have a chance to cast their vote for which business they think is worthy of the grand prize. Tickets are $10 and include, beer, wine, refreshments, food and family-friendly entertainment.
Tickets are on sale here and here: https://www.westcenter.org/
workshops/2019/8/25/startup-mendocino-gala-event
What: Startup Mendocino Competition Gala Event
When: Sunday, August 25th from 3 to 6 pm
Where: Mendocino College Theater, Ukiah
Media contact: West Business Development Center, (707) 238-2108
Startup Mendocino is a Business Bootcamp and Pitch Competition is designed to spark new thinking about what is possible in Mendocino County through entrepreneurship. Startup Mendocino is sponsored by the West Business Development Center, America’s SBDC, The John and Sandra Mayfield Fund at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, Adventist Hospital, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Economic Development and Financing Corporation, Mendocino College, North Coast Brewery, Harvest Market, and the Ukiah, Coast and Willits Chambers of Commerce and The Coast, KOZT.
West Business Development Center is an SBDC and offers free one-on-one business advising and low-cost workshops to business from one to 100 in Mendocino County. http://www.westcenter.org
To sign up for free business advising go here: https://www.westcenter.org/getting-started
