By Zoe Wagner
Columbia Gorge News
THE GORGE — The second annual Gorge Pitch Fest was hosted on June 6 in the Dalles Granada Theatre. Pitch Fest was presented by the Wasco Innovation Initiative and sponsored by various businesses, including the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC), the event’s title sponsor.
Emcee Kasten Spethmann started by saying they were “showcasing some of the best and brightest new businesses in the area.” Spethmann is an adviser for SBDC.
All proceeds from sponsors went directly to the businesses in the competition. Every presenter from the evening was awarded money.
Four judges were introduced before the pitches began. James Martin, the first judge, is an entrepreneur and has appeared on the TV show "Shark Tank" twice. Lee Weinstien was the director of Nike’s communication department for 15 years before founding Weinstein PR. Greg Price, the third judge, is the director of the SBDC. He previously worked in renewable energy and as a part time professor at the University of Portland. Tracy Bech, the final judge, is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Starboard Collective.
Fifty people applied for Pitch Fest, double the number of applicants last year. These applications were narrowed down to five finalists who each gave a seven minute presentation followed by a five-minute question period.
The first prize was $10,000, second $3,000, third $1,500, and fourth and fifth received $500. A $6,000 bonus was available, donated by a local business. The audience-voted award was $600.
Kyle Lee, one of four co-owners, presented the company Ankhiale Outdoors. Their business idea emerged after an extreme outing adventure in 2012 they call the “Utah Trip of Death,” minus the death part. Lots went wrong and their takeaway was their need for heat.
“The whole idea is the heat comes from outside the tent,” said Lee. “We are cheaper and come in half the weight … [and] we are lighter, better, and stronger” than the competition.”
Sammy & Friends, “empowering kids, supporting adults for big conversations around friends,” the second business, is founded and run by Claire Marie. The business launched two years ago, focusing on how adults talk about safety matters with kids. “Kids should not be left helpless in case of emergencies,” said Marie.
After personal experience in classrooms during emergency drills, Marie realized the lack of preparation or warnings children have. “Our biggest challenge is making people know we exist,” said Lee.
Shane White Horse was the third presenter, seeking funding for their company chan ’bla’ ska, an indigenous lifestyle brand. White Horse was wearing the brand’s t-shirts during the pitch, as they painted a picture of the brand’s target audience.
“Not only can you share something special, [you can] share culture,” White Horse said.
Meredith Martin, a serial entrepreneur, pitched her shampoo and conditioner bar company Star Bars. Martin highlighted the environmental benefit of Star Bars and how they replace two traditional bottles of shampoo or conditioner.
“I didn’t want to be surrounded by so much plastic,” Martin said. Back when Martin initially found a company that made shampoo and conditioner bars, she was so excited she called the company to ask for a job. They didn’t offer her one.
The bars are sold online, in Gorge-based grocery stores, and occasionally at Hood River Farmers Market.
The final pitch was from Debbie Hendrickx, presenting her company Swell Gelato for dogs. The company launched eight years ago after Hendrickx left her corporate job. She bought a factory in the Dalles to manufacture the Gelato and has not looked back. Last year Swell Gelato was named the 2023 Nano Business of Year by the Oregon Small Business Association. “My gelato is not trying to solve any big problems, but it is bringing joy,” said Hendrickx. “There is a market for happy moments.”
Hendrickx said the money Swell Gelato sought at the competition would go to a new air conditioner if she won. She promised her workers a swell working environment, “not a sweltering environment.”
After the audience had time to vote and the judges conferred over the finalists, they came back to announce the winners.
The first place winner was Sammy & Friends. They also received the bonus award and the audience award, totaling to $16,600.
“It really matters how we talk to kids about safety … we have to talk to kids about safety, but we really need to do it well,” Marie said. “Don’t shy away from the conversation but figure out how to do it.”
Star Bars placed second, Swell Gelato third, Ankhiale Outdoors placed fourth, and chan ’bla’ ska fifth. Every contestant walked away with some support to grow their Gorge-based small businesses.
Full story at columbiagorgenews.com.
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