Claire Marie receives the $16,600 winning check from Greg Price. Zoe Wagner photo
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 advisor for the SBDC “helping founders thrive.
All proceeds donated to the event from sponsors went directly to the businesses in the competition. Every single presenter from the evening was awarded money.
The audience mingles and gets drinks before MC Kasten Spethmann comes to stage. Zoe Wagner photo
Four highly qualified 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, returned as a judge from last year, and 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. Greg Price was working in renewable energy before founding a business and joining the SBDC. Tracy Bech, the final judge, is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Starboard Collective.
Last year’s Pitch Fest winners, Lindy and Alysa from Woodsy Craft Co, came back and talked about how the money helped their business. “We were a bit more nervous last year,” they laughed as they walked onto stage. Over the last year, Woodsy Craft Co, who make DIY craft kits, increased production after buying a sticker maker. This allowed them to start an upcoming partnership with a national art supply store. They also ran a booth at the Las Vegas Market at the end of January.
Fifty people applied for Pitch Fest, double the number of applicants from last year. These applications were narrowed down to five finalists who each gave a seven-minute presentation followed by a five-minute questioning period.
The first prize was $10,000, second received $3000, third received $1500, and fourth and fifth received $500. A $6000 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 Lee said.
Their goal is to move into the Alaskan Market. “We feel like Alaska has a lot of street cred,” Lee said.
Sammy & Friends, the second business, is founded and run by Claire Marie. “Empowering kids, supporting adults for big conversations around friends.” 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. “I felt I was hurting them by helping them,” she said.
“Our biggest challenge is making people know we exist,” shared Lee, something she was hopeful Pitch Fest would help with.
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. It sounded like White Horse would be looking into the skateboarding community next.
“Not only can you share something special, [you can] share culture,” White Horse said.
Meredith Martin, a serial entrepreneur, pitched her company Star Bars who makes shampoo and conditioner 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 get sold online, in gorge-based grocery stores, and at the local Hood River Farmers Market occasionally. They are sold in a set of $40 and individually for $22.
Debbie Hendrickx presents her company Swell Gelato alongside her dog gelato cart. Zoe Wagner photo
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,” shared Hendrickx. Her joyful demeanor reflected her statement, “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 an eagerly awaiting audience 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! Claire Marie said she was “so blown away and incredibly grateful, just so supported by my community.” When asked for a final message to share with the community, she said “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. Don’t shy away from the conversation but figure out how to do it.”
Star Bars placed second, Swell Gelato placed third, Ankhiale Outdoors placed fourth, and chan ’bla’ ska placed fifth. Every contestant walked away with some support to grow their gorge-based small businesses.
The sign outside the Granada Theater in the Dalles presents the Pitch Fest event. Zoe Wagner photo
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