Four business proposals will be competing for $10,000 in next month’s North Judson Business Pitch Competition. It’s designed to provide funding to startup businesses less than three years old, as well as companies looking to expand. Competitors will pitch their plans to a panel of judges in a public event on Saturday, September 19 at 7:00 p.m. at North Judson Town Hall.
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation says four applicants turned in the required paperwork by last week’s deadline. Over the next month, they’ll be working with the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center’s business advisor to put together their business plans and sharpen their presentations.
The winner will get a $5,000 cash prize, plus another $5,000 if they successfully launch or grow a business in the North Judson area. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the second- and third-place finishers.
The prize money was provided by Kirt and Elizabeth Verhagen, as a way to try to encourage growth in North Judson’s business community. They also hope to encourage banks or other people to chip in funding to keep holding business pitch competitions each year.
